Whittier Union Basketball Team Makes First Appearance in CIF Finals
The La Serna High School Lancer boys basketball team completed a whirlwind season which saw them go undefeated in Del Rio League play, then battle their way to their first-ever CIF Southern Section Division 3AA championship game on Feb. 25. Though the Lancers came up just short of winning the CIF title, they established a new team record with 27 wins and thrilled their fans with their hard-fought triumphs, including an exhilarating 77-75 overtime quarterfinal win over Hillcrest High School, which was followed by a 41-38 victory over Camarillo High School in the semifinals.
Fernando R. Ledesma High School is one of 37 schools in the state to be recognized as a 2023 Model Continuation High School, a designation awarded by the California Department of Education to schools that provide exemplary programs to at-risk youth through innovative instructional strategies, flexible scheduling, and guidance and counseling services. Fernando R. Ledesma High has successfully provided education to students through modern and innovative practices. The school will retain its Model Continuation High School designation for three years.
Six robotics teams from Baldwin Park Unified School District’s BP STEM Academy qualified for the VEX Robotics State Championships in early March, showcasing the students’ critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities and teamwork. Four of the teams advancing consist of secondary-level students and the remaining two teams consist of elementary students – showcasing the growth the teams have sustained in the Academy’s first year of offering the program at the elementary level. Elementary teams will compete March 4 at the Maywood Center for Enriched Studies and secondary teams will compete March 5 at Damien High School.
Fontana Unified Teacher Honored for Commitment to Social Justice
Ashley Silva believes that providing students an opportunity to learn a second language will create a community empowered to fight for social justice and guide future generations. Inspired by the Hawaiian concept of ‘Ohana, the Dolores Huerta International Academy sixth-grade Spanish dual-language immersion teacher considers each student in her classroom to be part of her family. In Silva’s classrooms, students support and encourage each other, even in their most difficult moments, and grow as a family, sharing stories and building on personal connections. For providing these unforgettable learning moments, Silva received the fifth annual Alma Flor Ada Award for Social Justice during the Jornada Pedagógica Professional Development Conference on Feb. 4.
Baldwin Park Unified to Host Grand Opening for Wellness Center
Baldwin Park High School is hosting a grand-opening for its Wellness Center from 10 a.m. to noon on Friday, March 10. In collaboration with the Los Angeles County Office of Education’s Community Schools initiative, Baldwin Park High mental health staff created a designated safe space for students to check in, take a break from the day and learn about important mental health and wellness strategies. The center is open before school, at brunch and at lunch. Baldwin Park High is located at 3900 N. Puente Ave., Baldwin Park.
Dolores Huerta International Academy (DHIA) has earned the 2023 Seal of Excellence School Award from the California Association for Bilingual Education (CABE), celebrating its commitment to preparing students for college and careers through its popular dual-language immersion (DLI) program. DHIA is one of a few K-6 full DLI and International Baccalaureate authorized schools in the country. The Seal of Excellence is one of CABE’s highest awards and recognizes schools for their vision of biliteracy, multicultural competency and commitment toward educational equality for all. DHIA will be honored at the CABE 2023 Seal of Excellence Banquet on March 24.
On his first day of practice as a member of the San Dimas High golf team, Class of 2008 graduate J.J. Spaun met the man who would help propel him to a career as a professional golfer on the PGA Tour, Saints coach Doug Shultz. From Spaun’s first practice as a freshman until his final putt as a senior, leading the Saints to their fourth consecutive league championship, Shultz was there to guide him. Spaun returned to campus on Feb. 22 to dedicate a memorial bench to the late Shultz, honoring the man who devoted so much time to his players in more than 20 years as a coach.
South Hills High School students are learning the unique skill sets they need to thrive in the world of business thanks to the school’s Business Management Career Technical Education pathway, which offers students the chance to learn and grow by operating as real companies. The pathway consists of four classes: Entrepreneurship, Sports Management, International Baccalaureate Business Management, and Virtual Enterprise. Virtual Enterprise, the most advanced class in the pathway, groups students into different functional departments -- including executive office, marketing, design, finance, and human resources -- and challenges them to design and develop a product of their own. Students can take the Virtual Enterprise class multiple times to gain experience in different business roles and with different business plans.
Whittier High School senior Adria Marin likes to take the initiative. Whether she is volunteering for a nonprofit organization, advocating for underrepresented students, creating a photography portfolio or building a pathway to higher education, Marin always does her research, comes prepared and leaves nothing to chance. Marin, who has a 4.4 GPA, has received early acceptance to Barnard College in New York City – one of the prestigious “Seven Sisters” universities – where she plans to study political science and French, with a career focus on international relations. For her leadership and devotion to advocacy, Marin was presented with an Award of Merit by the Whittier Union Board of Trustees during a Feb. 14 Board meeting.
Lynwood Unified Hosts “Inspire” College and Career Fair
Lynwood Unified hosted an “Inspire” College and Career Fair at Firebaugh High School on Feb. 10, providing graduating seniors the opportunity to explore pathways to their future. The fair served as a valuable tool for students who may not be looking to enroll at a traditional four-year university and are still exploring their post-graduation plans, whether they be attending a community college or pursuing a vocation. Seniors from Firebaugh, Lynwood and Vista high schools met with representatives from organizations and colleges, including America's Job Center, Long Beach City College, Amazon, Cerritos College, Caltrans, Lynwood Partners Educational Foundation and more.
