Six San Gabriel Unified Schools Named to California Honor Roll

Six San Gabriel Unified schools – Coolidge, McKinley, Washington and Wilson elementary schools, Jefferson Middle School and Gabrielino High School – were named to the 2017-18 California Honor Roll for narrowing the achievement gap and performing well on state standardized tests. All six schools were honored as Star Schools, a category for high-performing schools with substantial populations of socioeconomically disadvantaged students.

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Rio Hondo College Celebrates 2017-18 Graduates at Emotional Commencement Ceremony

California state Assembly Majority Leader Ian Calderon congratulated graduates at Rio Hondo College’s 55th annual Commencement Ceremony on May 24 and urged them to “make a difference.” The ceremony recognized 1,399 students who earned an estimated 2,001 academic degrees, including 653 degrees for transfer, which guarantee admission to the California State University system. Both figures top the College’s numbers for 2016-17. Also honored were three outstanding students who overcame challenges en route to earning their degrees – Brenda Coronel, Yarisma Rocha and Jason Hoang. All three have been accepted to UC Berkeley.

Paramount Unified Schools Named to California Honor Roll for Commitment to Equity in Education

Abraham Lincoln and Wesley Gaines elementary schools were named to the 2017-18 California Honor Roll for demonstrating consistently high levels of student academic achievement while closing achievement gaps. The Educational Results Partnership and the Campaign for Business and Education Excellence present the annual honor, which includes a banner to display at each campus.

Lynwood High Students Win Honors at Congressional Art Competition

Three Lynwood High School AP Studio Art students were recognized for outstanding artwork at the 44th District Congressional Art Competition. Senior Evelyn Granados took first place with a piece titled, "Love is Love," while classmates Emily Medrano and Miguel Sanchez received honorable mentions. Granados and a guest will attend the opening reception ceremony of the yearlong Congressional Art Exhibit in Washington, D.C.

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El Monte Union Students Compete in 16th Annual Solar Cup

Mountain View High School placed 11th in the veteran division of the nation’s largest solar-powered boat competition sponsored by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. More than 600 students from 38 Southern California high schools raced boats they built themselves during the 16th annual event. The seven-month education program enabled students to apply math, science and engineering lessons to the real-world challenge of building the fastest solar-powered boat possible.

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Rio Hondo College Celebrates 55th Annual Commencement

California Assembly Majority Leader Ian Calderon congratulated Rio Hondo College students for their achievements and urged them to “go out there, make a difference” during the College’s 55th annual Commencement Ceremony, held May 24. The ceremony was one of three events marking graduation achievements. On May 23, the College lauded its first class of Tesla service technicians and held a pinning ceremony for nursing students.

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Baldwin Park Unified Senior Wins 32nd Congressional District Art Contest

Rafael Mondragon, a senior at Baldwin Park Unified’s Sierra Vista High School, won first place in U.S. Rep. Grace Napolitano’s 32nd Congressional District Art Competition. Mondragon submitted a photo titled "Awaiting a Home," taken at La Plaza at Olvera Street in Los Angeles. He received a free trip to Washington, D.C., where his artwork will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for a year.

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La Serna High Teacher Named Whittier Union Teacher of the Year

La Serna High School English and Puente Program teacher Shelly DeSimone dreamed of a career in education as early as second grade, when a teacher asked her to help a struggling English learner. For DeSimone’s efforts in preparing La Serna English learners for college, she was named Whittier Union High School District’s 2017-18 Teacher of the Year. Over her 34-year career, DeSimone has helped hundreds of students to speak, read and write English, guided La Serna’s Puente Program since its inception and established herself as an author of teen fiction written for English learners.

