Baldwin Park Unified Celebrates Class of 2021 Adult School Graduates
Baldwin Park Adult and Community Education (BPACE) recognized its graduates with a drive-thru ceremony on May 27, honoring those who received career technical education certificates, diplomas and high school equivalency certificates. The Class of 2021 were celebrated by Baldwin Park Unified Superintendent Dr. Froilan N. Mendoza, Board of Education members, BPACE Principal Veronica Valenzuela, school educators and staff, as well as cheering families.
Río Hondo College hosted a festive CARmencement ceremony, welcoming graduates onto campus for a drive-thru event where they received their diplomas from the College’s board of trustees and celebrated their milestone achievement alongside family members, faculty, staff and administrators on May 28. This year, 1,778 students earned Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees. Of those degrees, 1,203 are Associate Degree for transfer, meaning they are eligible for admission to the California State University system.
El Monte Union to Host In-Person Graduation Ceremonies
The El Monte Union High School District will host in-person commencement ceremonies for all six high schools beginning with Fernando R. Ledesma High School at 5 p.m. Thursday, June 3 on the FRLHS campus. Arroyo, El Monte, Mountain View and So. El Monte High School commencement ceremonies will begin at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 3 at their respective campuses. Rosemead High School’s ceremony will take place at 7 p.m. Friday, June 4 at the Arroyo High School stadium. All ceremonies celebrating the Class of 2021 are ticketed events and will practice social distancing. All attendees are required to wear masks.
Energetic pop music and the cheers of teachers filled the air at Corey School on May 25, as the Buena Park School District community honored 79 fifth-graders in dazzlingly decorated cars during a drive-thru promotion ceremony. The afternoon ceremony marked the end of the 2020-21 school year and provided students the opportunity to celebrate with friends and family while thanking teachers for their support.
Lynwood Unified School District’s Washington and Wilson elementary schools showcased new safety features and upgraded facilities during grand openings and ribbon-cutting ceremonies on May 25. District Board members, administrators and the Washington and Wilson school communities gathered for outdoor events to celebrate the improvements, which included: lobby areas that provide a safe buffer between visitors and staff, security cameras and control systems that require visitors to buzz in and be identified before entering the office, and updated fire alarm systems.
The Monrovia Unified School District Board of Education, joined by local elected officials, honored Superintendent Dr. Katherine Thorossian for eight stellar years of service to the District, during its June 23 board meeting. In her final board meeting, Dr. Thorossian was celebrated for her dedication to students and for strengthening the academic tradition in Monrovia. Incoming Superintendent Dr. Ryan Smith will assume his role beginning July 1.
Summit High School sister duo Vanessa and Victoria Reyes will represent Fontana Unified at the International Thespian Festival this summer, following dynamic, highly honored theatrical performances during the California State Thespian Festival. Vanessa and Victoria – in their junior and senior years at Summit, respectively – diligently crafted virtual performances that earned superior markings from the judges during the state competition, exceeding all requirements and performing at an “above standard” quality. Vanessa and Victoria share a love of the arts that has flourished at Summit High School, inspiring Victoria to remain involved in local theater after graduation and Vanessa to pursue a career as a voice actor.
Bonita Unified School District will host three separate in-person commencement ceremonies for the Class of 2021, allowing seniors to end the year celebrating with family, friends and teachers. San Dimas High School will host its commencement at 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 8 at the San Dimas High Stadium; Chaparral-Vista High School holds its ceremony at 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 9 at Bonita High Stadium; and Bonita High holds its ceremony at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 10 at Bonita High Stadium. Tickets are required for in-person admission. All ceremonies will be livestreamed.
Two Fontana High School seniors enrolled in the college-prep elective Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) received scholarships worth $1,500 to ease their transition into higher education, thanks to the Riverside Inyo Mono San Bernardino (RIMS) AVID Scholarship Program. Fatima Kamara and Michelle Navarrete Vega are first-generation college students who joined Fontana High’s AVID program as freshmen, using the program to develop study skills, learn about the college application process, access scholarship opportunities, and immerse themselves in a college-going culture. Kamara will attend Yale University and study political science, and Navarrete Vega will attend UCLA and major in computer science.
Río Hondo College has honored five students with its 2021 Extraordinary Graduating Students award, a distinction that recognizes individuals who have reached their goals while overcoming adversity and personal tragedies. This semester’s award winners are Albert Steven Mendoza Jr., Dominic Castanon, Pretty Star Garcia, Luis Albert Cruz and Stephanie Paz. They were selected by faculty members for their stellar work ethic and ambition for achievement.
