Schools

Ribbon Cutting: Sandra Cisneros at EP School

The author got over her own fears of public-speaking to charm the children and parents at the new Sandra Cisneros Learning Academy.

Novelist Sandra Cisneros warned the crowd.

Talking from the stage at the ribbon cutting for the new school in Echo Park that bears her name wasn't easy.

Like so many others, she doesn't like public speaking.

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And she told the crowd that straight up--in English and Spanish-- when master of ceremonies Bennett Kayser called her to the stage briefly to address the crowd.

Cisneros was also back on stage later for the ribbon-cutting and seemed more relaxed.

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But she did best one-on-one, clearly serving as an inspiration as she signed copies of The House on Mango Street for sixth graders before the ceremony, and mingled gregariously afterwards at a reception.

The many Spanish-speaking students and parents in the crowd seemed particularly moved to have an award-winning author in their midst.

Second grade student Julian Lopez and seventh grade stuent Lailani Ramirez were among those who also made shorts remarks from the podium, along with Julia Perez, a parent.

LAUSD board president Monica Garcia, LAUSD superintendent John Deasy, former LAUSD trustee David Tokofsky, Greater Echo Park Elysian Neighborhood Council President Jose Sigala and CD 13's Mitchell O'Farrell were just some who came to celebrate the opening.

Check the site later for more pictures from photographer Gary Leonard of the event.


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