Lone Hill Middle School Debuts High-Energy Back-to-School Video: Teachers and Staff Parody Chappell Roan’s “Hot to Go”
San Dimas, CA – August 29, 2025 - Lone Hill Middle School is kicking off the new school year with a vibrant, teacher-led music video parody of Chappell Roan’s hit “Hot to Go,” starring the school’s faculty and staff. This production is the latest in a series of creative collaborations aimed at building school spirit and community pride.
A Collaboration Featuring Local Talent and Industry Pros
The project was started with the lyrics for the song, written by a group of Lone Hill teachers on their summer break. Next indie singer/songwriter Katie Dwyer (katiedwyer.com) and multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer Steve Guiles (stevenwesleyguiles.com) made the song happen. Katie and Steve have previously collaborated on a Fortnite-themed album. Steve's music has been featured in TV shows like Shameless, Reacher, 13 Reasons Why, and The Baby-Sitters Club. He is also the Digital Media (DigiMedia) Teacher at Lone Hill Middle School.
The video was produced and directed by Dan Portnoy, who joined Lone Hill’s DigiMedia classroom through Prop 28, California’s new arts education initiative. Dan, known for his work with Portnoy Media (portnoymedia.com), brought pro-level technical and creative direction to the project.
Behind the Scenes: Quotes from the Team
"Middle school is about more than just academics—it's about community and connection," said Steve Guiles, who produced the video. "We wanted this video to remind students and families that Lone Hill is a place where everyone belongs and every voice is heard. Kicking off the year with fun and music sets the tone for everything we hope to accomplish together."
"Bringing this project to life was all about collaboration, timing, and a little bit of technical magic," said Dan Portnoy, Director and Producer. "Shooting a music video in a school, with teachers as the stars and no students, meant coordinating every shot with care."
About Lone Hill Middle School
Lone Hill Middle School is committed to building a vibrant and supportive learning community where faculty and staff create an environment for students to thrive. Learn more at lonehillms.com.
