EL MONTE – El Monte Union High School District Class of 2023 boasts a number of high-achieving graduates, including the following seniors with significant accomplishments in academics, leadership and community involvement, exemplifying the District’s commitment to empowering students to be resilient, life-long learners.

Rosemead High School’s (RHS) David Granados has consistently demonstrated academic excellence throughout his high school journey by maintaining straight A’s every semester, culminating his high school career with a 4.40 GPA. During his time at RHS, Granados was involved in the California Scholarship Federation, Hispanic Youth Leadership Council and the RHS wrestling team. Due to his outstanding achievements, Granados was singled out for a full-ride through the Leonard N. Stern Scholars Scholarship to the NYU Stern School of Business, where he will study business and political economy this fall.

Mountain View High School’s (MVHS) Yen Amber Duong Le Phan, a first-generation student, has taken advantage of every opportunity presented to her such as becoming a member of Key Club, Solar Creation/Zoo Crew, Pacific Horizon Club, MVHS Teacher Prep Academy, Yearbook Club, Union Bank internship program, Library of Congress internship program, the Harvey Mudd Upward Bound Program, City of Hope Pathway Program, and the varsity tennis and wrestling teams. She will serve as one of MVHS’s Valedictorians and is the first El Monte Union student to be awarded the California Association of Administrations of State and Federal Education Programs Scholarship. After graduation, Phan plans to study biomedical engineering at the University of California, Irvine.

Arroyo High School’s (AHS) Raven Ma is an advocate for positively impacting her community, and will serve as one of AHS’s Valedictorians. Ma has achieved more than 500 hours of volunteer service over the course of her high school career. Through her involvement in Leo Club, Cards for Kids, Key Club and the City of Hope Pathway Program, she has shown compassion, leadership and a strong sense of social responsibility. Ma is a recipient of the UCLA Bruin Success Scholarship and will attend UCLA in the fall, where she plans to study molecular cellular developmental biology in hopes of becoming a pharmacist.

El Monte High School’s Patrick Lee was born in San Francisco and moved to Southern California at the age of 11. Despite the challenges of navigating a new environment, Lee persevered to become one of EMHS’s Valedictorians and has been involved in numerous extracurricular activities such as track and field, Key Club, the National Honor Society, American Red Cross and the Asian Student Association. Lee’s successes in and out of the classroom have earned him the California Scholarship Federation Scholarship and the prestigious Gates Scholarship covering the full cost of his college tuition. He will be attending UCLA in the fall to study astrophysics/astronomy.

As a dedicated scholar and athlete, South El Monte High School’s (SEMHS) Daisy Garcia’s perspective on life and pursuit of higher education has been shaped by the sacrifices her parents made in immigrating to the United States. Garcia was an active part of SEMHS Associated Student Body (ASB), Class Club, Freshman Mentoring Program, and Women’s Empowerment Club along with volleyball, soccer and track and field, which allowed her to discover her own potential and form valuable relationships. Garcia is an SEMHS Valedictorian with a 4.41 GPA, an Early College Academy Graduate and has received the District’s State Seal of Biliteracy. Her post-secondary plans include attending UCLA and majoring in business economics.

Fernando R. Ledesma High School’s (FRLHS) Jose Velazquez-Macias has participated in extracurricular activities such as ASB, Class Council and Student Advisory Council, which have helped him grow and make meaningful relationships. Velazquez-Macias has achieved straight A’s and received the West San Gabriel Valley Administrators Association Scholarship. In the fall, he will be attending Río Hondo College to major in the administration of justice in hopes of becoming a certified emergency medical technician and police officer.

“These outstanding seniors represent the very best of the El Monte Union High School District. Their achievements, both in and out of the classroom highlight their dedication, hard work and commitment to excellence,” Superintendent Dr. Edward Zuniga said. “We are immensely proud of their accomplishments and extend our heartfelt congratulations to each of them as they serve as an inspiration to all students within the District.”

PHOTO CAPTION

EMUHSD SENIOR SPOTLIGHT_1: El Monte Union spotlights six seniors for their outstanding academics, leadership and community involvement amid graduation commencement ceremonies. From left to right: Rosemead High School senior David Granados, Mountain View High School senior Yen Amber Duong Le Phan, Arroyo High School scholar Raven Ma, El Monte High School scholar Patrick Lee, South El Monte High School senior Daisy Garcia and Fernando R. Ledesma High School’s Jose Velazquez-Macias.