The Covina-Valley Unified School District Board of Education unanimously approved the appointment of Dr. Jonathan Blackmore as Superintendent at a special Board meeting on March 19. Blackmore, who has served as Interim Superintendent since July 7, 2025, will continue leading the District with a strong dedication to students, families, and the Covina-Valley Unified community. Blackmore said his commitment to clear and transparent communication, collaboration, and student success will serve as cornerstones of his leadership.
Victor Valley College (VVC) President Dr. Dan Walden credits Caring Campus and the Caring Campus Academy (CCA) with helping transform the college’s culture and fueling its emergence as the fastest growing college in California. The CCA offers tailored sessions for higher education staff, faculty, and administrators to learn about the Caring Campus behaviors designed to strengthen student belonging and success, whether for new hires first learning about Caring Campus or seasoned professionals seeking fresh ideas and strategies.
Upland High School’s (UHS) dedication to expanding opportunity and supporting student success has earned the campus recognition as a 2026 California Distinguished School, a prestigious honor achieved through implementing programs and initiatives that help close the achievement gap for historically underserved student groups. The recognition reflects UHS’ commitment to creating opportunities for all students through strong academic programs, targeted student support, and a culture that emphasizes high expectations and meaningful connections.
The Bonita Unified ProStart Culinary program made history once again when the San Dimas High School culinary team was crowned the California ProStart Cup champion for the second consecutive year, giving the student chefs an opportunity to defend their title at the National ProStart Invitational, to be held in Baltimore in April. San Dimas High School is the first back-to-back California ProStart Cup champion since 2010-11. Following closely behind in second place was 2024 California ProStart Cup champion Bonita High School, giving the District its first-ever one-two placement at the Cup, adding another successful chapter in the District’s storied history in the competition. For the third consecutive year, Bonita Unified will represent California in one of the country’s most popular and challenging amateur culinary competitions.
The Edison Scholars program annually awards 30 high school seniors with scholarships supporting studies in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Students selected for this prestigious scholarship demonstrate academic excellence, leadership and a commitment to using STEM to create meaningful impact in their communities.
Prior to entering school as a freshman, Santa Fe High School senior Itzel Iniguez, looking for better educational opportunities, made the decision to commute from her home in South Gate to Santa Fe Springs. Iniguez took advantage of everything Santa Fe had to offer, rapidly developing into a scholar-athlete, campus leader, and role model. Iniguez, who boasts a 4.38 GPA, has won numerous awards at Santa Fe, including the Principal’s Honor Roll for seven consecutive semesters, Student of the Year as a junior, the Coaches Award and Chieftain Cheer Award for her leadership and spirit, and the Service Learning Award for completing more than 50 hours of community service.
Fontana High School students are preparing to become the next generation of health care professionals through the school’s Nursing Assistant Program, with students in the 2025-26 school year earning a notable 99 percent pass rate on the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) state exam. This pass rate positions Fontana High graduates for success beyond high school, preparing them to pursue their education in prestigious nursing programs or enter the workforce immediately as certified nursing assistants.
Covina-Valley Unified is helping transform wrestling into a more mainstream sport, with strong programs at every middle and high school. This commitment is exemplified by longtime powerhouse Northview High School, an up-and-coming program at Covina High School, and South Hills High School, where the wrestling program has undergone significant growth in recent years. Starting with just one female wrestler during the 2024-25 season, the South Hills program has grown to include 35 girls on the roster. This year, the South Hills boys wrestling team placed second in the CIF Southern Section Coastal Division, and the girls team placed third, both achieving the teams’ goals of finishing in the top five.
Cesar Chavez Middle School students celebrated the 150th anniversary of the first telephone call by receiving 150 free refurbished laptops through a partnership between Lynwood Unified, LevelUp, Think Together and AT&T on March 3. The laptops were provided to students participating in the LevelUp expanded learning program in partnership with Think Together, helping ensure they have the technology needed to continue learning at home. Cesar Chavez eighth-grader Joseph Rodriguez said participating in Think Together has helped him improve academically while building important social and communication skills.
Tracy Hofmann, a third-grade teacher at Virginia Primrose Elementary School, has been named Fontana Unified School District’s 2025-26 Teacher of the Year, marking the second time in her career she has earned this distinction. The recognition highlights her nearly three decades of commitment to helping students grow in confidence, character, and academic skills. Hofmann has taught at Virginia Primrose for 29 years, creating a classroom environment where students feel safe, valued, and intellectually curious. By establishing positive connections, Hofmann ensures each student is comfortable taking risks, sharing ideas, learning from mistakes, and supporting one another.
