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.
When Whittier High School senior Isabel Luna joined the school’s Chess Club, she was looking to challenge herself and connect with her peers in a way that went beyond Zoom conferencing. At first intimidated by what she perceived was a male-dominated sport, Luna learned that chess can be mastered with patience and dedication. Quarantining at home, Luna discovered correspondence chess, which is typically played through the postal system or email. Through correspondence chess, Luna has sharpened her skills in the comfort of her home, gained new friends and exercised her brain. In the process, Luna has emerged as one of the top-ranked female correspondence chess players in the United States.
Santa Fe High School senior Madison Kelly will pursue her dream of studying aquatic mammals and ecosystems at UC San Diego – on her way to a career as a marine biologist – with the help of a $20,000 Destiny Scholarship, awarded annually by the City of Santa Fe Springs Chamber of Commerce. Kelly – recognized as an exceptional graduating senior by the chamber – has completed six Advanced Placement classes, five Honors classes, is listed as one of Santa Fe’s Top 100 students and has competed on Santa Fe’s swim and water polo teams. Kelly is also a public programs docent for the Ocean Institute of Dana Point.
Whittier Union Students Receive COVID-19 Vaccine
In partnership with PIH Health Whittier Hospital, Whittier Union High School District held a vaccination clinic on May 18, providing the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine to students. Some students were taken to the clinic by their parents, while others received transportation from the District, which sent buses to pick them up at their school site. Whittier Union is looking to expand the partnership with PIH Health and continue to offer the vaccine for students who are interested in receiving it. Photos are available.
Kaiser Permanente Provides Vaccines to Baldwin Park Unified Community
Baldwin Park Unified students ages 12 to 15 and their families can receive free COVID-19 vaccinations through a District partnership with Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Park Medical Center. The vaccination center is located at Esther Snyder Community Center, 4100 Baldwin Park Blvd., Baldwin Park. The center is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
El Monte Union Students Ranked Nationally in Wrestling
Arroyo High School juniors Brianna and Emilie Gonzalez have been ranked by Team USA and USA Wrestling on the National Girls High School Rankings List, with Brianna Gonzalez ranked #1 and Emilie Gonzalez ranked #10 out of 25 girls in the 100 pounds category.
El Monte Union Senior Selected as 2021 Edison Scholar
South El Monte High School senior Vanessa Amezcua has been selected as a 2021 Edison Scholar, thanks to her activism within her own community and at school. Amezcua wants to effect change that will improve the environment surrounding under-resourced communities. After graduation, Amezcua plans to attend college and major in environmental science.
Fontana Unified’s five comprehensive high schools have been listed among the top-performing public high schools in the state and country, according to the 2021 Best High Schools rankings by U.S. News and World Report. A.B. Miller, Fontana, Henry J. Kaiser, Jurupa Hills, and Summit high schools earned high rankings among approximately 1,675 high schools in California, celebrating their strong academic performance and college-prep programs. Each high school celebrated a graduation rate of 91% or higher. Fontana Unified offers a Districtwide college and career readiness program, providing students with rigorous courses and hands-on learning experiences that increase access to post-secondary education and employment opportunities.
Bonita Unified Teacher Receives Surprise from SoCal Honda Dealers
Andrea Castaneda, a teacher for the Autism Spectrum Disorders Intermediate (ASD-I) classroom at Lone Hill Middle School, received a surprise visit from the SoCal Helpful Honda Dealers on May 7, bestowing her with a variety of tools and equipment, including an iPad charging cart; Hokki stools, which provide flexible seating for students with sensory needs; books; and desk fidget bands, which allow students to move their feet and legs while they sit. Photos are available.
