WHAT: About 180 eighth-graders at Los Nietos Middle School will celebrate their promotion to high school during a special ceremony. Fitted in their blue caps and gowns, the class of 2017 will be joined by families and peers as students receive their certificates of completion.

The ceremony will include a performance by the LNMS band and speeches from educators as well as the school’s five valedictorians. Los Nietos Superintendent Jonathan Vasquez will also attend.

During an especially competitive academic year, a handful of LNMS students finished with a perfect 4.0 grade point average, including: Aaron Jimenez, Wendy Mendoza, Berenice Poblano, Lesile Quezada and Xicotencatl Reyes.

Three students took salutatorian honors with a 3.98 GPA – Andrea Garcia, Jessica Hernandez and Pedro Ventura.

WHEN: 9 a.m. Friday, May 26

WHERE: Los Nietos Middle School, 11425 Rivera Road, Whittier

DETAILS: Los Nietos Middle School is a two-year science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) Academy program that prepares students for college and career pathways.

Graduating students have completed coursework that includes project-based math and science curriculum as well as computer coding.

MEDIA: Contact Jahmal Corner for more information at (206) 579-4432.