Bonita High School continues its annual tradition of providing IRS-certified accountants-in-training to help local taxpayers with incomes below $69,000, through its no-cost Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. Bonita High’s VITA program has assisted families in filing their tax returns for more than 20 years, hosting monthly Tax Days dedicated to the services, as well as individual appointments throughout tax season.
Southridge Tech Middle School eighth-grader and community leader Cyrus Moss, who led the effort in the successful renaming of O’Day Short Elementary School to pay tribute to the Short family and formally recognize their place in Fontana’s civil rights history, has been selected to serve as Grand Marshal for the 58th Annual San Bernardino County Black History Parade & Expo.
Upland High School (UHS) celebrated the completion of its new athletic field on Feb. 18 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking a major milestone for the school and broader community. The event honored the generous community partners and donors whose support made the project possible.Local dignitaries, school officials, students, and community members gathered to commemorate the occasion and honor Ralph Cavallo, a beloved community leader who was instrumental in bringing the project to life and who died in early February.
For the second time since 2024, the College Board has recognized three Whittier Union high schools for their continued excellence in developing a college-going culture on campus and creating paths to success in higher education by placing the schools on its 2026 Advanced Placement (AP) Honor Roll. La Serna, Pioneer, and Santa Fe high schools were once again recognized for increasing participation in their AP programs, giving students opportunities to earn college credit while attending high school, and maximizing college readiness. La Serna and Pioneer each received a silver-level award, while Santa Fe received a bronze award.
Fontana Unified School District (FUSD) celebrated academic achievement, strong character, art, and cultural pride at its fourth annual Black History Month celebration on Feb. 7, honoring the achievements and contributions of Black students and families across the District. More than 1,300 Black students in grades 3–12 were recognized for academic success, including high GPAs and excellent attendance. An additional 130 students and parents received Historical Figures Character Awards recognizing their leadership, service, and community engagement.
Sierra Vista Middle School students represented Covina-Valley Unified at the Lone Hill Math Competition on Jan. 24, demonstrating resilience, teamwork, and strong mathematical skills. Competing against five other local schools, the Sierra Vista sixth-grade team earned first place overall, while the seventh-grade team secured third. Each team consisted of four students who volunteered through the Sierra Vista Math Club. Students competed in both individual and team-based rounds, tackling advanced math problems that tested critical thinking, collaboration, and speed.
The Rotary Club of San Dimas continued its annual tradition of supporting Bonita Unified teachers by awarding mini-grants to help fund special projects and classroom learning. Rotary Club president Mike Wallace and secretary Steve Scott presented mini-grants totaling $3,200 to seven teachers during the Feb. 4 Board of Education meeting.
Northview High School junior Julianne Fernandez and senior Genesis Sanchez are gaining firsthand insight into government and building real-world leadership skills through the Young Legislators Program hosted by Assemblywoman Blanca Rubio’s office. The program selects just over 20 students from a pool of more than 100 applicants and consists of monthly, in-person meetings focused on civic engagement, public policy, and essential life skills. Through workshops, simulations, and direct interaction with policymakers, students gain an inside look at how state government operates and how decisions impact local communities.
Whittier Union High School District Adult Transition Program (ATP) students spread love and joy throughout the community by designing, writing, and delivering Valentine’s Day cards to local senior citizens through the American Association of Retired Persons’ (AARP) Wish of a Lifetime Cupid Crew initiative. ATP students delivered more than 200 Valentine’s Day cards to Whittier Meals on Wheels, the Whittier Senior Center, Palms Senior Living, and La Habra Senior Center from Feb. 10-13.
With nerves buzzing and mental dictionaries ready, Bonita Unified students took center stage for the District’s 20th Annual Spelling Bee on Feb. 2, transforming the Bonita Center for the Arts into a high-stakes arena of vocabulary and composure where 56 students battled one by one, ready to spell their way to victory. The competition unfolded over multiple rounds with the field narrowing word by word. In the end, Ally Abad, a fifth-grader from Gladstone Elementary School, claimed first place, followed by fellow Gladstone fifth-grader Maddox Macias in second, and Shull Elementary fourth-grader Sophia Salvador in third place. The win marked the fourth consecutive time a Gladstone student captured the Bonita Unified School District Spelling Bee title.