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Lynwood Unified Students Showcase Work in Engineering and Literature at GATE Fair

Lynwood Unified School District students experimented with static electricity, observed models of city landscapes and reviewed book reports during the annual Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) Fair where students explored the work of their peers across the District. Each of Lynwood Unified’s 18 schools contributed projects that were publicly displayed on May 16 in the city’s Bateman Hall, where the community could take the educational tour. Elementary schools visited the showcase in shifts throughout the day, while some children brought their parents for demonstrations of engineering, science, history and world geography.

Rosemead High Receives $3,000 Budding Botanist Grant to Explore Wisdom of Weeds

Rosemead High School will add an unusual component to its student-run organic herb and vegetable gardens – a garden of weeds to examine how common intruders such as dandelions, clover and nettles can benefit the ecosystem. The “Wisdom of Weeds” program will be developed with a $3,000 Budding Botanist Grant, awarded to the school for its commitment to environmental sustainability and biodiversity. The grant – consisting of a $2,500 check and books/materials valued at $500 – was provided through a joint partnership between Klorane Botanical Foundation and KidsGardening.org. It was presented during a ceremony and garden tour on May 17.

Roosevelt Elementary College Fair Teaches Students about University Life

Roosevelt Elementary sixth-grader Stephanie Reyes’ eyes lit up when she described the famous alumni of Princeton University – from former First Lady Michelle Obama to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and President James Madison. Reyes joined classmates Estevan Sandoval and Kianna Jimenez as representatives of Princeton for their school’s fourth annual College Fair on May 22. Nearly 650 Roosevelt students in preschool through sixth grade were taught college options by their peers, detailing school colors, mascots and programs of more than two dozen universities.

Paramount Senior wins California 40th District Art Competition, Classmate Earns Third Place

Paramount High School senior Noah Endo captured first place in the 40th Congressional District’s 25th annual Student Art Competition held by U.S. Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard. Endo won a $1,000 scholarship, $200 for art supplies and a trip to Washington, D.C., with a parent to attend the national exhibit opening. Endo was honored for his piece, titled “A Growing Threat,” created with color pencil, marker and pen. Fellow senior Susana Muñoz took third place, earning a $500 scholarship and $150 for art supplies. Photos are available.

Baldwin Park Unified Seniors Thank Teachers, Inspire Elementary Students

More than 250 seniors from Baldwin Park Unified’s Baldwin Park and Sierra Vista high schools visited their elementary schools on May 24 and 25 to thank teachers for guiding them on their educational journeys and to inspire younger pupils to pursue their dreams. At the events, seniors received high-fives, posters and leis from the schools. Seniors, often tearfully, urged the younger students to treasure their time at Baldwin Park’s schools.

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2 Whittier Union Students Awarded $30,000 in Scholarships

Two Santa Fe High School graduating seniors, who have developed a passion to give back to their community and inspire those around them, have collectively earned $30,000 in scholarships from the Santa Fe Springs Chamber of Commerce to pursue their dreams as first-generation college students. Students Sarah Garcia and Jennisa Casillas are among seven recipients of a Destiny Scholarship, awarded by the Chamber/League Youth Enrichment Fund. Casillas won $10,000 while Garcia was named the winner of the $20,000 Destiny Scholarship, aimed at providing students the opportunity to change their direction in life, or their “destiny.”

Baldwin Park Unified Lauds Adult School Graduates

Baldwin Park Unified’s Adult and Community Education program lauded more than 190 graduates of its academic and career technical training programs during commencement exercises held May 24 at Baldwin Park High School. The festive event included the National Anthem performed by the Baldwin Park High School band and speeches by valedictorian Tarah Zharny Abregana Amor and salutatorian Lourdes Suastegui Melchor, as well as the awarding of scholarships

Bassett High School Health Academy Seniors Recognized

Bassett High senior Huong Nguyen celebrated with her peers at the Kaiser Permanente Health Academy’s Recognition Ceremony, where she was awarded a $1,000 scholarship – an achievement she credits to the support of Linda Howard, the program’s 15-year coordinator. Nguyen was one of more than 30 students recognized for their completion of the three-year program on May 17. During the ceremony, administrators and educators from Bassett Unified and Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Park Medical Center honored Howard for her years of service and upcoming retirement.

