CITY OF INDUSTRY – In front of an audience of more than 100 students, staff, alums, and distinguished guests, Hacienda La Puente Unified and Hacienda La Puente Adult Education (HLPAE) celebrated the unveiling of HLPAE’s modernized state-of-the-art Medical Career Building with commemorative speeches to honor HLPAE’s legacy and success before cutting the ceremonial ribbon on Aug. 23.

As the second-largest adult education institute in California, serving more than 13,000 adult education and high school students annually, HLPAE’s two-story building modernization project is a significant step toward supporting its seven growing healthcare programs, including the longstanding Psychiatric Technician and Licensed Vocational Nursing Programs. The building, equipped with four new classrooms, labs, and state-of-the-art equipment, is strategically designed to bridge the gap between theory and practice, thereby preparing students to thrive in the ever-changing healthcare landscape.

“This building will not only enhance learning but also open the door for more students to embark on a healthcare career during a time when there is such a critical need for professionals in this field,” HLPAE Licensed Vocational Nursing student John Acharya said. “Thank you to everyone who supports HLPAE; your encouragement and support are invaluable.”

Executive Director of HLPAE Dr. Gregory Buckner took audience members down memory lane to start the event, sharing HLPAE’s robust history from its start nearly 60 years ago. Buckner was followed by Hacienda La Puente Unified Superintendent of Schools Dr. Alfonso Jiménez, who shared his gratitude for the institution’s diverse opportunities and for being a continued partner and beacon of hope for thousands of Hacienda La Puente Unified students throughout the years.

Hacienda La Puente Unified Board President Christine H. Salazar highlighted the positive impact the institute has had on students’ lives by sharing stories of previous HLPAE graduates from various industries.

“Today marks a tribute to our past but also serves as a reminder to embrace the future as we unveil this remarkable new building and a new chapter in the adult education history,” Salazar said. “Let us continue to draw inspiration from our students’ stories and staff’s education to continue believing in the potential of each and every student.”

The event concluded with guests exiting the Willow Adult conference room to the grandiose building, where, a mariachi band waited for them, helping the community celebrate the building’s grand opening with music and a lively dance circle.

Attendees then toured the facilities, which feature cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), automated external defibrillator and baby warmer demonstrations, and a simulation on the first floor led by Licensed Vocational Nursing and Medical Assistant students, along with an immersive demonstration of the Anatomage Table led by Medical Assistant instructor Diana Escutia.

On the second floor, guests interacted with blood pressure and pulse oximetry demonstrations and watched the school’s most recent Psychiatric Technician graduation video, which took place in June 2024.

Students who graduate from the Licensed Vocational Nursing, Medical Assistant, Certified Nursing Assistant, Medical Billing and Coding, Pharmacy Technician, Psychiatric Technician, or Registered Dental Assistant programs within the normal expectancy time leave with $0 debt and are eligible to sit for the necessary California exams.

“Thank you to everyone who played a role in making these facilities a reality and to our incredible staff of skilled professionals who teach, guide, and train our students,” Jiménez said. “This project is so much more than a building; it’s the foundation for aspiring high school and adult education healthcare professionals – the framework for transformative learning and success.”

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

HLPUSD_HEALTH1: Hacienda La Puente Adult Education healthcare students welcome guests to the modernized Health Careers Building during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Aug. 23.

HLPUSD_HEALTH2: Licensed Vocational Nursing and Medical Assistant students greet guests as they tour the modernized two-story health careers building after the ceremonious ribbon-cutting on Aug. 23.

HLPUSD_HEALTH3: Hacienda La Puente Unified District officials, HLPAE staff, and distinguished guests dance alongside a mariachi band after a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the Heath Careers Building on Aug. 23.

HLPUSD_HEALTH4: A Hacienda La Puente Adult Education healthcare instructor celebrates the completion of the modernized Health Careers Building with healthcare students during the commemoration event on Aug. 23.

HLPUSD_HEALTH5: A Hacienda La Puente community member has her blood pressure checked by an HLPAE health careers instructor and student during the Health Careers Building tour on Aug.23.