Director's Note
Celebrating Worldwide Recognition and Awe in NYC!
This past week, I had the absolute privilege of traveling to New York City for the All American High School Film Festival alongside some of the most talented young filmmakers in the world. I don't say that lightly—we brought home the receipts to prove it!
Watching our students in action across the city was nothing short of inspirational. In under three days, they shot, animated, edited, and cut an entire film from scratch. Seeing them capture magic in Grand Central Station, down in the subways, and across Central Park was remarkable. Our animators took raw footage and created a surreal visual overlay representing the main character’s inner spark and love for life. I will forever be in awe of their ability to curl up in a corner of a coffee shop and build entire worlds out of raw pixels.
Out of thousands of entries submitted from around the globe, eight NESA films were selected for the festival, with three receiving major award nominations:
Brady King was nominated for the Maverick Award for Innovation in Film.
Christian Castaneda was nominated for the Editing Award.
Joshua Najera earned FIVE total nominations, including being named one of the top five student filmmakers to watch. His film, Moral, was honored as one of the top ten films across all categories worldwide!
Working with the brilliant talent at NESA leaves me pinching myself on a daily basis. While we see their incredible dedication every day, having their blood, sweat, tears, and soul lauded on a worldwide stage is a deeply gratifying reminder of what makes our school so special.
Thank you to our parents, teachers, and community for supporting these artists as they take on the world.
pARTners News
VIP Tickets End Monday, October 26
The NESA 30 Celebration will be here before we know it-- only 2 weeks away! We wanted to a share a few new exciting details about the special VIP event for our VIP ticket holders and sponsors as we come near to closing online sales. Not only do you get our tickets from our premiere ticket block in the auditorium, but you will have special access to live performances in the Black Box, which has been reimagined in our an Ice Cave for one night only! Tickets are available in the bio on Square. See you there!
Please Volunteer during Frozen Performances!
We've got lots of options for Volunteering during Frozen performances! Of course, you can still do Concessions and help us with our largest fundraiser!! You can also work backstage, volunteer in the lobby and donate snacks to help all the students stay fresh and energized! Check out our sign up genius and see where you can fit it in!
Volunteer Starting Oct 31 through Nov 5 for Frozen Set Up!
We'd love to have volunteers to help with Decorating the PAC Lobby into a magical ice cave! We also need volunteers to help get the kids fed quickly and efficiently during the week leading up to the show every day! Check it out!
Frozen Tickets Nov. 6 through Nov. 15 Online Now!
Hop online and get your tickets to Frozen in the PAC running from Nov. 6 through Nov. 15 each weekend. We have two different casts for Elsa & Anna - catch Isabella Cervera & Clara Sankey on Friday 11/6 and Sunday 11/8 & Saturday 11/14 and catch Myla Clayton & Shanti Lopetegui on Saturday 11/7, Friday 11/13 & Sunday 11/15. Bring your friends and loved ones to enjoy this magical show!
SAEF Scholarship Open until November 11
The NESA Student Artistic Enrichment Fund (SAEF) was created in 2006. Funds are available to eligible NESA students of NESA pARTners members, as of September 30, 2026. SAEF provides access to enhanced training and opportunities beyond the curriculum NESA provides. Find out more and apply today! Deadline November 11 to apply.
Shake Shack Fundraiser Wednesday!!!
Don't miss out on this fantastic double win this week! Order Shake Shack on Wednesday and save yourself the time of meal prep & raise money for NESA pARTners and your students! Share this with family and friends! You know the drill - mention NESA pARTners and we get 25% back on all purchases that day at the location near North Star Mall. Thank you so much!!
NESA Applications for 2027-28 School Year Due Oct. 30 (Round One)
If you have anyone in your life considering NESA for next school year, please share that the applications are due October 30 - this Friday! There are two more rounds this year, so they didn't miss it. But if they want to have NESA as an option, why wait?
Concessions Donations Needs before Frozen!
Help us stock up before our two weekends of shows by donating concessions items through the Amazon wish list! Here are the items we especially need!
Silent Auction starting in November Preview!!
We are so excited to share some highlights and teasers for the upcoming Silent Auction benefiting pARTners & NESA students! 4 Tickets to Shakespeare in the Park & backstage tour of the Delacorte Theatre in New York City! 2 Season Passes to Wonder Theater's 2027 season! Private wine tasting class at Total Wine! Free bowling for 4 at PInstack with an appetizer! 1 hour of play and rentals plus appetizers at Chicken & Pickle!! These are just a few of our exciting options! Check back next week and will share it all!