El Monte High School hosted its second annual Alumni Staff Track Meet on March 22, with dozens of alumni and staff challenging the current track and field team, highlighting their athleticism while fostering deeper connections on campus. Participants received commemorative T-shirts and earned medals for their hard work. Alumni and staff took home the trophy for a second year in a row.
Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez presented Río Hondo College with a check for nearly $1 million in federal funding to upgrade its Police Academy Regional Training Center during an April 26 ceremony. The funding, which was secured by Sánchez in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024, will be used to install new scenario-based learning environments and virtual reality technology, which will place cadets in emotionally charged, simulated settings that reflect real law enforcement incidents, allowing them to safely learn from mistakes and improve their performance and responses.
Lynwood Unified School District middle school girls engaged in an afternoon of leadership activities designed to embrace girl power, ignite positive change across communities, and amplify the student voice during the second annual Girl Empowerment Conference on March 28. During the event, Hosler and Cesar Chavez middle schoolers heard inspiring words from accomplished women and participated in interactive sessions to process and discuss important topics in a safe space.
Los Angeles Pierce College is strengthening its culture of belonging for both students and staff by successfully implementing Caring Campus, a program that teaches principles, tactics, and habits to create a more welcoming, connected environment, thereby improving student retention and success. Data from the Institute for Evidence-Based Change shows that students who feel more connected to their college are more likely to be retained, persist from semester to semester, and complete their academic goals. Caring Campus’ work to increase connectedness aims to help ensure students achieve all that they can from their college experience.
Los Altos High School junior Angela Shih and senior Amber Juarez are celebrating their recent accomplishments as winners of the Riverside Youth Art Month Competition. Shih and Juarez were recognized for their distinctive drawings, with Shih capturing a first-place award and Juarez receiving second place. The awards reflect the excellent work coming out of Los Altos’ visual arts program, led by teacher Bertha Oseguera. The winning art is now on display at the Riverside Art Museum.
Bonita High School’s Concert Choir and Chamber Singers were emotional as they sang through their pieces during the final dress rehearsal for the San Diego Heritage Festival – reflecting on the past nine years in the District’s choral program, and the significance of sharing one last formal show together. For many of the students, their journey in Bonita Unified’s choral program started in elementary school, allowing them to forge lasting bonds as they grew through song and as individuals. The Bearcats took their poise and energy to the stage on March 22 and swept the competition with eight accolades, including Gold Ratings for both Chamber Singers and Concert Choir, Maestro Awards for two standout individual performers, first place in their division, the Adjudicator Award, Outstanding Choral Group and the Sweepstake for Choral Program award for becoming the top-scoring choir at the competition.
Lynwood Unified student mathematicians attempted to crunch all the right numbers as they competed against each other during the District’s annual “Mathathon,” held on March 6, which brought third-, fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grade students across the District’s 12 elementary schools together for a cherished Lynwood Unified tradition that unites families, ignites school pride, and nurtures a passion for math. The young achievers put their wits to the test in head-to-head competitions of mathematical prowess amid an enthusiastic gathering of families, cheering staff and lively mascots.
Fontana High School’s highly acclaimed Fire Technology and Law Enforcement Public Service pathways were each certified as National Programs of Excellence by the Law and Public Safety Education Network (LAPSEN), representing the commitment to excellence and quality of both programs. Both of FOHI’s career technical education Public Service pathways join a prestigious cohort of secondary and post-secondary schools across the country to receive the honor. The LAPSEN recognition signifies a program has reached the apex in terms of preparing students for careers in law enforcement, firefighting, emergency management, legal studies, and related fields.
Río Hondo College, in partnership with Lemelson-MIT, will host its second annual Invention Camp Río program from Monday, July 15 to Friday, July 26. Led by Río Hondo College business, engineering, and architecture faculty members, Invention Camp Río strives to help participants think creatively and work independently to solve problems in the community. Participants will learn about the invention process, how to generate a business plan and how to pitch a product that can later become patented. Applications for the camp are due by May 24. Río Hondo College is located at 3600 Workman Mill Rd., Whittier.
Río Hondo College will host its marquee annual fundraiser, “A Taste of Río,” on Friday, June 7. The event runs from 6 to 9 p.m., with a VIP preview at 5 p.m., and features culinary delights, fine wine and craft beer, captivating entertainment, and a silent auction. Hosted by the Río Hondo College Foundation, “A Taste of Río” raises funds for scholarships, programs and equipment to support RHC students. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit riohondo.edu/a-taste-of-rio. Río Hondo College is located at 3600 Workman Mill Rd., Whittier.