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5 Fontana Unified Seniors Named Dell Scholars

Five Fontana Unified High School graduates who have juggled personal challenges with academic excellence were named 2018 Dell Scholars, earning a collective $100,000 in scholarships for higher education costs. Kaiser High School’s Syeda Arif will attend UC Berkeley to study nutrition and public health; Fontana High School’s Victor Iribe will major in mechanical engineering at Cal State L.A.; Summit High School’s Mary Ambriz will study political science and women’s studies at Occidental College; Summit’s Melissa Cruz will attend UC Irvine to study biological sciences; and Summit’s Maria Medina will major in political science at UC Berkeley.

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Calendar Items

Wednesday, May 30

El Monte Union to Honor Graduates at Commencement Ceremonies: El Monte Union High School District will celebrate graduating students with commencement ceremonies taking place May 30-31. The El Monte-Rosemead Adult School will celebrate students at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 30 at the Rosemead High Auditorium. The following graduations will be held Thursday, May 31: Fernando R. Ledesma High at 5 p.m. at the high school; South El Monte High School at 6 p.m. at SEMHS Eagle Stadium; Arroyo High School at 7 p.m. at AHS Bergstrom Stadium; El Monte High School at 7 p.m. at EMHS Lion Field; Mountain View High School at 7 p.m. at MVHS Viking Stadium; and Rosemead High at 7 p.m. at RHS Panther Field.

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Monrovia Unified Showcase to Highlight Student Art: Students at Monrovia Unified’s Monroe Elementary School will showcase artwork they created during the Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s eight-week enrichment program, After School at the Museum, from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 30. The art show will highlight Monrovia Unified’s commitment to arts education. The school is at 303 W. Colorado Blvd., 91016.

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Thursday, May 31

El Monte Union to Award Diploma to WWII Vet at May 31 Graduation: Rosemead High School is poised to retroactively award a high school diploma to a longtime community member who dropped out of high school just weeks ahead of graduation to join the Navy during World War II. Kelly Crowell – a 60-year Temple City resident who has volunteered as a pitching coach for the Rosemead High girls’ softball team for six years – will join the Class of 2018 at the school’s commencement ceremony at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 31. Other graduations taking place that day are Fernando R. Ledesma High at 5 p.m. at the high school; South El Monte High School at 6 p.m. at SEMHS Eagle Stadium; Arroyo High School at 7 p.m. at AHS Bergstrom Stadium; El Monte High School at 7 p.m. at EMHS Lion Field; Mountain View High School at 7 p.m. at MVHS Viking Stadium. The El Monte-Rosemead Adult School will celebrate students at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 30 at the Rosemead High Auditorium.

Baldwin Park Unified Celebrates Commencement Ceremonies: Baldwin Park Unified will hold commencement ceremonies for North Park Continuation High School at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 30 in the school’s quad, 4600 Bogart Ave., Baldwin Park. On Thursday, May 31, Sierra Vista High School will hold its event at 5:15 p.m. at the school’s Jack B. White Stadium, 3600 N. Frazier Ave., Baldwin Park, and Baldwin Park High School will follow at 7 p.m. at its Ted K. Gorrell Stadium, 3900 N. Puente Ave., Baldwin Park. Baldwin Park Unified’s adult program held its graduation at Gorrell Stadium on May 24

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Roosevelt Elementary Students to Learn Future Possibilities at Career Day: Local leaders and professionals will give Roosevelt Elementary School students a glimpse into potential career paths during the annual Career Day at 9 a.m. Thursday, May 31 on campus, 10835 Mallison Ave., Lynwood. Roosevelt students will hear from professionals in the medical field, as well as public servicemen and women while taking part in demonstrations that simulate careers.

