More than 100 middle school students from five school districts built small engines, crystal radios and bridges and learned to do CPR as part of Rio Hondo College’s eighth annual CTE Career Exploration Summer Academy. The academy focuses on health science, engineering and automobile technology – all Rio Hondo College fields of study. The program has grown from 30 middle school students in its first year. Each day includes hands-on activities in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). For example, in the small-engine project, students broke down and assembled a car engine. Along the way, they learned electrical theory, calculations and application. In a structural design class, they constructed and tested the strength of bridges.
Rio Hondo College Hosts CTE Boot Camp for 110 Area Middle Schoolers
About 110 middle school students from five Whittier-area school districts explored career and technical education (CTE) fields in July as part of Rio Hondo College’s eighth annual CTE Boot Camp, a weeklong summer program that also seeks to inspire students to consider their college options. Students designed and tested bridges, built small engines and crystal radios, and learned the basics of cardio-pulmonary resuscitation. Photos and video are available.
Rio Hondo College to Hold Summer Bridge Sessions for New Students
Rio Hondo College will hold the third of three, eight-day Summer Bridge sessions to support incoming first-year students from Monday, July 30 to Thursday, Aug. 9. The program includes a math academy, English preparation course and guided registration for fall classes. The free program is limited to 150 students.
Summer heat and Christmas spirit go head to head in Rio Hondo College’s summer show, “The Hollywood Summer Christmas Show,” an original play with songs and dancing inspired by a child’s love of the mid-winter holiday. The show, which stars an ensemble of nearly 20 Rio Hondo College students, will be performed at 8 p.m. Aug. 3, 4, 9-10, and at 2 p.m. Aug 4, 5 and 11 in the College’s Black Box Theater, 3600 Workman Mill Road, Whittier. Admission is free. Attendees will receive a holiday surprise at the show’s end.
Rio Hondo College Spanish Professor Mariano Zaro reviewed writing techniques, collaborated with fellow writers and received guidance on his work during the Martha’s Vineyard Institute of Creative Writing’s 2018 Summer Seminar. Zaro, who serves as co-adviser to Rio Hondo College’s Creative Writing Club, received free tuition and housing for the exclusive weeklong seminar after taking first place in the Institute’s 2018 Writing Contest with a short story titled “Ninamiel/Honeygirl.”
Rio Hondo College will hold its third annual Camp Rio summer program for up to 45 students from the Whittier Boys and Girls Club from Monday, July 16 through Thursday, July 19. The program features hands-on activities designed to inspire interest in college attendance. This year’s program includes a coding track, a design/printmaking track and an electronic music track.
Rio Hondo College will hold three, two-week Summer Bridge sessions to support incoming first-year students: July 2 to 12, July 16 to 26 and July 30 to Aug. 9. The programs include a math academy, English preparation and guided registration for fall classes. Students will also tour the campus, learn about programs and resources and engage in enrichment activities. The free program is limited to 450 students.
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.
One of just two Tesla service technician training programs currently operating in the United States will graduate its first cohort of students from Rio Hondo College during a special ceremony from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 23. The students – three women and seven men – have completed a 12-week Tesla START program that included more than 800 hours of training, providing them with the skills necessary to be hired as service technicians at Tesla service centers across North America. The graduation and recognition ceremony will take place in the Rio Hondo College Automotive Shop. The event will feature remarks from Superintendent/President Teresa Dreyfuss, Board of Trustees President Madeline Shapiro, Tesla North American Service Senior Manager Michael Ojaghian and Tesla START graduate Natalie Dovales-Flores. Representatives of local, state and federal officials are also expected to honor students. Rio Hondo College is at 3600 Workman Mill Road, Whittier.
Rio Hondo College to Recognize Student Achievements in May Ceremonies
Rio Hondo College will hold a series of ceremonies at the end of May to celebrate students who have earned degrees and certificates, including a special event for nurses and for graduates of the College’s first-ever class of TESLA-trained technicians. On Wednesday, May 23, TESLA graduates will be honored at 4 p.m.; at 5 p.m., nurses will be recognized with a pinning ceremony. The College’s 55th annual Commencement Ceremony will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 24. All events will be at the College, 3600 Workman Mill Road, Whittier.
