Building Bridges Through Art: CVHS and Mountain View Students Bring “Pet Pals” to Life

February is Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month, a national celebration of programs that prepare students for high-wage, high-demand careers while allowing them to explore their unique passions. In our district, CTE is about more than just textbooks; it’s about hands-on experience, community connection, and professional growth.

To kick off our month-long series of program highlights, we are diving into the world of Design and Applied Arts.

This school year, students at Crescent Valley High School (CVHS) and Mountain View Elementary proved that art is a universal language. The collaboration began this fall at Mountain View, where elementary students worked with art teacher Anicia Criscione to design original, thematic characters they called “Pet Pals.” These imaginative drawings served as the inspiration for the CVHS ceramics students.

Under the guidance of art teacher Keith Moses, the high school artists took on the professional challenge of translating 2D concepts into 3D reality. Using clay and glazing techniques, the CVHS students meticulously sculpted and fired each “Pet Pal,” ensuring they stayed true to the original vision of their young “clients.”

In January, the project came full circle at a special event hosted by Mountain View Elementary, where students met many of the high school ceramic artists who helped turn their drawings into 3D creations. 

Earlier in the term, CVHS students also helped the Mountain View students hand-build their own ceramic ice cream bowls. To wrap up the project, the entire school community gathered for a school-wide ice cream sundae social. Families were invited to view the artwork on display and to share a treat from the very bowls the students had created.

More Than Just Art

While the “Pet Pals” project is a beautiful story of mentorship, it is also a cornerstone of our Design and Applied Arts CTE program. These classes do more than teach students how to create; they teach problem-solving, project management, and communication skills, essential tools for any future career.

Stay tuned throughout February as we continue to highlight the diverse CTE programs helping our students build their futures!

Learn more about our CTE programs here: Career & Technical Education (CTE)