Whittier Union Alternative Schools Host Virtual Awards Ceremony
Whittier Union alternative schools – including Sierra Vista High School, Frontier High School and the WUHSD Transition Program – celebrated its top students for their high academic achievements during a virtual awards ceremony on Feb. 25. More than 120 students were recognized in the categories “Student of the Term,” recommended by teachers, and “Top Producers,” given to students who exceeded the minimum number of credits during the second quarter.
Lynwood Unified Senior Prepares for Higher Education by Serving Community
Lynwood High School senior Alexa Escamilla is preparing for higher education by doing what she loves, helping others. For Escamilla, who has a 4.6 GPA, community service has given her purpose amid the uncertainty of the world over the past year. Escamilla is targeting Columbia University and UCLA as two prospective schools to attend in the fall.
Whittier Union High School Celebrates Top Students with Drive-thru Event
La Serna High School held its 15th annual Be Your Best awards ceremony on Feb. 19 with a drive-thru celebration that honored more than 100 students for their excellence during remote learning. Traditionally celebrated through grade level assemblies, this year’s ceremony allowed students the opportunity to see one another from a distance as they received a Be Your Best certificate and T-shirt. P
South El Monte and El Monte high school students won a total of 24 awards during the 2021 Future Business Leaders of America Virtual Inland Section Leadership Conference, securing an opportunity to compete in the state finals in April. The winning students demonstrated their excellence in categories including business communication, entrepreneurship, accounting, marketing, management decision making, international business and public speaking.
Abbott Elementary School students welcomed rapper, writer, producer and “Hamilton” star Daveed Diggs to a virtual assembly that celebrated music and the arts on Feb. 24. The award-winning actor visited students through the Turnaround Arts: California program to inspire students to follow their passion.
Students in Buena Park School District’s Early Learning Programs gathered on campus for the return of in-person instruction, providing them with a renewed opportunity to meet new friends, build relationships with their teachers, and continue their educational growth. The District’s phased reopening has begun with its youngest students in state preschool and special education early learning classrooms at Buena Park Learning Center, Gilbert, Pendleton and Whitaker schools.
Sequoia Middle School eighth-grader Matthew Barrera was recognized by the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) Region 12 Board of Directors with the 2021 Every Student Succeeding Award, celebrating his academic achievement and leadership in the classroom. Barrera has risen to the challenges posed by the death of his mother when he was 11 years old and a relocation from Idaho to California to live with relatives, becoming a straight-A student and distance learning mentor. Barrera will receive a $1,000 scholarship and be recognized in the ACSA Region 12 online award ceremony in May.
Lynwood High School senior Alexa Escamilla is preparing for higher education by doing what she loves most - helping others. For Alexa, serving the community she loves has given her purpose amid the uncertainty of the world around her over the past year. Alexa, who is among the top of her LHS class with a 4.6 GPA, is targeting Columbia University and UCLA as two prospective schools to attend this fall. One would keep her closer to her family, the other would allow her to venture to the East Coast and join the Ivy League as LHS 2020 graduate Jaren Johnson (Dartmouth) did before her.
El Monte Union High School District will expand its dual enrollment program through new partnerships with Pasadena City College (PCC) and Los Angeles Trade Tech College (LATTC), providing students with more opportunities to get a head start on their post-secondary education by earning college credits while concurrently enrolled in high school.
Beginning in 2021-22, Rosemead High School will offer a Professional Theater and Stagecraft pathway through PCC, with all courses to be taught at the Rosemead High Auditorium. El Monte, South El Monte and Fernando R. Ledesma high schools will offer a Construction and Carpentry pathway through LATTC. These pathways will be taught at the school sites by PCC and LATTC professors.
Whittier Union Junior Honored as Boys & Girls Club 2021 Youth of the Year
La Serna High School junior Keyaira Bascus was honored as the Boys & Girls Club of Whittier’s 2021 Youth of the Year for her outstanding bravery, resilience, and courage. Bascus was one of three Whittier Union finalists, including La Serna High junior Norberto Reyes and Whittier High School senior Isaac Guerrero, with each finalist receiving a $3,333 scholarship to support their post-secondary academic goals. Pioneer High School senior Jeremiah Parra received the Whittier Union Outstanding Member Award for his character and citizenship.
