Performing at the Peach Blossom Festival of Oral Interpretation was a pivotal moment for Cat Ortiz. It was Ortiz’s chance to be a little star on the big stage.
“I remember feeling really excited to finally be able to go,” Ortiz said. “As soon as we found out which poem we would be reciting, I practiced every day to make sure my lines were memorized.”
That was 12 years ago. Now, Ortiz is a Fresno State student coordinator for the festival.
The 68th annual Peach Blossom Festival of Oral Interpretation welcomes elementary school students from across the Valley to share in the joys of literature and performance on March 19 and 20 at Fresno State. Performances begin at 9:30 a.m. on March 19 and 10 a.m. on March 20.
Cat Ortiz
Ortiz is one of many Fresno State students working hard to ensure that more elementary students in the Central Valley have the opportunity to participate. The Peach Blossom Festival is a chance for youth to practice their communication and performance skills and an opportunity for Fresno State student organizers to give voice to their community.
“Getting to go up on stage with my friends and show off how hard we worked was such an unforgettable moment,” Ortiz said. “I’ll never forget how proud our teacher looked, especially after receiving such kind feedback from our judges.”
During the festival, that experience is repeated countless times as the halls and classrooms of Fresno State buildings are filled with performances from about 4,000 elementary students from 120 Valley schools taking center stage.
The Peach Blossom Festival began in 1959 and is hosted by the Department of Communication at Fresno State. It is organized by Fresno State students with the direction and oversight of faculty members Christopher Moss and LaDonna Hayes.
(Story by Bailee Oliva)