A.B. Miller High School senior Damien Herrera has always had an interest in flying – one that turned into a passion through the school’s aviation career technical education (CTE) pathway. Now, Herrera will have the opportunity to turn that passion into a career, aided by a $10,000 scholarship from the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA). Herrera, who was surprised with the scholarship on Nov. 11, is the second A.B. Miller aviation student to receive a scholarship this year. Fellow senior Nathan Aguilar also secured one in June 2022 from the EAA, a community of engaged aviation enthusiasts dedicated to growing participation in aviation.
Lone Hill Middle School students are finding their rhythm as artists and leaders, building a community and developing skills to carry them confidently into high school, college and career through the school’s dance team. The Lone Hill Dance Team (LHDT) launched six years ago when a group of students approached their counselor for assistance in forming a team. With oversight from the counselor, LHDT is led by the students – who choreograph their own routines and teach them to each other, becoming strong leaders and collaborators in the process. The team showcases its artistic skill throughout the school year – performing at lunchtime pep rallies, back to school night, open house, holiday events and an end-of-year talent show.
El Monte Union to Host Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony at Ledesma High
The El Monte Union High School District will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony in celebration of Fernando R. Ledesma High School’s newly built Multipurpose Building and Gymnasium at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 7. The renovated building features a performance space, basketball court, fitness areas and outdoor classrooms. Local dignitaries, school officials, students, alumni and community members will celebrate the ribbon-cutting with a special student performance, honorary speeches, tours and refreshments. Fernando R. Ledesma High School is located at 12347 Ramona Blvd., El Monte.
Buena Park School District will host its inaugural Superintendent’s Cup soccer tournament from 1 to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3 to see which school reigns supreme on the soccer field. Teams consisting of students in grades three, four and five representing all five District elementary schools will compete in a series of short matches focusing on building teamwork, social-emotional intelligence and good decision making. The event will be held at the Buena Park High School stadium located at 8833 Academy Drive, Buena Park.
Bonita Unified School District Director of Educational Technology Kris Boneman has been recognized as the California IT In Education (CITE) 2022 Educational Leader of the Year for her efforts to successfully employ information technology in the learning process, with the goal of empowering educators to know their data and use it to improve student outcomes. Boneman will be honored at the 2022 CITE Conference, held Nov. 29 to Dec. 2 at the Long Beach Convention Center.
Río Hondo College’s Dance Program will host “In Motion,” a fall dance concert, featuring a selection of newly choreographed works by faculty members, students, community organizations and alumni at the Wray Theater at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 2 and 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3. Admission is free, but a suggested $10 donation will enter guests into a raffle to win a secret grand prize created by the dancers. All donations will benefit the Río Hondo College Dance Program and will help select students to attend the 2023 American College Dance Association Conference at University of California, Irvine. The Wray Theater is located at 3600 Workman Mill Road, Whittier.
Former A.B. Miller High School media teacher Leo Rivas was named a San Bernardino County 2023 Teacher of the Year, a fitting final tribute for the popular teacher who inspired scores of A.B. Miller students to develop a passion for TV and film production before leaving the District to work for the AIDS Healthcare Foundation. Rivas, who was previously recognized as the Fontana Unified 2021-22 Teacher of the Year, helped create a three-year media production pathway at A.B. Miller, teaching beginning and advanced concepts of TV and film production, giving students a chance to earn college credits, and paving the way for the acclaimed student-produced news program ABTV and the annual A.B. Miller Film Festival. He is one of four educators to be honored as a San Bernardino County Teacher of the Year.
Citrus Elementary School fifth-grade students held flags and banners aloft, waved blue and yellow pompoms and shouted “U-C-L-A, fight, fight, fight!” in honor of their adopted homeroom university during a college day rally designed to encourage Citrus students to plan their future in higher education. The monthly rallies are just one element of Citrus Elementary’s schoolwide College Bound initiative that includes instruction provided by the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) college-prep program. Every Citrus class, from kindergarten to grade six, employs AVID strategies that help students organize their tools, time and thought to spur student achievement and inspire students to think of college as their destiny.
Eight Covina-Valley Unified School District students will join the Board of Education and serve as a voice for their peers after being sworn in as 2022-23 student board representatives at the Board of Education meeting on Nov. 14. Every school year, the District will select a student board member and an alternate from each of C-VUSD’s four high schools to participate in the governance process of the district, learn essential democratic skills, and represent and advocate for their peers. South Hills High junior Ahriana Chavez, Northview High senior Princess Espinoza Conde, Covina High junior Ashley Raffaeli, and Fairvalley High senior Bryan Santana were selected as this year’s representatives. Students interested in running for student board representative seats went through an interview process and then took part in an election at their schools. Junior Thaiz Gonzalez (Northview), senior Sofia Lopez (Fairvalley), junior Aiyana Martel (Covina), and junior Izabella Vazquez (South Hills) will serve as the student board alternates.
Whittier Union Transition Program student Frederick Bartz arrives at school each morning with a smile on his face and bursting with confidence. The 21-year-old, who is in his fourth and final year of the Transition program and known simply as Fred, brings a positive outlook and genial sense of humor to class that sets an excellent example for his younger peers in the program. When Fred arrives on campus, he barely stops to take a breath before heading out to perform volunteer work at the Whittier Area Cooperative Special Education Program (WACSEP) or work at one of his many part-time jobs in the community. For his progress and tremendous growth, Fred was recognized by the Whittier Union Board of Trustees with an Award of Merit during its Nov. 8 Board meeting. During the meeting, Fred used his communication device to thank the Board for the recognition. Whittier Union Transition teacher Darla Breiling, who joined Fred and his family, was effusive in her praise.
