On Tuesday night, during a special session of the Paso Robles Joint Unified School District’s Board of Trustees, the best and brightest in the visual and performing arts department at Paso Robles High School was on display.

During the annual VAPA study session, teachers from throughout the department honored high achievers and students in all disciplines — art, ceramics, vocal and instrumental music, dance and drama — showcased their best work of the year. Officials also took time out to recognize teachers, administrators and even board member Pat Johnson who are retiring or leaving the program.

The evening began with the recognition of the VAPA graduate, Sarah Lambie Greenman. Greenman graduated from PRHS in 1995, and during her time at the high school was involved athletics, playing basketball and tennis, and was very active in the drama department, being the first student ever to be the director of a school play and the first student to be a finalist at the Drama Teachers Association of Southern California festival.

Greenman earned a BA in creative writing from Mills College, where she was awarded the Gertrude Hung Chan Playwrighting Prize for her original play, “Leni,” based on the life of German filmmaker Leni Riefenstahl.

Her first professional play, “LENI,” produced in Portland and Seattle, earned her the honor of being invited to have her play performed at the New York City Fringe Festival. Of the 23 plays produced at the Fringe Festival, only “LENI” was chosen to be produced in New York as part of the 2009 season and published with DPS Publishing Company.

Greenman, who lives in Dallas, Texas, with her husband and son, couldn’t be in attendance Tuesday. Her father, PRHS drama teacher John Lambie, accepted the award on her behalf and read a prepared statement she’d sent thanking PRHS staff for the recognition, particularly VAPA department chair Jack Mettier who nominated her for the award.

“Thank you to Jack Mettier and the Paso Robles High School arts department for honoring my achievements in theater,” Lambie read on his daughter’s behalf. “It’s been a big year for my little play. LENI has been produced in Portland, Ore., Seattle, Wash., had a successful run in the New York International Fringe Festival and is slated for another run in Seattle this summer. I grew up in a family that encouraged my artistic ambitions, but it was the Paso Robles High School arts department that focused that ambition and launched me towards a professional education that would only sharpen my talents.”

Prior to handing out student awards, master of ceremonies and PRHS art teacher Kelly Clark took time to recognize staff members who were retiring or leaving. Among those honored were Lambie, PRHS English teacher and former drama teacher Glen Smeltzer, Lewis Middle School band teacher Ken Schmutz and PRHS principal Ed Railsback, who are all retiring. The group also recognized the contributions of dance teacher Daphne Benavides, who is leaving the area after teaching dance at PRHS for 15 years, and board member Pat Johnson, whose resignation will be effective June 30.

All were presented with a token of appreciation for their contributions, and all expressed thanks for their time working with students in Paso Robles.

“It has been my honor and pleasure to be a teacher in this district for 38 years,” Smeltzer told the audience. “These kids are the reason I teach and have such passion [for education].”

Schmutz, who taught at PRHS from 1989 to 1995 before moving to LMS, echoed those sentiments.

“I feel very blessed to have had a passion for education for a number of years,” he said. “I want to thank the board and this community for the support you’ve given me. It’s been an honor and a privilege to teach here.”

Lambie has taught for 36 years, 28 years in Paso Robles.

“I love kids,” he said. “I wanted to be a teacher when I was in junior high. My mother was a teacher, and she was inspirational to me. I’ve always loved school and I still do. I firmly believe that if you do something with passion you’ll be successful and if you do something you love you’ll be happy.”

Benavides also said she’s enjoyed working with students in the PRHS dance studio.

“When I was training to become a teacher, I was asked to write about why I wanted to teach and why school is important,” she told the audience. “My goal as a teacher is to make young people believe in themselves. Believe they are capable of striving father than they have been and achieving more than they ever thought they could. That’s always been the driving force behind my teaching and I hope I’ve touched the kids and inspired them in that way.”

Next, students were honored by the teachers in their respective areas of the arts. Fifteen students were recognized in general art, 11 in advanced art, 13 in dance, four in ceramics, four in drama, 12 in instrumental music and six in vocal music. The ceremony also included performances from the PRHS jazz band, students in the drama program and the ladies of Bella Vocé.

For more information on PRHS and the VAPA department, visit the district’s Web site at www.pasoschools.org.





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