At Texas A&M University – Kingsville (TAMUK), establishing a caring and welcoming culture is a cornerstone of the student experience. As a Caring Campus, TAMUK continues to foster an environment where students feel valued, supported, and empowered to achieve their educational goals. One such student is Amberly Zaragoza, a graduate student in plant and soil science, whose journey at TAMUK exemplifies the impact of this caring culture. Zaragoza transferred to TAMUK as an undergraduate student, where she began pursuing a degree in animal science, after attending a community college for two years. A class on soils for her major first ignited her passion for plant and soil sciences, and she decided to pursue a master’s degree with the encouragement of her dean.
El Monte Union High School District (EMUHSD) celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month with a series of interactive assemblies and performances spotlighting Latino history and culture in engaging, educational formats designed to resonate with students and families, culminating in a “Soy Asombroso (I Am Awesome)” showcase at El Monte High School on Oct. 10. The District partnered with School Yard Rap, an innovative group that blends hip-hop with history lessons, for a final showcase during Hispanic Heritage Month, which ran from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. Additionally, students participated in festive assemblies celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month the week of Sept. 16.
Pioneer High School senior Jesus Barradas has a strong bond with his family, a loving connection that has enabled him to move forward confidently with his education and become a campus leader who personifies academic excellence, perseverance, and character. Barradas, who boasts a 4.25 GPA, has consistently challenged himself by taking a rigorous course load, including multiple Advanced Placement classes, dual enrollment courses at Río Hondo College, and three years in Pioneer High’s Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program, demonstrating a strong commitment to college readiness.
Following comprehensive environmental soil testing at the Lynwood High School Imperial Campus this fall, Lynwood Unified has received official clearance to proceed with the next phase of reconstruction, marking a significant milestone in the District's efforts to restore the campus and provide a safe and modern learning environment for all future Knights.
Río Hondo College (RHC) has taken a significant step in enhancing campus safety by appointing local leader and law enforcement veteran Todd Rogers as the first police chief of its newly established Campus Police and Safety Department, the newest police agency in Los Angeles County. The RHC Campus Police and Safety Department has operated under an interim police chief since its founding in July 2023. The Río Hondo Community College District (RHCCD) Board of Trustees formed the department as part of the college’s commitment to fostering a safe, secure and welcoming learning environment. Chief Rogers, whose hiring was approved at the board’s Aug. 14 meeting, will be officially sworn in at the board meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 9.
Over the last three decades, South El Monte High School (SEMHS) Athletic Director Sonia Ayala has been instrumental in shaping the school’s 17 competitive sports teams while also committing herself to the physical wellness of her students as a freshman physical education (PE) teacher. In recognition of her dedication to student success in her hybrid role at SEMHS, Ayala was named the District’s 2024-25 Teacher of the Year. She received the award at the Oct. 2 Board meeting and was also honored as a 2024 Educator of Distinction by 56th District Assemblymember Lisa Calderon.
When San Dimas High School students pass the gym on their way to class, they are greeted by a wall of fame highlighting some of the greatest athletes to ever wear a Saints uniform. Bookended by sibling stars Jocilyn and Jeremy Veal, who anchored the great San Dimas girls and boys basketball teams of the 1990s, the images seek to inspire and instill school pride.
At Pioneer High School (PHS), the images greet students and staff as they navigate the hallways on their way to class – portraits of Bob Marley and Emiliano Zapata, a mountainside paradise, an Aztec calendar, the penetrating eye from George Orwell’s “1984” – images that beautify the campus and provide a nurturing environment for learning. The artwork is the product of Pioneer High Class of 2012 graduate Domingo Perez, whose meticulous craftsmanship and collages have become a daily source of inspiration and Titan pride. Perez’s sublime portraits and artistic flourishes adorn nearly a dozen classroom doors at Pioneer, part of an ongoing project that began when Perez was still a PHS student painting his friend’s backpacks for fun.
The girls flag football teams at Bonita and San Dimas high schools will engage in a beloved District tradition as they face off for the first time during the inaugural season of CIF Southern Section flag football for the “Smudge Crown” rivalry game. With the undefeated Bonita squad setting its sights on a perfect record in its inaugural season, San Dimas will look to play spoiler. The game – rescheduled due to the Bridge Fire in September – will also feature an unusual, head-to-head family rivalry with a much-anticipated matchup between sisters Ashley and Breanna Sandmark, who will face off on opposite sides of the field for the very first time. Ashley and Breanna, both in their senior years and co-captains of their teams, attend San Dimas High and Bonita High, respectively.
