The Portfolio Class at Studio Arts Dallas helps students ace their Arts Magnet auditions.

Last week was a big one for some happy eighth graders—make that soon-to-be-freshmen. Dylan King, Lakewood resident Claire McStravick, Anna Grinaldi, Samantha Twine, and Estrella Thomas received letters of acceptance from Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (affectionately known as "Booker T," "the Arts Magnet," or just "Arts").

And the first person they called with the good news was their friend and mentor, Barley Vogel, at Studio Arts Dallas (formerly Lakewood Arts). Lakewood area resident Vogel is the director and lead instructor of The Portfolio Class that prepares students for the challenging audition and portfolio review required for acceptance at the Arts Magnet school.