By Zach Horowitz
Staff Writer
The Mira Costa Vocal Ensemble welcomed State Senator Ben Allen to office on Saturday, Jan. 17 at Santa Monica High School by performing in the swearing-in ceremony.
The people of California elected Allen last November to represent the 26th District of California, which includes the Westside and coastal South Bay communities of Los Angeles County. Holly E. Kendig from the Superior Court of Los Angeles County swore Allen in during the ceremony.
“Senator Ben Allen is a huge proponent of the arts and arts education, so he wanted to give students, representing different parts of his Senate district, the opportunity to participate in his oath-of-office ceremony,” consultant of the Joint Committee of the Arts Lauren Pizer Mains said.
Mira Costa’s Vocal Ensemble attended to represent Manhattan Beach. Other musical groups in Allen’s district attended the ceremony including the Santa Monica High School Choir and Orchestra and the Hollywood Youth Orchestra.
“We are very honored to be representing the South Bay as part of the swearing ceremony of State Senator Ben Allen,” choir teacher Michael Hayden said. “His love for the arts was evidenced by the number of school and community arts programs that participated.”
The Mira Costa Vocal Ensemble sang the national anthem and “God Bless America” in front of friends and families.
“The evening was amazing and the student performance from Mira Costa brought the house down,” Pizer Mains said. “They were amazing and everyone was very proud of the talented kids in our district.”
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