El Monte Union Teacher Receives Bobby Salcedo Esperanza Award
South El Monte High School math teacher Oscar Castillo was named a 2020 Bobby Salcedo Esperanza Award recipient at the 17th annual Tamalada fundraiser on Dec. 10. The award – named for a respected El Monte Union educator who died in 2009 – is given to outstanding educators who exemplify Salcedo’s tireless commitment to education. The El Monte Union Nutrition Services Department was also recognized at the event, which is sponsored by the El Monte Promise Foundation, for its heroic efforts since the start of the pandemic. Juan Munoz from El Monte City School District and Ruby Huesca from the Mountain View School District were also recognized as Bobby Salcedo Esperanza Award winners.
Baldwin Park Unified High School Senior Named Coca-Cola Semifinalist
Baldwin Park High School senior Kohle Jackson was named one of 1,609 semifinalists for the 2021 Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation Scholarship, out of more than 99,000 applicants from across the country. Jackson is advancing to the next round, in which 250 seniors will be named regional finalists. 150 students will ultimately be named Coca-Cola scholars and win a $20,000 college scholarship.
Fontana High School has been designated as a Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (MCJROTC) Naval Honor School for the 14th time, recognizing the program’s continued legacy of excellence and success in cultivating young leaders. Awarded by the Commanding General of the Marine Corps Training and Education Command, the 2019-20 Naval Honor School distinction celebrates top-performing MCJROTC programs in the U.S.
More than 400 families drove through a tunnel of Christmas lights, enjoyed performances by Folklorico dancers, received an authentic tamale dinner and treats from Santa, including pan dulce, during El Monte Union High School District’s third annual Posada holiday event on Dec. 4. Blending Mexican and American traditions, the District’s Posada offered parents and students the opportunity to gather safely for a night of good food and fun. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s Posada was transformed by staff and parent volunteers into a drive-thru parade.
Buena Park School District’s partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of Buena Park is providing socio-economically disadvantaged students with a safe place to participate in remote learning, allowing them to learn and grow in a fun environment. Director of Child Welfare and Attendance Dr. Elsie Briseno Simonovski said the partnership was created to provide students who live in motels, shelters, camp sites, cars or share residences with other families, with a daily space to work during distance-learning lessons. Students involved with the free program can use the Boys & Girls Club facilities, its high-speed internet and its staff for homework help.
Teacher recipient for bringing joy to the hearts of her graduating seniors, just one of 20 teachers nationwide to receive the award. Rojas, who hand-delivered chocolate treats and gift bags to her students after school closures disrupted their traditional prom and graduation activities, accepted her award via Zoom conference on Nov. 20, receiving a $5,000 stipend to spend on school supplies.
Five Fontana Unified seniors with dreams of helping others and uplifting communities will attend elite colleges and universities across the country, funded by full-ride QuestBridge National College Match scholarships. Fontana High School seniors Vanessa Gutierrez and Fatima Kamara matched with Scripps College and Yale University, respectively; Kaiser High School seniors David Aguilar and Marco Garcia received scholarships to Northwestern University and University of Pennsylvania, respectively; and Jurupa Hills High senior John Nino Requieron matched with Boston College. Fontana Unified’s QuestBridge Scholars are among 1,464 students who matched with a QuestBridge college partner this year, receiving early admission and four-year scholarships that cover the full cost of attendance.
Lynwood Unified High School Helps Students Pursue Higher Education
Scores of Lynwood High School seniors are completing college applications with help received during more than a dozen socially distanced workshops provided by Lynwood High School counselors and staff. Workshops were launched in early October and have continued through November, providing students tailored guidance during the application process, including assistance with personal statements, choosing a major and applying for financial aid. There have been 13 workshop sessions, with 15 to 20 students attending each.
Whittier Union High School Seniors Offer ‘Wednesday Wisdom’ Advice
La Serna High School seniors are connecting with one another to offer advice through a new Instagram series, “Wednesday Wisdom.” In the most recent episode, seniors Marcus Ruiz, Melea Earley, Katie Garcia, Justin Hernandez, Remy Vigil, Jayben Romo and Adrian Marquez offered advice for mental wellness and being organized as students tackle assignments and college applications. In short video sequences, the seniors suggested daily mental wellness checks; encouraged the use of a daily planner to track deadlines; and highlighted the importance of not getting in the way of your own goals.
Río Hondo College Child Development Center Earns National Certification
Río Hondo College Child Development Center has earned accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the world's largest organization working on behalf of young children. NAEYC Accreditation is a rigorous and transformative system that uses 10 research-based standards to collaborate with early education programs to recognize and drive improvement in high-quality early learning environments. The center is currently serving a reduced capacity of students in keeping with COVID-19 restrictions.
