In 1991, Bonita Unified band director Kelly Leyva showcased her musical talent on a world stage, marching in the Tournament of Roses Parade as a student in Los Angeles Unified School District’s All District Honor Marching Band. In a full-circle moment, Leyva will return to march the 5.5-mile parade route in the 2022 Tournament of Roses Parade – this time, as part of a 270-member marching band consisting of band directors from across the United States. As part of the Saluting America’s Band Directors project, Leyva and her fellow band directors will perform in the Band Directors Marching Band and accompany a colorful, animated float that embodies the theme “America’s Band Directors: We teach music. We teach life.” Leyva will play the mellophone, the same instrument she played in the parade 31 years ago.
El Monte Union High School District released an additional draft trustee area map for public review and comment. The District, like many other school districts and cities in the state, is in the process of changing how members of the Board of Trustees are elected to office. A total of seven draft maps of what trustee areas in the District could look like have been shared with the public. Beginning in November 2022, registered voters will vote for a single Board of Trustees candidate residing in their newly drawn trustee area, comprised of one-fifth of the entire school district. Registered voters will not be able to vote for Board of Trustee candidates from trustee areas in which they do not reside.
South Hills High School head football coach, Danilo Robinson, resigned his coaching position today. Robinson saw the team through the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, charting a course to keep players safe while returning them to the field.
Fontana Unified Board of Education Selects New Leadership
Fontana Unified School District’s Board of Education held its annual organizational meeting on Dec. 15, voting its members into new leadership roles for 2022. The Board selected Dr. Jennifer Quezada as president and Joe Armendarez as vice president/clerk. Members Adam Perez, Mary Sandoval and Marcelino “Mars” Serna complete the Board of Education.
Whittier Union High School District Board of Trustees Reorganizes
Whittier Union High School District’s Board of Trustees held its annual reorganization meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 14, which saw Dr. Russell Castañeda-Calleros step into his new role as president. The Board also selected Jeff Baird to serve as vice president and Leighton Anderson to serve as clerk. Outgoing Board President Dr. Ralph Pacheco and Board member Jaime Lopez will assume their roles as members of the Board of Trustees. Pacheco was honored as outgoing president for his commitment to students and managing the shift to remote learning during the 2020-21 school year. Pacheco was presented flowers and a wooden Whittier Union bookstand made by Santa Fe High School woodshop students.
Baldwin Park Unified Board of Education Reorganizes Officers
Baldwin Park Unified’s Board of Education held its annual organization meeting on Dec. 14, selecting Betsabel Lara as president and Diana E. Miranda-Dzib as clerk/vice president. This is Lara’s first term as president of the Board, succeeding Board member Christina Lucero. After the reorganization, the District honored Lucero and outgoing clerk/vice president Lara for leading the Board and District during the COVID-19 pandemic.
El Monte Union Spreads Holiday Spirit and Cheer with Family Posada
The El Monte Union High School District hosted its fourth annual Family Posada on Dec. 10, welcoming more than 1,000 families to the event with featured appearances from Santa Claus, folklórico dancers, school swag giveaways, snow, and food such as tamales and pan dulce. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Family Posada was transformed by staff and parent volunteers into a drive-thru parade, during which cars lined up outside the District office before touring through a snowy Christmas light tunnel.
Fontana Unified will bring holiday cheer to families in need on Saturday, Dec. 18 with its annual Fontana Santas Toy Drive distribution, a drive-thru event that will provide students with toys and gifts. Held at the District office, 9680 Citrus Ave., Fontana, the event will culminate Fontana Unified’s 24th annual holiday toy drive, for which community organizations, District employees and Fontana residents donated toys and gifts cards.
Río Hondo College solidified a partnership with Whittier College, which allows Río Hondo College students to stay in the Whittier College residence halls in exchange for re-housing vouchers, during the Dec. 8 Board of Trustees meeting. The partnership between Río Hondo College and Whittier College aims to alleviate the housing issues faced by some socio-economically disadvantaged students. This partnership was approved to start in Spring 2022 and end June 30, 2026.
Fontana High School Class of 2021 graduate Therelin Segura was honored by the National Latino Peace Officers Association (NLPOA) Inland Empire Chapter, receiving a $500 scholarship during its 2021 Officer Down Memorial Scholarship banquet on Dec. 5. A four-year member of FOHI’s Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps, Segura rose to the rank of Cadet Lieutenant Colonel and served as Cadet Commanding Officer for the entire program in her senior year. Segura is currently attending Cal Baptist University and studying law enforcement while working toward becoming a commissioned officer in the Marine Corps.
