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'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.
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.
Río Hondo College’s campus transformed into a vibrant festival featuring exquisite flavors, captivating entertainment, stunning original art pieces, and a silent auction for the 11th edition of “A Taste of Río” on June 7. The Río Hondo College Foundation’s marquee annual fundraiser drew more than 350 attendees and raised approximately $105,000 for scholarships, programs, and equipment to support Río Hondo College students throughout their educational journey. It marked the first time in the history of the event – which was first launched in 2012 – that it drew more than 350 guests and raised more than $103,000 in consecutive years.
A Whittier Union Adult School (WUAS) program that streamlines the process for students looking to graduate into the local workforce has been recognized with the California Department of Education’s Promising Practice Award, further establishing the school as a valuable resource for residents looking for industry certifications that lead to lucrative careers. WAUS is one of two California adult schools to participate in the U.S Department of Education’s Integrated Education Training (IET) Advanced Design Camp program, which aims to align classroom instruction to better reflect the needs of local industry based on three specific criteria: literacy, workforce preparation, and workforce training. This is the second consecutive year that WAUS has received the Promising Practice Award from the CDE. In 2023, the school was cited for its program that merged English as a Second Language curriculum with career technical education.
A.B. Miller High School students wowed judges with their original artwork, as five students earned top honors, including two Best of Show awards, at the 2024 San Bernardino County Fair (SBCF)’s highly competitive Youth Arts Competition. Evalena Carbajal and April Garcia won Best of Show awards in the SBCF’s Youth Arts poetry and Día De Los Muertos divisions, respectively. The competition was open to all San Bernardino County residents. A.B. Miller students took first and second in both divisions and swept the top three places in poetry, with Jasmine Mojica and Bella Rojas taking second and third place in poetry, while Adriana Sánchez took second in the Día De Los Muertos division. All five works resulted from projects A.B. Miller students worked on throughout the school year in Spanish teacher Dr. Sybil Acevedo’s class. Each year, Dr. Acevedo collects and submits the pieces to the SBCF – covering the cost of submission herself.
Río Hondo College (RHC) 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, aiming to be a voice for her fellow RHC students and foster positive change on campus. Her primary focus is addressing psychological needs and improving accessibility for students.
Bonita Unified was recognized for the second year in a row as a San Gabriel Valley “Favorite School District” in the Southern California News Group 2024 Readers' Choice Awards, celebrating the District’s commitment to fostering students’ holistic growth through a high-quality education. Bonita Unified earned several state and national academic accolades in the 2023-24 school year, including a National Blue Ribbon School, a 2024 Model Continuation High School, and a 2024 California Distinguished School.
For the second consecutive year, El Monte Union High School District (EMUHSD) has been selected as a San Gabriel Valley Tribune Readers’ Choice Top Three 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.
