California state Assembly Majority Leader Ian Calderon congratulated graduates at Rio Hondo College’s 55th annual Commencement Ceremony on May 24 and urged them to “make a difference.” The ceremony recognized 1,399 students who earned an estimated 2,001 academic degrees, including 653 degrees for transfer, which guarantee admission to the California State University system. Both figures top the College’s numbers for 2016-17. Also honored were three outstanding students who overcame challenges en route to earning their degrees – Brenda Coronel, Yarisma Rocha and Jason Hoang. All three have been accepted to UC Berkeley.
Five Fontana Unified High School graduates who have juggled personal challenges with academic excellence were named 2018 Dell Scholars, earning a collective $100,000 in scholarships for higher education costs. Kaiser High School’s Syeda Arif will attend UC Berkeley to study nutrition and public health; Fontana High School’s Victor Iribe will major in mechanical engineering at Cal State L.A.; Summit High School’s Mary Ambriz will study political science and women’s studies at Occidental College; Summit’s Melissa Cruz will attend UC Irvine to study biological sciences; and Summit’s Maria Medina will major in political science at UC Berkeley.
Bassett High senior Huong Nguyen celebrated with her peers at the Kaiser Permanente Health Academy’s Recognition Ceremony, where she was awarded a $1,000 scholarship. Nguyen was one of more than 30 students recognized for completing the three-year program.
La Serna High School English and Puente Program teacher Shelly DeSimone dreamed of a career in education as early as second grade, when a teacher asked her to help a struggling English learner. For DeSimone’s efforts in preparing La Serna English learners for college, she was named Whittier Union High School District’s 2017-18 Teacher of the Year. Over her 34-year career, DeSimone has helped hundreds of students to speak, read and write English, guided La Serna’s Puente Program since its inception and established herself as an author of teen fiction written for English learners.
Baldwin Park Unified Senior Wins 32nd Congressional District Art Contest
Rafael Mondragon, a senior at Baldwin Park Unified’s Sierra Vista High School, won first place in U.S. Rep. Grace Napolitano’s 32nd Congressional District Art Competition. Mondragon submitted a photo titled "Awaiting a Home," taken at La Plaza at Olvera Street in Los Angeles. He received a free trip to Washington, D.C., where his artwork will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for a year.
Five Lynwood Unified high schoolers have been recognized for outstanding artwork, highlighting the strengths of the District’s visual and performing arts program. Lynwood High School senior Evelyn Granados earned the top prize in the 44th District Congressional Art Competition for her work, “Love is Love.” Honorable mentions for the contest went to Lynwood High seniors Emily Medrano, Miguel Sanchez and Malaysia West. Katherine Espinoza, a visual art student from Vista High School, was awarded an Otis College of Art and Design scholarship to attend the college’s Summer of Art program.
Nearly 1,000 Paramount High School seniors accepted their diplomas during an evening ceremony on June 7. The celebration featured speeches by salutatorian Armando Alexis Torres, valedictorian Fernanda Corona and Superintendent Dr. Ruth Pérez. The school’s band and choir performed during the ceremony, held in Paramount’s 6,000-seat stadium.
Roosevelt Elementary Students to Learn Future Possibilities at Career Day
Local leaders and professionals will give Roosevelt Elementary School students a glimpse into potential career paths during the annual Career Day at 9 a.m. Thursday, May 31 on campus, 10835 Mallison Ave., Lynwood. Roosevelt students will hear from professionals in the medical field, as well as public servicemen and women while taking part in demonstrations that simulate careers.
Baldwin Park Unified High Schools Celebrate Memorable Commencements
More than 950 seniors from Baldwin Park Unified’s two comprehensive high schools and one continuation school celebrated their commencements on May 30 and 31 in memorable ceremonies. North Park Continuation High School on May 30 graduated 135 seniors, celebrating a 98 percent graduation rate that is one of the best in the state. Sierra Vista High School commemorated 429 graduates and Baldwin Park High School honored 400 on May 31.
Monrovia Unified Showcase to Highlight Student Art
Students at Monrovia Unified’s Monroe Elementary School will showcase artwork they created during the Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s eight-week enrichment program, After School at the Museum, from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 30. The art show will highlight Monrovia Unified’s commitment to arts education. The school is at 303 W. Colorado Blvd., 91016.
