CITY OF INDUSTRY – Hacienda La Puente Unified School District (HLPUSD), in partnership with Assemblymember Lisa Calderon, hosted the Annual 56th Assembly District College and Career Fair on Sept. 14, drawing hundreds of high school and middle school students eager to explore future academic path and career options.

Held at La Puente High School, the event featured more than 60 college and career booths designed to provide valuable resources and guidance for students planning their next steps.

Among the highlights was a dedicated room showcasing career technical education (CTE) pathways, where high school CTE student volunteers from all four HLPUSD comprehensive high schools, HLPLUSD CTE Coordinator Dr. Lawrence Fitz, and HLPUSD CTE educators, offered middle school families interactive demonstrations, engaging displays, and detailed information about the exciting career options available through CTE programs.

“Each year, this event sets the stage for students to explore their futures… but this year, we rose to the challenge like never before,” Fitz said. “The energy, engagement, and sheer variety of opportunities made this our most dynamic College and Career Fair to date. Thank you to all our partners and of course, Lisa Calderon, for making this event possible for our remarkable HLPUSD families.”
Throughout the event, students participated in workshops offering essential support for navigating the college application process. Sessions covered topics like college planning for middle schoolers, applying to the University of California and California State University systems, and steps to take before and after submitting applications.

The event saw a diverse range of colleges in attendance, including the University of Southern California, University of San Diego, Chapman University, University of California, Santa Barbara, Cal State Fullerton, Cal State Long Beach, and many more. Representatives from the Los Angeles County Fire and Police departments, the U.S. Armed Forces, and various trade schools and unions were also available to offer insight and discuss career paths with students interested in exploring job opportunities.

“As a senior, I have already started thinking about my plan after high school but having the opportunity to visit this fair to expand my horizons and learn from real-world experts and college representatives was very exciting,” Workman High School senior Lauren Medina said. “Our teachers, principals, and the District are always encouraging us to seek new opportunities and I am even more excited for what’s to come after graduating this spring.”

For the first time, HLPUSD provided free shuttle buses at Workman, Wilson, and Los Altos high schools to ensure students could attend the event. Booths from each middle and high school, as well as HLP Adult Education, offered information, prizes, and school swag. These booths encouraged students to engage with administrators, explore future educational opportunities, and get excited about the next steps in their academic journeys.

As the event concluded, HLPUSD and Calderon celebrated the seniors who were recognized as winners of the 56th Assembly District Writing Contest and received a $1,000 merit-based scholarship for their exceptional efforts.

“The College and Career Fair is an essential part of our commitment to providing transformative learning experiences for all students,” HLPUSD Superintendent Dr. Alfonso Jiménez said. “This year’s theme, ‘Transformative Learning, Pathways to Student Success,’ is more than just a slogan – it reflects our dedication to unlocking the potential within every student. By connecting them to opportunities that inspire, we are empowering them to shape their futures and achieve success in college, careers and life.”

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

HLPUSD_COLLEGE1: A Hacienda La Puente Unified middle school student enters the career technical education pathway exploration room at the 56th Assembly District College and Career Fair on Sept. 14.

HLPUSD_COLLEGE2: Career technical education students from each of Hacienda La Puente Unified’s four comprehensive high schools showcase their programs with middle school families and District officials during a College and Career Fair on Sept. 14.

HLPUSD_COLLEGE3: Lisa Calderon, 56th District Assemblymember, connects with Hacienda La Puente Unified middle school administrators and Executive Director of TK-8 Dr. Angela Lin (third left) during a College and Career Fair on Sept. 14.

HLPUSD_COLLEGE4: Glen A. Wilson High School students in the Theater Career Technical Education pathway share details about their program and recent awards with a student during a College and Career Fair on Sept. 14.