Rio Hondo School students are studying cancer cells, identifying DNA base pairs and exploring pathology lab equipment thanks to a new partnership with the City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center in Duarte. The partnership provides Rio Hondo students in sixth, seventh and eighth grades a medical pathway that mixes science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) learning with real-world experience.
Dr. Erika Torres, County Administrator of Inglewood Unified School District, is pleased to announce the availability for long-term lease of part or all of 22.6 acres surplused by the School District in the City of Inglewood. This major development site, surplus to the District’s educational needs, is situated on West 104th Street between South Prairie Avenue and Crenshaw Blvd. The site is located two blocks from the Hollywood Park Entertainment District and the new LA/SoFi Stadium due to open later this year. The Inglewood Unified School District has released a Request for Developer Qualifications to partner with a developer to jointly develop this site.
Firebaugh High School senior Cheyanne Roberts moved a step closer to her dream career in dentistry when she was offered a $92,000 scholarship to Benedict College during the Historically Black College and Universities (HBCU) Caravan Tour Jan. 31. Roberts was one of nearly 400 Lynwood Unified Students who filled the gymnasiums at Lynwood and Firebaugh high schools to meet with HBCU recruiters, who presented them with on-the-spot acceptance and, for some, full-ride scholarships.
The first week of February is off to special start for Humberto Solorio, who has spent the last 18 years helping students at California High School reach their potential, explore their abilities, strengths and interests, and develop into tomorrow’s leaders. Not only is Solorio, along with counselors across Whittier Union and the nation, being recognized for National School Counseling Week, but he will also attend the 2020 State of the Union Address in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, Feb. 4 as an invited guest of Congresswoman Linda Sanchez.
El Monte City School District students created dragons and lanterns from colorful paper mâché, stuffed their written wishes into red envelopes and learned about Chinese legends and traditions during a Jan. 23 Lunar New Year celebration. Some 200 students and their families attended the event at the Jeff Seymour Family Center, which featured arts and crafts, a family photo booth, opportunity drawings, a special Lunar New Year read along and a student performance of a traditional ribbon dance.
Fontana Unified School District announced the promotion of Lee J. Powell to Fontana School Police Department chief. Powell has served as a lieutenant in the school police department since 2017 and has 33 years of experience in law enforcement. Powell succeeds Martin Sissac, who retired as chief in November 2019 after four years in the post.
Edgewood High School senior Yuriko Chavez’s poetic perspective on social justice won her the 2019-20 Romero Scholarship for Excellence in Spoken Word. Chavez’s poem submission “Mission First, Mission Always” was ranked No. 1 on four out of the five judges’ score cards. The scholarship is funded by David A. Romero, a Mexican-American spoken word artist, and is given to one high school senior in the United States each year. The $500 prize will help fund Chavez’s pursuit of a journalism and ethnic studies degree at either Occidental College or UC Irvine.
West Covina Unified will establish the next premier performing arts academy in Southern California, empowering students to delve into their creative potential, gain insight from industry professionals and prepare for a future in the arts. The West Covina High School Performing Arts Academy will welcome its first freshman cohort – capped at 50 students – in fall 2020, providing an exclusive fine arts education in a free, public school setting. Incoming freshmen from Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside and Orange counties are eligible to apply to the WCHS Performing Arts Academy. The District is now accepting applications; students can begin the application process online.
Raymond Collins Elementary School’s beloved student garden, which has provided healthy greens and educational opportunities for almost a decade, will receive much-needed renovations and new garden beds thanks to donations worth more than $5,000 from members of the Paramount Chamber of Commerce. The garden supplies the school with greens, herbs, fruits and vegetables while introducing students to agriculture and the concept of locally sourced food.
La Serna High School senior Jocelyn Jimenez is a born leader with extraordinary academic achievements under her belt, a passion for knowledge and determination to succeed – skills that will help her fulfill her dream of being a lawyer. Whether she is volunteering as an Explorer for the Whittier Police Department or interning with Congresswoman Linda Sanchez, Jimenez is dedicated to empowering people and communities through service work and education. Jimenez – who is pursuing an associate degree at Rio Hondo College – was recently awarded a full-ride scholarship to Claremont McKenna College.
