Dreamer students from Lynwood Unified School District were empowered with vital support, resources and the inspiration to chase their higher education aspirations during the District’s annual Dreamers Conference on April 19, dedicated to the memory of former California Assemblyman and immigrant rights and education trailblazer, Marco Antonio Firebaugh. During the conference, now in its eighth year, Lynwood and Firebaugh high schools students heard from inspiring speakers Andrew Roldan, a Lynwood alumnus, community leader Francisco Moreno and entrepreneur Vincent Ortiz, who shared their moving stories and firsthand advice on navigating challenges as undocumented students, known as Dreamers. Informative workshops covered the misconceptions about college access, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), financial aid and scholarships. Students also accessed financial, legal and health resources.
Fontana High School ensured the legacy of Michael McGinnis, founder of the school’s Fire Technology Career Technical Education (CTE) pathway, will forever burn bright as it dedicated its campus fire station in his honor, officially naming it McGinnis Station 815 during an April 17 ceremony. Fontana High’s campus fire station is a hub of hands-on learning where students enrolled in the school’s Fire Technology and Emergency Services CTE pathways explore careers in firefighting or emergency medical industries. It is a living tribute to McGinnis, who died in 2021 and is remembered for how he inspired Fontana High students to pursue careers in public service.
Using pool noodles as lances and large tricycles as horses, Ramona Middle School seventh-graders faced off in a series of medieval jousting matches during the school’s annual Renaissance Faire, held April 10, where students experienced living history by recreating activities that brought the world out of the Middle Ages. From launching trebuchets and stilt-walking to dressing peasant dolls and creating woodblock prints, Ramona’s Renaissance Faire had something for every student, including a falconry demonstration and a live whip-cracker/juggling performance. Nearly 400 Ramona students participated in the Faire, with the majority dressing in Renaissance-era clothing.
Isabella "Izzy" Nunez, a California High School senior, overcame incredible odds to excel in sports despite being diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis during her freshman year. Her journey began with severe joint pain, but with the support of coach Brian Bordier, she fought back, ultimately playing four years of varsity soccer, three years of varsity lacrosse, and serving as kicker for the Cal High football team, all while maintaining a 4.6 GPA – becoming one of Cal High’s top scholar-athletes, as well as a health and wellness advocate. Nunez was recognized for her resiliency and inspirational story by the Whittier Union Board of Trustees, who honored her with an Award of Merit during an April 9 Board meeting.
Temple College has seen a dramatic increase in student engagement in part by integrating tools and strategies that staff and faculty learned through Caring Campus, which helps educational institutions create welcoming and supportive campuses to promote success of all students. The Institute for Evidence-Based Change created Caring Campus to provide higher education institutions with the knowledge and tactics to increase students’ feelings of connectedness on campus, thereby improving overall persistence, retention, and graduation rates. Texas-based Temple College credits Caring Campus as a contributing force in their student population reaching a full-time majority, with 52% of students enrolled full-time in 2022, compared to 46% in 2020
El Monte Union Prom Fashion Show Electrifies Campus
In celebration of prom season, Mountain View High School’s Class of 2025 hosted a “Prom Fashion Show” on April 12, where students walked the red carpet and showcased different looks to increase excitement about prom, promote inclusivity, and electrify school spirit throughout the campus. As a grand gesture, Friar Tux provided male student models with complimentary suits and Windsor Store provided female student-models with dresses, shoes, and accessories.
Bonita Unified students are getting a head start on their careers in barbering and cosmetology – and preparing to enter the workforce after graduation – through a partnership with the San Antonio Regional Occupational Program (ROP), which provides after-school courses in the two subjects at no cost to students. Bonita High School seniors Alexis Miranda, Bianca Estrella, and Selina Heng became the first BUSD students to complete the cosmetology class at San Antonio ROP in more than 20 years, each putting in 1,000 hours to learn skills in hair cutting, styling, and coloring, manicuring/pedicuring, and skin care services. Since Miranda, Estrella, and Heng completed the program, seven students from Chaparral-Vista, Bonita and San Dimas high schools have enrolled and are working toward their certification in barbering or cosmetology.
Whittier Union Student Advisory Council Tours California State Capitol
Whittier Union High School District’s Student Advisory Council members toured California’s State Capitol on April 3 and met with local lawmakers to learn about the legislative process. Students had the opportunity to step onto the Senate floor and meet with Senator Bob Archuleta and took part in meet and greet sessions with Assemblypersons Blanca Pacheco and Lisa Calderon. The Student Advisory Council consists of students from each of the District’s high schools and is tasked with discussing school events and activities, attending Board meetings, and meeting with the Superintendent to discuss school issues.
La Puente High School students and staff strengthened their dedication to real-world civic action by participating in the National Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) program, a hybrid course developed to educate and train individuals in disaster preparedness, held on April 13. The program was set in motion by the school’s Public Safety Career Technical Education (CTE) pathway instructor Antonia Ramirez. After extensive research, Ramirez introduced 29 CTE students and six staff members, including Principal Dr. Lisa Lopez, to the hybrid CERT program – a nine-unit online course packed with rigorous curricula provided by the University of Utah and completed with a hands-on practical portion led by the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
Lynwood Unified Embarks on New Strategic Plan to Reform Education
Lynwood Unified School District students will benefit from the District’s newly launched Strategic Plan, a dynamic roadmap that aims to guide the District in its mission to provide a world-class education for all students, fostering a culture of excellence, equity, and empowerment. The comprehensive Strategic Plan was developed over 18 months through rigorous research and collaboration with 10 groups of stakeholders, including students, staff, community members, labor unions, and local businesses. To be formally presented during the April 25 Board meeting, the plan outlines four key pillars aimed at driving student and District success: Unlocking Brilliance, Cultivating Talent, Uplifting Community, and Modeling Excellence.
