Chief Tracy E. Rickman, who has helped lead and expand Rio Hondo College’s nationally respected firefighter training academies as well as launch a cadet crew that annually battles California wildfires, will retire Dec. 11. Rickman joined Rio Hondo College 22 years ago and today serves as fire technology coordinator for the Rio Hondo College Fire Academy, the Rio Hondo College Wildland Fire Academy and EMT program.
Río Hondo College’s Office of Online Education has received a $477,000 grant as part of the California Virtual Campus Online Education Initiative to add or update 16 industry-valued online certificate programs in fields ranging from Wildland Fire Technology to Web Design. College officials anticipate the programs will be open to students in fall 2020.
Freshmen from West Covina Unified’s Mt. SAC Early College Academy will present weeks of research during the school’s second annual Environmental Solutions Fair, highlighting the effects of plastic pollution on Steller sea lion, elephant poaching, ghost net fishing, pollinator decline, cyanide fishing, the endangerment of sea turtles and more. Students built presentations consisting of a series of cross-curricular assignments, including research papers, art projects created with recycled materials and public service announcements.
The Credit Union of Southern California, a longtime supporter of La Serna High School’s award-winning and life-changing intervention program, OASIS, has launched a $50,000 endowment to ensure students in the program find enduring success after graduation. CEO Dave Gunderson and Executive Vice President Eric Day have provided thousands of dollars in scholarships over the years to students in La Serna’s Organized Academic Support in School (OASIS) program, which motivates students who are underperforming to earn higher GPAs and graduate high school. They will regularly contribute to the endowment, with the funds going toward scholarships as well as other methods of support to ensure OASIS students have the support necessary for successful futures.
Brandon Lam, a senior at West Covina Unified’s Edgewood High School, received an Honorable Mention from the National Merit Scholarship program for achieving stellar scores on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). Of the 1.6 million students who took the exam, Lam was one of 50,000 to be recognized. Lam, who holds a weighted 4.6 GPA, explores his love of the arts through Edgewood’s International Baccalaureate dance program and is an avid volunteer in campus clubs.
Paramount Unified Provides Students with Free Eyeglasses
Alondra Middle School students received free eyeglasses on Oct. 25 through the District’s partnership with Vision To Learn, a nonprofit dedicated to eliminating vision issues as a barrier to education. Students went through free screenings in the fall before receiving the glasses. VTL specialists joined staff members to distribute the glasses.
Monrovia’s Bradoaks Elementary Students Incorporate Science into Halloween
Students from Bradoaks Elementary School put science to the test as Monrovia firefighters, perched atop their fire engine ladder, dropped pumpkins – some carved, some not – to determine which can generate the largest splat. Each grade level solved questions such as ‘what will happen to two different pumpkins when dropped from two different heights?’ and ‘will a hollow pumpkin or a pumpkin full of seeds create a larger splat when dropped from a ladder?’ Students integrated the theme of pumpkins into their science and reading lessons all month, and the pumpkin drop served as the culminating activity.
Lynwood Celebrates Success with Community at State of District Event
Lynwood Unified’s superintendent and Board of Education joined students and community members during the State of the District Event on Oct. 25. Students and staff presented, celebrating achievements of the District and discussing Lynwood Unified’s vision for the future.
Lynwood High Student’s Artwork Featured in Calendar
Lynwood High School student Wendy Cuevas was selected to be a featured artist in the Occupational Therapy Training Program 2020 Calendar. Cuevas produced a rock painting that took two months to create.
Inglewood Unified Scholar Selected as Stellar Student of Month
City Honors International Prep High School senior Lydia Mabamije has been selected as November’s Inglewood Unified School District Stellar Student. Mabamije has earned a 4.0 GPA, founded a French club at her school and leads the woodwind section of the Inglewood High School band. Each month, IUSD staff nominate an exceptional student who is thriving in the classroom and beyond.
