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.
Whittier Union High School District is gearing up for the 2024-25 school year with new leadership changes, recently announcing the hiring of two new principals for California High School and Whittier High School. The new administrators are Shana Jones, Cal High School principal, and Andres Favela, Whittier High School principal. Jones has served as Cal High’s assistant principal of curriculum and instruction for the last two years, after six years as assistant principal of guidance and counseling. Prior to that, Jones spent a decade as a biology teacher at La Serna High School. Favela brings nearly 25 years of experience as a teacher and administrator, including the last six years as principal of James A. Garfield High School in East Los Angeles.
San Dimas High School advanced art students spent months learning about themselves as individuals and as artists as they created artworks centered on historical figures for the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes (LMC) ninth annual ARTEFFECT art competition. Class of 2024 graduate Sophia Cabalfin and rising senior Vanessa Hoyt stood out among hundreds of submissions for their creations and were recognized on May 29 in front of classmates and family, as well as leaders from LMC Unsung Heroes and ARTEFFECT, who hosted the surprise visit over Zoom.
Río Hondo College’s (RHC) 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,” the Río Hondo College Foundation’s marquee annual fundraiser on June 7. More than 375 attendees enjoyed a selection of culinary delights, fine wines and craft beers during “A Taste of Río.” The event 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 “A Taste of Río,” which was first launched in 2012 to raise additional financial support for students, that the event has drawn more than 350 guests and raised more than $103,000 in consecutive years.
During its annual Scholarship Reception on June 13, the Lynwood Partners Educational Foundation (LPEF) awarded 102 graduating seniors with $101,000 in scholarships – an increase of $14,000 from last year – to support students' pursuit of higher education at trade schools, community colleges or four-year universities. This year’s scholarship recipients will attend prestigious universities and colleges such as Yale, Stanford, UCLA, UC San Diego, UC Irvine, Cal State Los Angeles, Cal State Fullerton and Long Beach City College.
Bonita Unified Appoints New Principals, Senior Director for 2024-25
Bonita Unified School District announced four new administrators who will step into new roles or join the District for the 2024-25 school year during the June 12 Board of Education meeting. Phil Heng will serve as Gladstone Elementary School’s principal in 2024-25 after serving as assistant principal at San Dimas High for three years; April Leon joins Roynon Elementary as its principal after five years in the role at Covina-Valley Unified School District; and Christine Wilson will serve as Shull Elementary’s principal following five years as a school administrator in Chino Valley Unified School District. Jessicka Mears comes to Bonita Unified as the new senior director of specialized services after serving as a special education administrator in Compton Unified School District.
Fontana Unified School District’s work to increase student attendance and reduce chronic absenteeism culminated in the District’s School Attendance Review Board (SARB) being recognized as one of California’s 23 model SARBs for 2024. FUSD posted a 94% attendance rate while dropping its chronic absenteeism rate from 30% to 20% for 2023-24. Throughout the year, the District hosts campaigns to help boost its attendance and also organizes its annual Perfect Attendance Spells Success event, which celebrates and rewards students for their exceptional attendance and academic achievements.
El Monte Union Teacher Honored for Excellence in Education
Sonia Ayala, a dedicated science teacher and athletic director at South El Monte High School, has been recognized by Assemblymember Lisa Calderon as one of the 56th District's 2024 Educators of Distinction. This prestigious award, presented in tandem with Teacher Appreciation Month, highlights Ayala's exceptional dedication for advancing excellence in education and her unwavering commitment to student success.
Pioneer High School junior Karen Marin is gearing up for a summer like no other after being accepted into UC Berkeley’s Pre-College Scholars Summer Residential program, where she will have the opportunity to learn from university professors and get a taste of campus life. The Berkeley Pre-College Scholars Summer Residential program offers high school students the opportunity to live on campus, earn college credit from two courses, and participate in extracurricular activities, local excursions, and exploratory workshops. The six-week course runs from July 1 to Aug. 9. Marin said she has been interested in studying law since her freshmen year at Pioneer High and has enrolled in two legal studies courses as part of the program.
