and ended in June 2003. In 2011, East added the Institute for the Fine Arts, a specialized study program in vocal and instrumental music performance. In 2013, visual arts were added to the Institute's offerings, with theatre arts coming in 2015. In 2019, as part of the school's expanding offerings in fine arts, a series of renovations created an orchestra pit for the auditorium, turned former computer lab space into a dance/acting studio, and provided new art and design facilities. Demographics The school is approximately 32.7% white and 44.2% Hispanic, and 9.9% Black. Other races make up the remainder of the school. Gender distribution is about equal. Over sixty percent of East students qualify for free or reduced lunch. Incidents 1999 mercury spill In March 1999, a 14-year old student stole a small amount of mercury from a chemistry department storage compartment. The chemical made its way to nearby Riviera Lanes, where the school took students bowling for gym classes, and students poured it on lanes and into bowling balls. 88 individuals, mostly students, were treated for contamination, and the school remained closed for two days afterward. Riviera Lanes also shut down, but was reopened in time for a bowling tournament, and all the owner lost was "109 pairs of shoes." 2006 attempted school shooting In September 2006, three men were arrested for planning a shooting at East. One had been upset at being rejected by a girl and said that he was going to "shoot the place up" Columbine-style. The student said that his plan grew from the constant bullying he had received at the school. The would-be attack was foiled when a senior who was an acquaintance of the suspects learned of the plan and reported it to school administrators. Police found nine rifles and shotguns, homemade explosives, camouflage clothing, two-way radios, and "hundreds of rounds of ammunition" in the students' houses. All three men were charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree intentional homicide and conspiracy to commit damage of property by use of explosives, while one received additional charges for possessing homemade explosives and a sawed-off shotgun. They served three to six years in prison. Extra-curricular activities Academic and career-focused FBLA DECA SkillsUSA National FFA Organization National Honor Society Upward Bound AVID Academic Decathlon Performance Rhapsody in Red, a competitive show choir. The school also hosts a show choir festival, called Show Choir Sh'Bango. Dancing Devilettes (the