Paramount High School students are learning how to start businesses, build websites, prepare for job interviews and other vital life skills through the school’s Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) club. The after-school club meets weekly. Members of Paramount’s FCCLA attended the annual National Leadership Conference in summer in Atlanta, where students from across the country competed in 30 events.
Jefferson Middle School students captured first, third and fourth-place trophies at the second Southern California Junior Forensic League tournament of the year, held Nov. 30 at Walter Reed Middle School. Daphne Nea took first place in Dramatic Interpretation, while Garrison Chan and Joseph Pheng won third in Original Duo and Mollee Angley placed fourth in Speeches to Entertain.
Mayflower Elementary welcomed fathers, grandfathers, step-fathers, uncles and other father-figures on Nov. 28 to launch the Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students) program, which encourages volunteers to spend at least a day at the school and take part in activities throughout the year. Watch D.O.G.S. work with students on assignments, participate in recess or lunch activities, watch school entrances and hallways, assist with traffic before and after school, and take part in other activities that allow them to engage with students.
Baldwin Park High School sophomore Gabriel Olvera earned the Brian Velez Memorial Award-Volunteer of the Year for dedicating his time over the past year to repair bicycles at Bike San Gabriel Valley (SGV) – an organization that promotes a bicycle- and transit-friendly environment. Olvera, an avid cyclist, has spent his weekends fixing bikes and teaching others about the hobby at the Bike SGV Education Center, located at the Jeff Seymour Family Center. The award is named for Brian Velez, a volunteer who became Bike SGV’s outreach coordinator.
Four Bonita Unified seniors earned perfect scores of 800 on the math and English language arts (ELA) sections of the SAT. Students include Bonita High School senior Celina Bernal and San Dimas High School seniors Daniel Farag, Aidan Ferguson and Aidan Phipps. The SAT is used in the admissions process at many colleges and universities.
South El Monte High School senior Daniel Torres will represent El Monte Union High School District at the 130th Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year's Day after winning a coveted spot in the Pasadena City College Honor Band, which has marched in every parade since 1930. After a rigorous audition process that included hundreds of high school musicians from throughout Southern California, the Honor Band chose Torres, a four-year member of the Mighty Eagles Marching Band, to perform in the New Year’s Day parade. Torres is joining nearly 250 musicians who will represent their schools and showcase their talents in the parade.
Whittier High School baritone player Jacob Cortes will perform for the second year in a row in the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade Honor Band on New Year’s Day. He is one of 11 Whittier Union students to win a coveted spot in the nearly 250-member Honor Band, which involved a rigorous audition process that included hundreds of high school musicians from throughout Southern California. Joining him are seven band and four color guard members. From Santa Fe High School, they are Korey Allen (clarinet) and Dominick Bonelli (trumpet). From California High School, they are Kaelee Chavez (clarinet), Seth Diaz (tenor sax), Mark Gonzalez (trombone), Roberto Haro (trumpet), Isabella Bocanegra (banner), Lauren Hernandez (tall flag and also a second-year ToR performer), Erika Leal (banner) and Chole Martin (banner).
San Gabriel Fire Department will visit McKinley Elementary School with Santa Claus in tow to collect donations for the Spark of Love toy drive at 9 a.m. Friday, Dec. 21. The annual toy drive has collected millions of toys for children in need across Southern California over the last 26 years. McKinley Elementary is at 1425 Manley Drive, San Gabriel.
El Monte City School District’s Gidley School hosted its longstanding annual Winter Sing event on Dec. 19, showcasing the musical talents of nearly 200 of the school’s TK-6 and special education students as they sang a selection of seasonal tunes such as “I Want to Be an Elf,” “Up on the Housetop” and “Let it Snow.”
Lynwood Unified will provide every preschool student with a free book for winter break at each school on Friday, Dec. 14. This is the third year the District will hold the giveaway. Books are collected at fairs throughout the year and feature a wide range of subjects, including Marvel and Whisker Haven books.