GT REC Center's The Studio Grand Opening, A Blast

The Grand Terrace (GT) REC Center’s “The Studio” celebrated its grand opening with a community welcoming on Valentine’s Day, Saturday, Feb. 14. The Studio is an extension of the REC Center, according to Executive Director of the GT REC Center Jennifer Araiza. The Studio, in which Araiza referred to as a “creative arts and music studio” will offer different services and classes on vocals, piano, guitar, painting and drawing. “This was really to celebrate what we already have,” she explained. The event, running from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., consisted of a myriad of treats, entertainment, activities and crafts filled with Valentines Day fun. To celebrate the Studio’s main purpose, there were many different live performances by various local artists and an art show filled with pieces by the community. They had a set up called the "Art Stars" where students had the opportunity to paint their very own master piece and hang it up for all community members to see. “We even had a Michael Jackson impersonator who performed,” Araiza added. Also, a performance by local youth coalition "Rebuilders of TDAY". The GT REC Center's very own Minnie Cheerleaders performed their very own routine as they followed the lead of Coach Jacqueline Bulgar. The performance schedule started at noon while other festivities were also going on so all attendees could sit and enjoy entertainment or roam around to participate in other activities. “It was really amazing. The whole event was really self-paced other than the performance schedule,” Araiza said explaining all of the fun activities and performances that the attendees were able to visit. Over 200 people piled in to participate in the event. One of many festivities was the cupcake contest in which eighth grader Robi Martin took home first place as "Best Overall" for her delicious tasting and cute looking Mickey and Minnie-themed cupcakes.