State Grant to Bolster El Monte Union Student College Savings Accounts
The El Monte Promise Foundation has won a $448,000 Every Kid Counts state grant that will enable the nonprofit to expand its college savings program for K-12 students, including those enrolled in El Monte Union High School District schools. The California Student Aid Commission awarded $2.9 million in grants to nine nonprofit organizations and agencies across the state that sponsor or administer programs that incentivize families with children to open and maintain college savings accounts. The El Monte Promise Foundation, a partner of El Monte Union, launched its savings program in 2015 to help cultivate a college-going culture in El Monte.
Bassett Unified Students Receive Anti-bullying Tips from Major Leaguer
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Rich Hill and X-Games gold medalist Jordyn Barrat helped Edgewood Academy students stand up against bullying during a “Shred Hate” assembly on May 8 celebrating the school’s “No Bully” initiative.
Whittier Union Director Honored with HOT Positive Image Award
Pioneer High School Horizons Director Victoria Cuevas has received a Positive Image Award from the Hispanic Outreach Taskforce (HOT) for providing Whittier Union students with academic and social-emotional support to succeed in their classes, graduate from high school and compete in college and careers. Cuevas was one of eight community leaders to be honored at the Positive Image Awards fundraiser on April 28. The annual event recognizes the exceptional contributions of individuals who enhance the quality of life within the Hispanic community.
Felicia Tang, a junior at San Gabriel Unified’s Gabrielino High School, captured the state championship in Expository Speaking at the California High School Speech Association state tournament, held May 3 to 5. Tang is Gabrielino’s 20th individual state champion in the speech and debate program’s 25-year history.
Fontana Unified Family STEM Showcase Highlights Innovative Curriculum
Programming drones and getting behind the wheel of a forklift simulator, Fontana Unified parents and students explored new aspects of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) during the District’s inaugural Family STEM Showcase, held May 4 at Citrus High School. Among the new technology available for students in the fall are Microsoft’s HoloLens augmented reality headsets, HTC Vive virtual reality headsets, heavy equipment simulators, an inflatable planetarium and a Makerspace collaborative work lab.
Whittier Union Student Wins $20,000 Scholarship from Local Chamber
Santa Fe High School senior Miranda Diaz-Infante will pursue her dream of finding cures for cancer and other diseases at UCLA with the help of a $20,000 Destiny Scholarship awarded annually by the City of Santa Fe Springs Chamber of Commerce. Diaz-Infante – recognized as an exceptional graduating senior by the chamber – has a 4.5 GPA and is co-captain of the color guard team. She advocates for civic engagement and raises awareness of the costs of human trafficking.
El Monte Union Student Wins 32nd Congressional District Art Competition
For the next year, Mountain View High School student Nancy Hoang’s artwork will hang in the U.S. Capitol Building after she won first place in the 2019 art competition for the 32nd Congressional District, represented by U.S. Rep. Grace F. Napolitano. Napolitano’s office received 76 art pieces from 13 high schools across the San Gabriel Valley. Hoang won first place with her colored pencil drawing, “Orange Fish.”
San Gabriel Unified to Hold Graduations June 4 and 6
San Gabriel Unified School District will celebrate Gabrielino High School’s commencement at 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 4 at the Santa Anita Park, 285 Huntington Drive, Arcadia. Del Mar Continuation High School’s commencement will follow at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 6 at Gabrielino High School, 1327 S. San Gabriel Drive, San Gabriel.
Whittier Union to Honor Nearly 2,800 Members of the Class of 2019
Close to 2,800 students from Whittier Union High School District’s five comprehensive high schools, two alternative high schools, adult school and transition program will conclude their high school careers with commencement ceremonies June 3-5. The Whittier Adult School, Frontier and Sierra Vista high school will hold a joint ceremony at 6 p.m. Monday, June 3 in the Vic Lopez Auditorium, and the Transition program will hold its ceremony at 7 p.m. at the Harmony Center. On Tuesday, June 4, California High School will hold its ceremony at 5:30 p.m. at Thorstenson Stadium and Santa Fe High School will hold its ceremony at 6 p.m. at Torres Stadium. On Wednesday, June 5, Whittier High School will hold its ceremony at 4 p.m. at Torres Stadium; La Serna High School will hold its event at 5 p.m. at Thorstenson Stadium; and Pioneer High School will celebrate students at 7 p.m. at Torres Stadium.
El Monte Union to Celebrate Class of 2019
El Monte Union will celebrate its Class of 2019 with graduations on Thursday, June 6: Fernando R. Ledesma High at 5 p.m. at the high school; South El Monte High School at 6 p.m. at Eagle Stadium; Arroyo High School at 7 p.m. at Bergstrom Stadium; El Monte High School at 7 p.m. at Lion Field; Mountain View High School at 7 p.m. at Viking Stadium; and Rosemead High School at 7 p.m. at Panther Field. El Monte-Rosemead Adult School celebrated high school diploma recipients on May 29.
