BUENA PARK, CA – 478 Buena Park Junior High students and their families cheered, fist-pumped and honked their car horns during two days of drive-thru promotion ceremonies, as they poured onto campus with vehicles adorned with balloons, colorful signs and creative decorations to commemorate the class of 2020.

Guests toured the highly decorated grounds on May 20 and 21, when they were met with cheerful chalk messages, music and applauding teachers and administrators. Students and their families wore masks and followed social distancing rules to maintain safety.

Eighth-grader Arum Han, who was one of the school’s two Distinguished Student award winners, said Buena Park Junior High gave her a strong foundation of knowledge, discipline, friendship and courage that will support her throughout her entire life.

“Going to Buena Park Junior High was such an amazing experience because I got to leave my comfort zone and try new things,” Han said. “Something I will miss most about BPJH is the friendly, close-knit atmosphere that it brought. All of the teachers and staff members were always welcoming from the moment I stepped onto campus each morning and I made so many great memories with friends.”

Students were given their certificates of promotion, yard signs to show the community their accomplishments and yearbooks at the ceremonies.

“I am extremely proud of my daughter for her accomplishments and it’s very difficult not to cry during moments like this ceremony,” said Maria Negrete, mother of eighth-grader Vania B. “I want to thank Buena Park Junior High for putting so much effort into these ceremonies so that our children can still celebrate while being safe.”

Students who earned high GPAs at Buena Park Junior High were given special distinctions, some of which included their extracurricular activities such music, athletics and art. The Distinguished Student Awards were earned by students who excelled in citizenship, high GPAs and all-around excellence.

“Congratulations to all of our promoting students, I know you will all go on to succeed in all your endeavors and continue to make our community proud,” Superintendent Dr. Miramontes said. “We’ve seen these students learn and grow during their time in our District and we will continue to follow their academic careers with great interest.”

Meritorious Scholars (Students who have maintained a 4.0 for seventh and eighth grade):
Jason Aguilar, Samuel Ahn, Michael Amescua, Matthew Arnoco, Tiffany Elnitiarta, Isaac Gonzalez, Arum Han, Samantha Hernandez Ramirez, Bryan Hernandez, Lindsey Hur, Yujean Jeung, Joshua Labrador, Amber Lee, Sage Lee, Caden Macaraeg, Ashley Macario, Nataly Mejia, Brandon Mendoza, Isabelle Morris, Cristopher Olvera, Katheryn Ortega, Jesus Ramirez, Edwin Rodriguez Martinez and Lauren Sung.

Scholar Musicians (Student musicians who maintained a 3.5 and were recommended by music teachers): Pedro Bahena, Alexandra Murray and Hyewon Son.

Scholar Athletes (Student athletes who maintained a 3.5 and were recommended by athletics teachers): Jakob Ortega, Ashley Macario, Michael Peggott, Warner Kim, David Juarez-Garcia, Karen Kim and Judith Lopez.

Scholar Artists (Student artists who maintained a 3.5 and were recommended by art teachers):
Jennyfer Lopez, Jasmine Mercado Cruz, Breanna Pepper and Gabrielle Rodela.

Distinguished Student First-place Winners: Arum Han and Joshua Labrador.

Distinguished Student Runner-ups: Edith Gutierrez, Lauren Sung and Norman Raya Torres.

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

05272020_BUENAPARK_PROMOTIONS1: Buena Park Junior High School student Arum Han celebrates her first-place distinguished student award with her parents during her school’s drive-thru promotion ceremony.

05272020_ BUENAPARK_ PROMOTIONS2: Buena Park Junior High School student Elisa Arroyo celebrates her promotion by riding in her family’s decorated van while being met with cheerful chalk messages, music and applauding teachers and administrators.

05272020_ BUENAPARK_ PROMOTIONS3: Buena Park Junior High School student Angel Cabrera celebrates his eighth grade promotion by wearing a homemade graduation cap and hoisting his class of 2020 sign to onlookers during a drive-thru ceremony.