Freestyle Academy held its first open night of the year this past Thursday at the Freestyle Academy campus, situated between Mountain View High School and the district office. students got a chance to present the projects they’ve worked on since the beginning of the year.

Megan Yama, an MVHS junior interested in art and design, presented her photo haiku project during the exhibition along with an experimental film she created in her film class. Both projects were based on a unique concept statement assigned to her in English class: “I am exploring the feeling of loneliness through the experience of loss.”

“I like the freedom you have to express yourself. It’s different. It’s an experience you can never have at normal schools,” Yama (pictured left in red) said.

Another member of Freestyle, MVHS senior David Niehaus, is passionate about his future in graphic design. Niehaus credits Freestyle with helping him discover a future in graphic design, his target college major.. A project he is currently working on is a profile piece about a man at his church.

“I wouldn’t take anything back. I’ve learned so much here,” Niehaus said.

Freestyle Academy film teacher Matt Taylor (pictured right) described the Open House night as casual and meant mainly for parents and friends to see what students are working on. The main exhibition night for Freestyle will take place in February when students will get the chance to present their work at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View. Films will run on the theatre screens, websites will be displayed on computers, and artwork will be printed and mounted on walls for all to enjoy.

“Hundreds and thousands of people show up and fill the entire theatre. It’s a huge show,” Taylor said.