By Mary O’KEEFE

Clark Magnet High School held its Clark Expo on Saturday. The high school specializes in science but offers so much more with cinematography and government classes that challenge students to move beyond books and into real life experience.

Clark is part of the Glendale Unified School District and is a magnet school that has an enrollment based on a lottery system. Students throughout the district can apply through their middle schools, on the website or by visiting the GUSD office in Glendale. (See information at the end of this article)

On Saturday current students along with teachers were on hand to answer questions from parents and students who were considering attending the high school.

Samuel Witt and Eden Morris, both juniors at Clark, are part of the school’s robotic team. They answered questions from curious students on their robotic program and invited them to tour the lab on campus.

Each year Clark Robotic Team 696 competes in the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition in Science and Technology) competition. They receive instructions concerning the rules and regulations on the game that will be played and within six weeks they build a robot to compete in that game.

“I like [robotics],” Morris said. “I have made a bunch of friends and have learned how to use so many machines.”

Witt said he just knows he does not want a career where he will sit in a cubicle. Constructing and engineering the robot is nowhere near a sedentary life and is why Witt likes robotics.

Parents and future students were able to see how the school works on underwater engineering projects and how to build a bridge in the physics room. They also got a glimpse at student life with clubs.

KATS (Kids Against Tobacco Smoking) Club members shared their mission with Expo visitors.

“We talk and learn about the [negative effects of] smoking and drugs,” said Andre Garcia, a freshman KATS member.

Ray Ellinwood, junior and president of KATS, said the club reaches out to middle schools to talk to students about the dangers of tobacco and drugs. He felt having someone closer to the students’ age talking to them about this issue means more.

“They learn from us,” he said.

Other clubs were represented including PAWS for a Cause whose members work every year with Relay for Life of the Foothills to help support research and bring awareness to cancer and Kids 4 A Cause, whose members raise funds to support children with cancer at Children’s Hospital L.A.

Those interested in applying for the 2016-17 school year at Clark Magnet High School must do so by Jan. 31. To get the application online visit www. https://gusdmagnetandflag.com/apply/; call the GUSD office at (818) 241-3111, ext. 1236; contact the office at local middle schools or at the GUSD office located at 223 N. Jackson St., Glendale.

Clark Magnet High School is located at 4747 New York Ave., La Crescenta 91214.

  Mary Okeefe