Fernando R. Ledesma High School students delved into the complexities of the legal system through a realistic mock murder trial experience on March 15, gaining insight into the workings of the modern judiciary firsthand. Dubbed “People vs. Hayes,” the mock murder trial served as the final project for Fernando Ledesma seniors. The murder trial simulation aimed to foster a deeper understanding of court proceedings and encouraged students to use their critical thinking, research, and public speaking skills throughout the trial.
Eric Birch High School earned its first-ever Model Continuation School designation from the California Department of Education for its alternative programming designed to empower at-promise youth to pursue academic and personal success. Birch High joined an esteemed list of 31 schools to secure Model Continuation School status in 2024. Model Continuation Schools retain their designation for three years and will be formally recognized during the 2024 California Continuation Education Association Plus State Conference in Los Angeles on April 25-28.
Chaparral-Vista High School was once again designated as a California Model Continuation High School by the California Department of Education (CDE), recognizing the school for providing comprehensive services to at-promise students through exemplary instructional strategies, flexible scheduling, and guidance and counseling services. Chaparral-Vista was first designated as a Model Continuation High School in 2021. The award is sponsored by the California Continuation Education Association Plus (CCEA+), which advocates for the betterment of alternative education. CCEA+ representatives praised Chaparral-Vista’s approach to socio-emotional learning through its Serenity spaces, its culinary arts curriculum and students’ commitment to their education.
Grammy Award-winning jazz musician and band leader Gordon Goodwin returned to Bonita Unified with his world-famous Big Phat Band for a concert that showcased All-District Jazz Ensemble musicians and served as a tribute to longtime Bonita High music teacher Robin Snyder, who is credited with introducing jazz into Southern California school music programs in the 1960s. Goodwin, who graduated from Bonita High School in 1973, performed double duty at the March 16 Bonita Center for the Arts show, jamming with All-District players during their opening set, then leading a nearly two-hour performance with his 19-member group. In between songs, Goodwin took time to reminisce about his years at Bonita High, and how Snyder helped develop his career.
La Puente High School's dynamic running group, LP Runs LA, showcased their grit and determination at the 39th Annual Los Angeles Marathon on March 17, which saw 19 student-athletes and four teachers put their year-long training to the test as they tackled the grueling 26.2-mile course among a crowd of approximately 25,000 racers. La Puente High School educators, club advisors, and avid runners Ana Benitez and Wesley Perez said they started LP Runs LA in 2015 aiming to bring the many health and socio-emotional benefits of running to the students and staff of La Puente. This year marked LP Runs LA's seventh race, with three runners earning an LA Loyal pin for completing the journey around some of the city’s most notable landmarks for the second time.
California High School’s acclaimed Chamber Choir offers a safe space for its singers, with the inclusive environment in Cal High Choir Director Dan Hawkins’ classroom encouraging students to showcase their talents without prejudice and find their voice as performers who are prepared to take their vocal gifts to the next level. This year, four Cal High Chamber Choir members have been recognized for their excellence by being named to prestigious regional honor choirs. Seniors Roxie Navarro and Larissa Ortega and junior Allison Orellana-Mejia were selected to the Western American Choral Directors Association’s (WACDA) High School Honor Choir. The three singers performed together at the 2024 WACDA Pasadena Conference Honor Choir concert, held March 9. Ortega was also selected, along with sophomore David Gutierrez, for the Southern California Vocal Association (SCVA) Honor Choir, with both students performing at the SCVA Honor Choir concert at Redlands University in November 2023.
Summit High School senior Nicole Bell aspires to reshape the landscape of the film and television industry one day and pursue a career where she can champion Black representation and contribute to fostering positive diversity and inclusion in the industry. Bell's leadership qualities and goal to blaze trails for the Black community led to her being recognized and receiving a $1,000 grant during a virtual Celebrating Black Success event on Feb. 24. She currently serves as co-director of SkyHawk Productions, Summit High’s TV Production program, where she is exploring potential career pathways where she can make an impact in film and television.
Los Angeles Pierce College is strengthening its culture of belonging for both students and staff by successfully implementing Caring Campus, a program that teaches principles, tactics, and habits to create a more welcoming, connected environment, thereby improving student retention and success. Data from the Institute for Evidence-Based Change shows that students who feel more connected to their college are more likely to be retained, persist from semester to semester, and complete their academic goals. Caring Campus’s work to increase connectedness aims to help ensure students achieve all that they can from their college experience.
Río Hondo College will host its second annual Invention Camp Río program for adults 18 years and older and high school students. In partnership with Lemelson-MIT, Río Hondo College faculty members in the disciplines of business, engineering and architecture will collaboratively lead the Invention Camp Río. Participants will learn the invention process, prototyping, how to generate a business plan and a pitch for a product that can later become patented. A makerspace lab will be available to help design their product. The Invention Camp Río program aims to help participants think creatively and learn to work independently and in teams to solve problems in the community.
Whittier High School senior Fabiola Ramirez stands as a testament to resilience, facing and conquering challenges that few encounter in a lifetime. From the moment she was born with severe hearing loss in both ears and labeled medically hard of hearing, Ramirez has defied stereotypes and refused to let her unique journey be defined by her hearing loss. Ramirez, a lifelong Whittier resident, has worn hearing aids since childhood, enduring the isolating experience of being the only student in her class with such devices. Amid instances of bullying, she transferred elementary schools twice. However, her journey took a positive turn when she enrolled at Katherine Edwards Middle School, where she began to find her stride. For her ability to overcome challenges and excel in her academic and personal pursuits, Ramirez was recognized with an Award of Merit by the Whittier Union Board of Trustees during a March 12 meeting.
