EL MONTE – Rosemead High School (RHS) students, staff, local dignitaries and community members gathered on the school’s newly resurfaced track for a ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 12, celebrating the completion of the school’s upgraded track and athletic field and new concession stands.

To open the festivities, Rosemead’s band and spirit squad welcomed attendees with a rousing performance and the school’s choir sang the national anthem. Superintendent Dr. Edward Zuniga joined Rosemead Principal Dr. Brian Bristol, Board of Trustees Vice President David Diaz, and Rosemead senior and student board member Xitlalic Palacios in giving heartfelt speeches highlighting the renovations. Parent volunteers served refreshments to attendees out of the new concession stand, which was constructed out of eco-friendly shipping containers and is accessible on three sides to serve all of the school’s athletic fields.

“We’re very thankful to the community and the District for supporting this project which will allow our students to perform at their highest levels,” Bristol said. “I want to commend the architects and contractors for the thought and care that went into designing and implementing this project – our students and their enjoyment and success were always at the forefront of their work.”

The field will host physical education classes, athletic competitions and other events central to campus and student life, including this year’s commencement ceremony.

“Today I’m grateful to help celebrate these improvements at Rosemead High School. We are a product of our environment and for a lot of my fellow classmates, Rosemead High School has become a home away from home,” Palacios said. “By investing in these upgrades to our campus, it shows the care that our community has for the students and helps students to believe in themselves and their potential.”

The ceremony featured a surprise visit from Allen Warren, a member of Rosemead’s first graduating class in 1950. Warren, who sported his Rosemead letterman sweater as he stepped onto the renovated field, said he is proud to be an alumnus of a school that strives to continually enhance the high school experience for students.

“I would like to thank our community and Board of Trustees for their continued dedication and support of our students and campuses,” Zuniga said. “These outstanding new facilities are just part of the ongoing renovations and improvements across all of our campuses that ensure our students have access to all of the resources that they need to achieve their dreams.”

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

EMUHSD_RHS RIBBON CUTTING_1: El Monte Union High School District Superintendent Dr. Edward Zuniga (left), Rosemead High School ASB President Tacy Tran (middle left), EMUHSD Student Board Member Xitlalic Palacios (middle right) and Rosemead High School Principal Dr. Brian Bristol (right) celebrate Rosemead’s athletic facilities renovations at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 12.

EMUHSD_RHS_RIBBON_CUTTING_2: Rosemead High School’s choir performs the National Anthem for guests during the Rosemead High School track and field renovation ribbon-cutting ceremony, held May 12.

EMUHSD_RHS_RIBBON_CUTTING_3: Rosemead High School (RHS) alumnus Allen Warren (right), who was part of the school’s first graduating class in 1950, shares memories with Superintendent Dr. Edward Zuniga (left), Warren’s daughter Tammy Silver (middle left), who serves on the Pasadena City College Board of Trustees, and RHS Assistant Principal Sarah Penalora (middle right).