Page 2 August 23, 2018
Entertainment
Check It Out
Library Helps Former Teenage
Father to Make a Better Life
By Lynn Brainard
Inglewood Public Library and Career Online
High School gave a 38-year-old student
a second chance at success.
At 38 years old, Ramon Llamas is well on his way to earning his
high school diploma from Inglewood Public Library and Career
Online High School. Read his story below:
When Ramon Llamas was in high school,
he received some surprising news from his
then-girlfriend: he was going to become a
father. Ramon wanted to do the right thing
and provide for his young family. He dropped
out of high school and began working manual
jobs knowing that once he left the classroom,
it was unlikely that he’d find another path
back to it.
Flash-forward almost two decades and
Ramon’s now-wife had more exciting news
for him. She too has enrolled in the accredited
high school completion program through
the public library called Career Online High
School (COHS). The program is free to adult
learners aged 19 years and older who qualify.
It allowed Ramon to work on the lessons on
his own schedule because it’s all online. He
was also given an academic coach who helped
him stay on track and remain motivated. If
he needed help with a lesson, the coach put
Ramon in touch with a certified instructor
Inglewood Library.
who further assisted with the material.
The Inglewood Public Library started
offering the program as a way to “lift the
neighborhood to new heights of achievement
and success,” according to Associate Librarian
Tommy Vinh.Bui. “We recognized a need
within the community and were enthused
to receive such a positive response once we
began this educational initiative,” he shared.
Just hearing about the possibility of finishing
something he started long ago was enough
to spur Ramon to action. He reached out
to the library, completed all the necessary
steps to qualify and was granted a scholarship
by the library. Since then, he has
been responsive and kept in regular contact
with his academic coach as he progresses
throughout the program. Each student is given
up to 18 months to complete the program,
but it can be finished sooner by transferring
in high school credits previously earned.
Although he’s not quite finished, Ramon
already has plans to continue his education
at a local college, and he’s started working a
part-time job with hopes to secure a regular
full-time position with the County of Los
Angeles. He loves the COHS program and
believes it has contributed to his drive for
a better future.
Ramon is one of nine students currently
taking advantage of this educational service
provided to Inglewood residents through
their local library. That’s an all-time high
for the library, and interest in the program
is robust. Along with earning an accredited
high school diploma, graduates receive a
career certificate in one of 10 employment
fields, making them career-ready as well.
“We’re proud of students like Ramon who
are working towards their educational goals,
and we are excited to continue to enrich the
lives of our community members,” added
Bui. “Our students are engaged and committed
and the feedback has been positive
from the academic coaches. We are thrilled
that our first graduation will be imminent.”
To get started with Career Online High
School, email the library at COHS@cityofinglewood.
org. •
Watch Ed Sheeran Create His Most
Personal Work in Songwriter
By Morgan Rojas
for www.cinemacy.com
Ed Sheeran fans rejoice: the English
singer-songwriter is getting candid by inviting
viewers to take an intimate look into his artistic
process in the documentary, Songwriter.
Directed by his cousin, Murray Cummings,
the documentary follows Sheeran throughout
the creation of his chart-topping album
“÷” (divide) which, after just one week
on sale, became the biggest-selling album
of 2017. From early jam sessions in his tour
van to brainstorming lyrics and chords with
friends in Malibu, Songwriter is the ultimate
film for Sheeran groupies, music fans and
anyone pursuing a creative passion.
Ed Sheeran is more than just a talented
singer – that we know. His songs have found
their way on to multiple “Best Of” lists and
his last record, “x” (multiply), earned him
his first number one spot on the Billboard
200. But what sets him apart from others in
the industry -- besides his shaggy red hair
and colorful tattoos -- is the authenticity in
his music and his poetic way with words.
Sheeran is involved in writing all of his
own songs. It’s a process that is taxing yet
ultimately rewarding and fascinating to see
play out on the big screen.
The phrase “it takes a village” is at the
core of Sheeran’s success, and the film
does a fantastic job of showing how much
he values and depends on collaboration and
input from his creative team, which includes
musician Foy Vance, producer Benny Blanco
and his brother Matthew, among other singersongwriters.
Seeing (and hearing) their ideas
bouncing around the room gives off a vibe
of infectious happiness and an “anything is
possible” attitude. Much like the Showtime
documentary, Lost Songs: The Basement
Tapes Continued, Songwriter is an equally
powerful look into the writing and recording
process that is neither as glamorous nor as
easy as one may think.
Director Murray Cummings incorporates
archival footage from Ed’s younger days
that shows just how far back his passion
for music goes. We see him learning how
to play multiple instruments, get a glimpse
into his family home life, and revisit his high
school days. Seeing Sheeran’s determination
and grit to get to where he is today will only
gain him more respect as an artist.
Songwriter plays also like a private acoustic
concert for an hour and a half. Sheeran’s
talent is undeniable -- even when dressed in
a green t-shirt, blue plaid pajama pants and
fuzzy moccasins. His soothing and uplifting
voice is always on point, a juxtaposition
that makes for some (perhaps unintentionally)
funny moments.
I personally will never tire of music
documentaries, and Songwriter is a beautifully
composed and inspiring addition to
this genre. Fun fact: at one point Sheeran
admits that this is the first time he has ever
written a song on camera -- an act that typically
leaves him feeling self-conscious. Songwriter
made its North American premiere
in the Documentary Spotlight category at
the Tribeca Film Festival, and just before
the screening, was acquired by Apple in a
seven-figure deal for worldwide distribution.
Above all else, Sheeran shows that his story
is just getting started, which should excite
fans everywhere.
Songwriter is not rated. 84 minutes. Opening
this Friday at ArcLight Hollywood and
streaming exclusively on Apple Music on
August 28. •
Film Review
Morgan Rojas.
Songwriter, Courtesy of Abramorama.
“Music is a powerful tool in
galvanizing people around an issue.
There’s no better way to get your point
across than to put it in a beautiful song.”
– Ed Sheeran