Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Education topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Freestyle students honored and showcase program; director highlights exhibition, AI and transport challenges
Summary
At the May 4 board meeting Freestyle Academy students Jack Clark and Jerry Leang received student awards and program director Leo Fendo gave an overview of student projects and upcoming exhibition, while flagging AI and student‑transportation as recruitment challenges.
The board meeting on May 4 featured a Freestyle Academy spotlight that included student awards for Jack Clark and Jerry Leang and a longer presentation by Freestyle director Leo Fendo on May 21 exhibition plans and program highlights.
Jack Clark received recognition for notable growth in animation, storytelling and collaborative projects. Teachers praised his progress in English and animation classes; Jack described how he made a layered 3D art piece and explained the worldbuilding behind his work, saying the composition’s “main message … is that it’s inevitable that humans and technology will likely merge, but it’s not inevitable for them to rule your whole lives.”
Jerry Leang was named Freestyle student of the year; teachers commended his design leadership, volunteering and contributions to campus culture. Both students showcased projects that included stop‑motion animation, 3D models on student webpages and group worldbuilding efforts.
Director Leo Fendo gave an extended presentation on Freestyle’s guest speakers, student productions, the program’s recording studios and the May 21 exhibition (5:00–8:30 p.m.) plus a film screening and the May 28 graduation. Fendo said Freestyle’s graduates have gone on to industry placements and outlined two ongoing challenges: adapting instruction and assessment in response to AI tools for animation and media, and improving transportation and outreach to bring more students from partner campuses to the Freestyle facility.
Trustees praised the students’ work and asked facilities and administration to explore transportation options and outreach to increase participation from Los Altos students. Fendo invited trustees and the community to the May 21 exhibition and noted the program’s 20th anniversary event planned for Aug. 22.
What happens next: Freestyle will host its May exhibition and administration will continue to look at options to address transportation barriers and AI’s instructional implications.
