MONTEBELLO – An estimated 250 Montebello Unified juniors and seniors and their parents learned about graduation requirements, the college admissions process, and financial aid during an April 9 college day staged exclusively for them as part of a District partnership with East Los Angeles College (ELAC).

The event, held at ELAC, featured a college fair, speakers, and sessions that provided information about high school courses required for college admission, the first-year college experience, transfer prerequisites, and the benefits of MUSD and ELAC’s joint Career Technical Education Pathways.

“Montebello Unified’s strong partnership with East Los Angeles College creates new avenues for success for MUSD students,” said MUSD Board of Education Member Joanna Flores, who teaches at ELAC. “These include our exclusive pathways collaboration, which provides students with tools to achieve academic, professional and personal goals, as well as our special College Day event that makes available resources to help students achieve their dreams.”

College Day began with welcoming remarks given by Flores and ELAC Vice President of Student Services Julie Benavides. The event concluded with a college fair featuring representatives from college and universities

“College Day was great and I learned a lot – especially during the Free Application for Financial Student Aid (FAFSA) presentation,” Montebello High School senior Edward Lopez said. “The whole event made me aware of all the resources available to me.”

MUSD Superintendent Susanna Contreras Smith said the ELAC partnership is part of a tapestry of programs MUSD has pursued on behalf of its students throughout high school and even after graduation.

“At Montebello Unified, we pride ourselves on preparing each student to be ready for college and career. Partnerships with like-minded institutions such as East Los Angeles College that help us keep that commitment,” Contreras Smith said.

Round-trip bus transportation from each of the District’s four high schools was provided for the event, and lunch was served following the informational sessions.

Photo Captions:

MUSDCOLLEGEDAY1: An estimated 250 Montebello Unified juniors and seniors and their parents learned about graduation requirements, the college admissions process, and financial aid during an April 9 college day staged exclusively for them as part of a District partnership with East Los Angeles College (ELAC).

MUSDCOLLEGEDAY2: An estimated 250 Montebello Unified juniors and seniors and their parents learned about graduation requirements, the college admissions process, and financial aid during an April 9 college day staged exclusively for them as part of a District partnership with East Los Angeles College (ELAC).