September 20, 2010 — On September 13, students at the Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies (LACES) started the new school year admiring their renovated campus.
“The brightness of the school was the first thing I noticed and I’m proud of my school,” Rachel Choi, a sophomore at LACES, said.
“In my history class, there are new desks and even a smart board!” Amit Tsanhani, also a sophomore, exclaimed. “I think this school makeover changed LACES positively and shows more school spirit.”
The makeover was sponsored by the National Broadcasting Company (NBC) and according to Dr. Margaret Kim, the principal of LACES, the school was chosen because of its good academics and campus improvement needs. The week-long makeover started late June and ended with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 6.
Renovations included improvements to the music room, cooking room, auditorium, and the quad. Fine stones were neatly placed in the quad with a waterfall for the students to have a nice place to hang out. The main buildings of the school were painted royal blue and teachers were offered colors to choose from to repaint their classrooms.
According to Dr. Kim, about a thousand volunteers of school staff members, teachers, students, and family and community members helped during the makeover week. Volunteers received a t-shirt with a wristband and were assigned a room number to work on such as by sweeping and cleaning, painting, and more. Even students and friends from other high schools came to help and admired the changes.
“I think the LACES campus is nice,” Andrea Martinez, a sophomore from Hamilton High School, said. “Even before this makeover, I liked how LACES has a nice indoor swimming pool and gym unlike other high schools.”
Many LACES students seeing their campus again for the first time since the summer makeover were amazed and thankful for the great way to start a new school year.
