Buena Park School District students are mastering public speaking, expanding their acting skills and learning how to improvise as part of the District’s speech and debate summer program. The summer program is a two-week course that will prepare 51 students – from grades four to eight – for success in the District’s main speech and debate program, as well as tournaments. While in the course, students are either placed in a writing workshop or learn to deliver specific speech topics, which include informative, original orator, declamation, interpretation and impromptu.
Nearly 2,800 Whittier Union High School District students made their way across the graduation stage during in-person graduation ceremonies held June 1-3, marking their milestone achievement through an unprecedented school year with emotional speeches, musical performances and tears of joy. The socially distanced ceremonies looked vastly different than years past, but provided a sense of normalcy to students, families and staff. Students maintained their distance from each other as they were escorted onto the field and seated six feet apart. Families remained socially distanced in the stands through fixed seating, implemented to ensure compliance with county and state regulations.
A.B. Miller High School Class of 2021 graduate Luzmila Munoz has been named a Dell Scholar by the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation, an honor that comes with a $20,000 scholarship to support her dream of higher education. Munoz is a first-generation, college-bound Latina student who has a 4.46 GPA and has completed eight Advanced Placement classes, six Honors classes and eight dual-enrollment college classes. She plans to attend UC San Diego and major in computer science and engineering.
El Monte Union High School District honored the Class of 2021 with in-person graduation ceremonies for El Monte, South El Monte, Rosemead, Arroyo, Mountain View and Fernando R. Ledesma high schools, inviting graduates, family members and staff to celebrate together after a year in remote learning. The ceremonies, held June 3 and 4, brought students and families back to the schools’ outdoor stadiums and courtyards, where they followed safety protocols that included masks and social distancing.
Longtime Monrovia Unified educator Susan Hirsch dedicated her career to championing student wellness and equipping students with the skills and support for success. Hirsch, who died in December 2020, worked in Monrovia Unified for more than 30 years, building a legacy of compassion and connection. On June 3, the Board of Education dedicated Monrovia High School’s Wellness Center – of which Hirsch was the architect – in her memory, renaming it the Susan Hirsch Wellness Center.
More than 100 El Monte Union parent leaders, representing all five District comprehensive schools, were recognized for their volunteer spirit, guidance, and support during a Parent Leader Appreciation drive-thru celebration, held May 27. Superintendent Dr. Edward Zuniga greeted the parents, thanking them for their support and presenting them with certificates of recognition and a commemorative El Monte Union ‘Parent Leader’ T-shirt. Parents also received gift bags filled with personal protective equipment from their school’s principal and community liaison.
Lynwood Unified Teacher Receives Grant to Study Greek Archeology
Lynwood Middle School history teacher Dr. Dawndria Cox received a William Sanders Scarborough Fellowship for 2021-22 and admission into the 2021 Summer Program at the American School of Classical Studies in Athens. The Scarborough Fellowship is worth $10,000 and will cover all expenses related to the experience, such as airfare, lodging, museum entrance fees and tuition to the prestigious six-week summer program.
Baldwin Park Unified Lauds Class of 2021 with In-Person Ceremonies
Baldwin Park Unified celebrated its Class of 2021 with in-person and drive-thru events for Baldwin Park and Sierra Vista high schools and North Park Continuation High School. Baldwin Park High School recognized seniors in small cohorts, during traditional commencement ceremonies on June 2 and 3. North Park hosted in-person graduations on June 2 followed by a drive-thru celebration on June 3. Sierra Vista High School graduates were cheered on by family members as they accepted their diplomas in small groups during socially distanced ceremonies on June 3.
Fontana Unified Theater Students Advance to International Festival
Summit High School sister duo Vanessa and Victoria Reyes will represent Fontana Unified at the International Thespian Festival – held Tuesday, June 22 to Friday, June 25 – following dynamic, highly honored theatrical performances during the California State Thespian Festival. Vanessa, a rising senior and Victoria, a Class of 2021 graduate, 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.
Fontana Unified School District was recognized as a state leader in the field of cybersecurity education during the inaugural Inland Empire (IE) Cybersecurity Apprenticeship Symposium, held virtually on May 24. The symposium brought together local leaders from IE business and academic sectors to pledge support for an apprenticeship initiative that can be replicated in regions across the state. Summit High School junior Gabriel Navarro spoke to business and academic leaders about the importance of building a skilled local workforce through apprenticeships. As an integral member of Summit’s cybersecurity team, Navarro has helped lead the team to gold medals in events such as the Mayor’s Cup and SkillsUSA.
