Roynon Elementary students stepped into the world of invention and entrepreneurship during their fourth annual Shark Tank event on March 23, pitching creations designed to solve real-world challenges and improve the lives of others.
Arroyo High School senior Gary Chen has been named a 2026 Edison Scholar, earning a $50,000 scholarship to support his pursuit of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) in higher education. He plans to attend the University of California, Berkeley, where he will study electrical and computer engineering. The recognition came as a surprise during Chen’s Advanced Placement (AP) English Literature class, as students finished the first act of William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.” The classroom door opened and a group entered, including Chen’s father and representatives from Edison International, delivering the announcement.
Fontana Unified School District (FUSD) earned multiple top honors from the California School Public Relations Association (CalSPRA), including three Awards of Excellence, recognizing the District’s high-impact outreach efforts that elevate student and District successes and strengthen connections with the community. CalSPRA’s Awards of Excellence represent the organization’s highest level of recognition, honoring outstanding work in school communications across California. The awards highlight Fontana Unified’s ability to deliver impactful messaging while building trust and fostering strong community relationships.
When San Dimas High School athletes take the field for competition, they do so with confidence, knowing they are backed by a world-class athletic training staff that responds lightning quick to mishaps and injuries on the field. The staff is backed by its own student trainees, who are part of the school’s esteemed Sports Medicine pathway, where they learn first aid, injury evaluation, and medical skills.
Two Fontana High School (FOHI) Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (MCJROTC) cadets are preparing to take the next step in their academic and military journeys after earning highly competitive naval scholarships, a milestone capping off a year of success for FOHI’s MCJROTC program. Cadet Stephanie Mendoza has been awarded a Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) scholarship, valued at approximately $180,000, which will cover the cost of her undergraduate education and would lead to a commission as an officer in the United States Navy. Cadet Yamileth Velasco has been accepted into the Naval Preparatory Program (NPP) at Norwich University, a pathway that covers a full year of preparatory study before transitioning into a four-year NROTC scholarship, bringing the total value to an estimated $370,000.
A single book recommendation in fourth grade transformed Bonita High School junior Lexi Cocores from a reluctant reader into a passionate storyteller, a journey that has since led her to publish her debut novel at 16 and begin work on a full trilogy. In the months following its release, Cocores marked the milestone with a book signing at Judging By The Cover in San Dimas, where she shared her work with friends, family, community members, and staff from Allen Avenue Elementary, marking a full-circle moment for a student whose love of reading first began in the classroom.
Culminating a year in which they learned about financial literacy and professional career paths, 12 Mountain View High School seniors serving as interns in the school’s U.S. Bank Student Intern Branch Program hosted a leadership forum which included a Q&A with U.S. Bank senior administrators on April 30. Mountain View seniors Jennifer Rivera Rivas and Natalie Nguyen moderated the forum, titled “Guided by Greatness: The Power of Leadership and Mentorship,” asking the panel their advice on how to further develop the skills they have learned in class and apply them in their pursuit of college and career success.
As an elementary school student during the pandemic, Bonita High School senior James Hurwitz would often spend time between online classes viewing short history-related videos on the internet. The more he watched, the more fascinated he became with world history, dreaming of becoming a standout student with solid character and a future leader. Devoting himself to academics and leadership in high school, Hurwitz is on track to graduate with a 4.0 GPA, while building his skills through participation in the Civil Air Patrol as part of its Brackett Composite Squadron 64, and training with the Marine Delayed Entry program, where he impressed recruiters with his academic and physical capabilities, knowledge of history and enthusiasm in engaging with instructors and cadets.
Fontana Unified School District is elevating student voices in District leadership with the selection of Kaiser High School junior Julian Villeda as the Student Board Member for the 2026-27 school year. In this role, Villeda will represent nearly 32,000 Fontana Unified students, helping bring student perspectives into Board discussions and Districtwide decision-making. Villeda, who boasts a 4.12 GPA, has attended Fontana Unified schools since he was four years old and said he hopes to serve as a bridge between students and District leaders.
After 35 years of dedicated service, Rosemead High School (RHS) Principal Secretary Christine Inocencio has been named El Monte Union High School District’s (EMUHSD) 2025-26 Classified Employee of the Year. Inocencio was honored during the May 6 Board of Trustees meeting for her longstanding commitment to students, staff, and families. Inocencio was celebrated with flowers, an award, and the unveiling of her name and photo on the Classified Employee of the Year honoree plaque as family members, colleagues, and EMUHSD leaders gathered to congratulate her and share stories highlighting her lasting impact on the District and Rosemead High School community.
From a young age, Covina High School senior Levi Lopez has been driven by a passion for helping and leading others, whether in school, sports, or everyday life. This fall, Lopez will bring that drive to the University of California, Berkeley, where he plans to double-major in history and economics, with the goal of returning to Covina-Valley Unified as a teacher. Long term, Lopez said he hopes to become a school district superintendent, with the ultimate dream of one day serving as President of the United States.
