Hacienda La Puente Summer Program Students Explore New Horizons
The summer months in Hacienda La Puente Unified saw students flourishing in comprehensive academic and enrichment opportunities that supported their needs and interests, from Speech and Debate – offered for the first time to high school students – and the Youth Cinema Project summer programs to annual sports and C-STEM robotics summer camps. More than 150 middle and high school students performed for their families, peers, and HLPUSD employees during the summer camp showcase on July 18 at Orange Grove Middle School.
As Covina-Valley Unified students commemorated their academic achievements in five graduation ceremonies at the beginning of June, Board of Education President Dr. Maria Cruz celebrated a significant milestone of her own – earning her Doctorate of Social Work from Loma Linda University. Dr. Cruz used her accomplishments and story to highlight the need for a more equitable educational landscape and an increased representation of Latinas pursuing doctoral degrees.
The El Monte Union High School District will celebrate the grand opening and dedication of Rosemead High School’s Vikki Carr Performing Arts Center at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, July 31. The performing arts center is part of the school’s Modernization Project and will include a new exterior plaza, auditorium access, doors, landscaping, exterior paint, a remodeled lobby, restroom upgrades, interior finishes, and improved audio. Carr, a 1958 alumna of RHS, has enjoyed a prolific six decades in music. With top hits in English and Spanish, Carr has won four Grammy Awards and released more than 60 best-selling recordings; she will be in attendance for the dedication.
A piece of Río Hondo College’s (RHC) campus will forever pay tribute to the legacy of Congresswoman Grace Napolitano long after she retires from public service later this year. The Río Hondo College Board of Trustees unanimously approved renaming the College’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) Quad to the Grace F. Napolitano Quad at its July 10 meeting. The dedication honors Congresswoman Napolitano’s extensive contributions and advocacy for RHC, particularly its CTE programs over her 24-plus years in Congress. Napolitano delivered the keynote speech at RHC’s 2022 commencement and helped secure more than $2 million in federal funding to benefit RHC programs throughout her career in Congress. She was first elected to Congress in 1998 and served 13 terms in the House.
Students enrolled in Lynwood Unified School District’s computer science, engineering and health science pathways will soon benefit from an enriched curriculum, advanced learning resources and expanded internship opportunities. These enhancements are made possible thanks to a $2.2 million Golden State Pathways Program Implementation Grant. The grant aims to elevate educational experiences and career readiness for Lynwood students, and will support the District’s dynamic, hands-on career technical education pathway programs that explore science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields.
Imperial Valley College, located in Imperial, CA, is reinforcing its commitment to improving student retention, persistence, and success by participating in a Caring Campus Refresh, re-engaging its staff in the principles necessary to create a supportive and caring educational environment. Across the nation, numerous institutions have undertaken a Caring Campus Refresh to reinforce their commitment to student success. The Refresh sessions offer a more condensed and targeted approach compared to the traditional curriculum, while still following a similar format.
Río Hondo College Welcomes New Student Trustee for 2024-25
Río Hondo College student Hesma Valdes took an oath of office to officially begin her tenure as the student trustee for the 2024-25 academic year during the College’s Board of Trustees meeting on June 12. Valdes said she is motivated by a passion for advocacy for students' basic needs and wellness and has been deeply involved in campus life since she enrolled at the College as a 2023-24 freshman.
Río Hondo College Awarded Prestigious Nursing Education Grant
Río Hondo College's innovative approach to nursing education has garnered it a prestigious spot as one of only four institutions statewide to receive the 2024 Nursing Education Investment Grant from the Foundation for California Community Colleges (FoundationCCC) on June 24. RHC will receive a share of FoundationCCC’s 2024 Nursing Education Investment Grant, which totals $450,000. The College will use the funds to partner with UbiSim, a virtual reality (VR) platform for nursing simulation, to equip its lab with immersive VR technology to enhance the clinical experience for its students.
El Monte Union Earns Top Honor for Academic Excellence
For the second consecutive year, El Monte Union High School District has been selected as a San Gabriel Valley Tribune Readers’ Choice School District, reflecting the District’s unwavering commitment to academic success in the classroom and providing healthier outcomes for the communities it serves. El Monte Union, which was also cited in the Tribune’s 2023 Readers’ Choice poll, has experienced another banner year, as it works toward maintaining positive school culture and academic rigor for its students by providing career technical education pathways and innovative technology, as well as social and emotional support through its wellness centers.
Two Bonita Unified ProStart culinary students demonstrated their prowess in the kitchen, whipping up gastronomic delights for attendees of the California Restaurant Foundation’s annual Culinary Clash fundraiser and walking away with top prizes during the event, which raised more than $90,000 for culinary arts programs in California public high schools. Bonita High School rising senior Charli Padilla won the Golden Plate Award for best presentation and San Dimas High School Class of 2024 graduate Kiana Conway won the Culinary Perfect Puree Champ Award for best use of a sponsor product. This is the second consecutive year that Bonita Unified ProStart students have taken home top awards at the Culinary Clash, held this year on June 7 at the Coca-Cola headquarters in Irvine.
