Flash Mob Erupts at City Council Meeting

LJR would be the talk of the evening after performing a flash mob at the city council meeting in San Bernardino on Monday, Oct. 21. The flash mob was invited by the office of City Councilmember Robert Jenkins to prove the need for the arts and encourage additional city-wide efforts to fund additional free after school programs to the city’s youth. LJR Academy of Arts was founded by Lynnzora Rogers a few years ago, after she double majored and graduated with degrees in English and Theater from California State University, San Bernardino. Rogers volunteered for a few art programs in the area before deciding she wanted to dive into the world of non-profit organizations and extend a helping hand to youth turning to the streets. Joining Lynnzora in the cause was PAL Center Charter School. Most of PAL Center Charter School’s students have been able to balance school with their choice of art expression because it allows them to express themselves, according to event organizers. With the persistence of Jacquelyn White, Program Manager, and Principal Becky Sumbaro, PAL Center collaborated with Rogers and attended the council meeting to express their opinions and vocally support the arts. Arroyo Valley High School math teacher Lawrence Hardy attended with his Arroyo Valley Steppers Crew. Also in attendance was Lynnzora’s mentor and LJR Advisor, CSUSB Theater Professor Kathy Ervin, who shared she has always encouraged the importance of the arts to her students. During the presentations the audience applauded the students for the montage of acts, which included participants like ballet dancers, step dancers, a gospel singer, Shakespearean acting and a rap performance by Torey Fugate. Rogers urged the council to remember how important the arts are and the good it does for the children in many different aspects, mainly, she said, “in contributing to children’s intellectual awareness of their goals and surroundings, which results in making better life choices.” [END] Kimberly’s original article: LJR Academy of Arts Flash Mob at San Bernardino City Council Meeting was the evening’s highlight. LJR would be the talk of the evening after performing a flash mob at the city council meeting in San Bernardino on Monday. Invited by the office of City Councilmember Robert Jenkins, the flash mob was invited to prove the need for the arts and why the city should put forth more of an effort to fund much needed program such as LJR that provides free after school art classes to the children in the high risk low income neighborhood it resides. LJR Academy of Arts was founded by Lynnzora Rogers a few years ago after double majoring and graduating in English and Theater from California State University, San Bernardino. She volunteered for a few art programs in the area before deciding she wanted to dive into the world of nonprofit and gear up the process of helping these kids whose other options are to turn to the streets for attention. Joining Lynnzora in the cause would be the PAL Center located in San Bernardino a charter school that caters to students who found high school to be a bit more challenging socially and academically as the average kids. Most of these children have been able to balance school with their choice of art because it allows them to express themselves. Relieving them of any additional events that may be blocking their path to academic success. With the persistence of Jacquelyn White, Program Manager and Principal Becky Sumbaro PAL Center have collaborated with Lynnzora Rogers and attended the Council Meeting as well in order to express their opinions and support of the Arts. Arroyo Valley High School Math teacher Lawrence Hardy would attend with his Arroyo Valley Steppers Crew. Also, in attendance was Lynnzora’s mentor and LJR Advisor CSUSB Theater Professor Kathy Ervin who has always encouraged the importance of the arts to her students and was more than happy to support. During the presentations the audience would applaud the students for the montage of acts that would prove their point with a graceful ballet dancer, flawless steppers, gospel singer, Shakespearean acting and an inspirational rap by young artist Torey Fugate. Lynnzora would address the councilmen and women by urging them to remember how important the arts are and the good it does for the children in many different aspects but mainly it contributes to children becoming more intellectually aware of their goals and surroundings which results in making better life choices. In the end, the phenomenal students, the supporting principal, the assertive program manager, the inspirational young teacher, and the exponent of the arts would gather together on stage and demand the respect and acknowledgement the arts deserve. Councilmen Jenkins would thank the children and Lynnzora by agreeing there should be more of an effort to be more supportive and awareness of the arts. The students would leave feeling accomplished but more importantly heard.