Cheers and celebration filled the air across Whittier Union High School District as more than 2,100 graduates from the Class of 2025 turned their tassels and stepped boldly into the future during spirited commencement ceremonies held June 2 through 4. Seniors from the District’s five comprehensive high schools, two alternative campuses, and adult school were joined by proud families, friends, and dedicated school staff, all united in honoring the resilience, growth, and accomplishments of Whittier Union’s newest alumni. Santa Fe, Sierra Vista, and Frontier high schools, along with Whittier Union Adult School, kicked off the three days of celebration during commencement ceremonies on June 2, followed by La Serna High School and Whittier High School on June 3. California and Pioneer high schools concluded the festivities with ceremonies on June 4.
More than 2,900 Fontana Unified School District’s (FUSD) Class of 2025 graduates celebrated a milestone to remember, capturing joyful moments, from walking across the stage to singing alma maters and celebrating under streams of confetti, on phones and handheld camcorders to relive for years to come. Fontana Unified held eight commencement ceremonies for its seven high schools and one adult school on May 22 at the Ontario Convention Center and May 27-28 at the Toyota Arena. This year’s graduating class includes multiple QuestBridge and Gates scholarship winners and more than 370 students who earned the California State Seal of Biliteracy after demonstrating a high level of proficiency in bilingualism and biliteracy. Fontana Unified’s Class of 2025 will embark on a range of post-graduation paths, including continuing their education at top universities such as UCLA, Barnard College, Boston University, UC Berkeley, Stanford University, and UC San Diego; joining the armed forces; or launching directly into the workforce. Many graduates are equipped to pursue high-wage, high-demand careers as a result of Fontana Unified’s 39 career technical education pathways.
In an age of rapid technological advances, as the risk of falling victim to a cyberattack continues to rise to unprecedented levels, San Dimas High School is training a new generation of cyber defenders and tech troubleshooters to become ethical hackers through its Information Technology (IT) and Cybersecurity class. The class, led by San Dimas High computer science teacher Leslie Leaming, is a hands-on learning experience where students rebuild and repair devices, design games, develop websites, and attempt to solve real-world cybersecurity challenges. The comprehensive course gives students an opportunity to explore lucrative careers in the IT and cybersecurity fields.
Four Fontana Unified School District representatives, including volunteers, a principal, and a teacher, have been honored for their dedication to student achievement, leadership, community service, and commitment to education in San Bernardino County. Fontana High School Principal Ofelia Hinojosa earned a Distinguished Service Award, a highly selective distinction, from the San Bernardino County School Boards Association (SBCSBA) and San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools (SBCSS). Established in 1998, the award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, unwavering dedication, and long-standing service to public education in San Bernardino County. A.B. Miller High dance teacher Nicole Robinson and Redwood Elementary community volunteers Jade Centeno and Maria Medina also received Education Medals of Honor during the SBCSBA and SBCSS awards ceremony.
Upland Unified School District has been recognized as “Favorite School District” in the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards, with four Upland Unified schools also voted as favorites, including Sierra Vista and Valencia elementary schools, Upland Junior High School, and Upland High School. The Inland Valley Readers’ Choice Awards celebrate excellence in education throughout the Inland Valley region and acknowledge institutions that have demonstrated exceptional academic programs, award-winning athletics, and a lasting impact on the lives of students. Votes were tallied from ballots that ran on the Daily Bulletin’s website throughout January and February.
El Monte Union High School District (EMUHSD) will host commencement ceremonies to honor more than 1,850 graduating students from the District’s five comprehensive high schools, alternative high school, adult school, and transition center. EMUHSD’s Class of 2025 graduates have earned acceptance to top colleges, universities, and military programs, including Yale, Georgetown, Johns Hopkins, Princeton, Stanford, UCLA, and the United States Navy. Students have also garnered a wide range of academic, athletic, and artistic honors, including prestigious scholarships such as QuestBridge and Edison, the California State Seal of Biliteracy, state recognitions, league championships, and historic achievements in the visual and performing arts. The District is also bidding farewell to its graduating Student Board Member, South El Monte High School senior Andrea Pablo.
As part of a growing movement to strengthen student connection and success, four additional Texas community colleges are adopting the Caring Campus framework – a student-centered approach designed to foster belonging and improve student outcomes. Hill College, Brazosport College, Clarendon College, and Texarkana College are joining Caring Campus thanks to a grant from the Trellis Foundation, marking a significant expansion across the state. Hill College President Dr. Thomas Mills said he was drawn to Caring Campus after first learning about it at a Talent Strong Texas Pathways meeting more than a year ago.
Bonita Unified high school students looking toward careers in the healthcare industry have received invaluable experience as interns, thanks to an exclusive partnership with the San Gabriel/Pomona Regional Center (SG/PRC), which provided the students access to college-level no-cost training in the psychology, nursing, and social work fields Six Bonita Unified students took advantage of the career technical education (CTE) learning opportunity, which concluded in mid-May. The inaugural SG/PRC interns are: San Dimas High seniors Jazmine Cardenas (social work) and Marlie Walker (social work), San Dimas High junior Kamryn Henderson (psychology), and Bonita High juniors Morgan Salcido (psychology), Ranin Sour (nursing), and Katherine Situ (nursing).
Whittier Union High School District seniors are preparing to take their next steps this fall, heading to colleges and universities across the country, with many leaving lasting legacies through academic achievement, leadership, and national recognition. Across Whittier Union, students are earning prestigious scholarships and acceptances to top-tier universities. Pioneer High School’s Olivia Jimenez was awarded the $50,000 Edison Scholarship and will attend Harvard University this fall. California High School’s Jonas Sanchez is heading to West Point, La Serna High School’s Aidan Reyes will attend Princeton University, and Whittier High School’s Edward Navarro will join Stanford University.
El Monte Union High School District’s Class of 2025 features several distinguished seniors who have excelled in academics, leadership, and service, exemplifying the District’s mission to empower resilient learners prepared to thrive in college, careers, and beyond.
Through career technical education pathways and college readiness programs such as Advancement Via Individual Determination, Early College Academy, Advanced Placement courses and dual enrollment, El Monte Union students are introduced to fields in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM), gaining access to industry-relevant training, hands-on learning, and the tools they need to succeed in post-secondary education and beyond.