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Saturday, June 2

Blood Drive to be Held for Student Athlete Battling Leukemia: Clifton Middle School will host a blood drive from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 2 in support of James Speranta, a Monrovia High student athlete who was diagnosed with leukemia mid-March. Donations will go to City of Hope to help Speranta and other leukemia and cancer patients in need.

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Wednesday, June 6

Whittier Union to Celebrate Students with Graduation Ceremonies: The Whittier Union High School District will hold graduation celebrations June 4-6. On Monday, June 4, graduations will be held for Frontier High School at 6 p.m. in the Whittier High School Auditorium and the Transition Program at 7 p.m. at the Harmony Center. Ceremonies will be held Tuesday, June 5 for California High School at 5:30 p.m. at Sandra Sanchez Thorstenson Stadium; the Whittier Adult School/Sierra Vista High School at 6 p.m. in the Whittier High Auditorium; and Santa Fe High School at 6 p.m. at Dick Torres Memorial Stadium. On Wednesday, June 6, celebrations will be held for Whittier High School at 4 p.m. at Dick Torres Memorial Stadium; La Serna High School at 5 p.m. at Sandra Sanchez Thorstenson Stadium; and Pioneer High School at 7 p.m. at Dick Torres Memorial Stadium.

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Thursday, June 7

San Gabriel Unified to Hold Graduations on June 6 and 7: San Gabriel Unified School District will celebrate Gabrielino High School’s commencement at 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 6 at Santa Anita Park, 285 Huntington Drive, Arcadia. Del Mar Continuation High School’s commencement will follow at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 7 at Gabrielino High School, 1327 S. San Gabriel Blvd., San Gabriel.

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Friday, June 8

Paramount High School to Celebrate Nearly 1,000 Graduates: Nearly 1,000 Paramount High School seniors will take the stage to accept their diplomas during an evening ceremony at 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 8. The celebration will feature speeches by salutatorian Armando Alexis Torres, valedictorian Fernanda Corona and Superintendent Dr. Ruth Pérez. The school’s band and choir will perform during the ceremony, to be held in Paramount’s 6,000-seat stadium at 14429 Downey Ave., Paramount.

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Thursday, June 14

Fontana Unified Student to Advance to National History Day Competition: Summit High student Leslie Madrigal will advance to the National History Day competition being held Sunday, June 10 to Thursday, June 14 in Maryland after earning top honors in the state contest in May. Madrigal earned first place in the Senior Individual Exhibit Division for her project titled “The Non-Proliferation Treaty: The Decision to Save the World.”

Baldwin Park Unified Seventh-grader Qualifies for National History Day: Silence Jackson, a seventh-grader at Baldwin Park Unified’s Jones Junior High School, has qualified for the National History Day competition set for Sunday, June 10 to Thursday, June 14 at the University of Maryland after taking top honors in May for a California History Day project examining the lives of sharecroppers. Jackson is one of two champions selected in the Junior Individual Exhibit Division.

Friday, June 22

17 Gabrielino High Speech and Debate Students to Compete in Nationals: San Gabriel Unified’s Gabrielino High School will send 17 of its speech and debate students to the 2018 National Speech and Debate Tournament from Sunday, June 17 to Friday, June 22 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Last year, Gabrielino’s team earned the Bruno E. Jacob Trophy for its program’s history of achievement at national competitions.

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Wednesday, June 27

Six Gabrielino High FBLA Students Advance to National Competition: Six students from Gabrielino High School’s Future Business Leaders of America program will advance to the National Leadership Conference on Wednesday, June 27 and Thursday, June 28 in Baltimore after earning top honors in their respective competition categories at the state conference.

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Friday, June 29

Fontana High CTE Student Advances to SkillsUSA National Competition: Fontana High School student Erik Cruz will advance to the SkillsUSA National Skills and Leadership Conference from Monday, June 25 to Friday, June 29 in Louisville, Kentucky after earning a gold medal in the cabinetmaking category at the state competition.

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