EL MONTE – The El Monte Union High School District community celebrated the start of construction for South El Monte High School’s (SEMHS) Modernization Project on April 4, a campuswide renovation that will include redesigned landscaping and outdoor seating, upgrades to classrooms, the library and the administration building, and state-of-the-art technology.

The project aims to provide spaces that promote college and career readiness for all students, prioritizing flexibility to ensure work and learning spaces can be tailored to maximize the capabilities of both teachers and students.

“Thank you to our El Monte Union Board of Trustees, District and school administration for their hard work and effort toward making our school a better place,” SEMHS Associated Student Body President Amelie Orozco Ramirez said. “I believe that these renovations are providing opportunities for us as students to come together and have more discussions, collaboration, creativity and relaxation, which will contribute to creating an uplifting environment and closeknit community for our present and future leaders.”

The groundbreaking ceremony included a performance by the SEMHS Mighty Eagle Marching Band and Drill team and heartfelt speeches from EMUHSD Board of Trustees Vice President H. Esthela Torres de Siegrist, EMUHSD Superintendent Dr. Edward Zuniga and SEMHS Principal Dr. Jorge Morales. Representatives of local elected officials also awarded the District with certificates of recognition.

“Our schools modernization project is an investment that focuses on the needed repairs and upgrades at South El Monte High School,” Morales said. “We are thankful to everyone who has played a vital role in ensuring our students have access to modern, state-of-the-art facilities that inspire them to pursue their academic and personal goals.”

The SEMHS Modernization Project is one of the latest facilities improvements in EMUHSD and is supported by a round of funding from Measures D and HS. The EMUHSD Board approved the funds to support a sweeping modernization program that ensures every District campus receives several facilities improvements.

“I’d like to thank our Board of Trustees and community members for their generous support of the Measures D and HS bonds which have allowed us to invest in providing our students with safe environments that include the latest infrastructure and technology,” Zuniga said. “The SEMHS modernization project will allow our students and teachers to maximize their capabilities and academic success.”

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

EMUHSD_SEMHS MODERNIZATION GROUNDBREAKING_1: From left to right: South El Monte High School (SEMHS) Principal Dr. Jorge Morales, SEMHS Mighty Eagle Mascot, Associated Student Body President Amelie Orozco Ramirez and El Monte Union High School District Superintendent Dr. Edward Zuniga celebrate the start of construction for the school’s Modernization Project at a groundbreaking ceremony on April 4.

EMUHSD_SEMHS MODERNIZATION GROUNDBREAKING_2: South El Monte High School’s Drill team prepares to perform for guests and community members during SEMHS Modernization Project groundbreaking ceremony on April 4.

EMUHSD_SEMHS MODERNIZATION GROUNDBREAKING_3: South El Monte High School’s Mighty Eagle Band gives a riveting performance during a groundbreaking ceremony for the school’s Modernization Project.

EMUHSD_SEMHS MODERNIZATION GROUNDBREAKING_4: South El Monte High School’s Associated Student Body members examine renderings for the SEMHS Modernization Project during a groundbreaking ceremony on April 4.