As an incoming freshman, California High School senior Viridian “Viv” Gonzalez got off to a flying start, earning straight A’s in her first semester, with a challenging schedule that included several Honors classes. Her future looked bright; then calamity struck. Gonzalez fell ill during her second semester and was hospitalized for months, missing a considerable amount of school. When Gonzalez returned to Cal High for her sophomore year, she was still very weak and wheelchair bound but determined to pick up where she left off. Enrolling in Cal High’s Health Academy pathway and with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) to guide her, Gonzalez persevered despite her limited mobility, excelling in all her classes and slowly regaining her health. As a senior with a 3.5 GPA and improved health, Gonzalez said she is looking forward to taking the Certified Nurse’s Assistant (CNA) exam this spring.
Covina-Valley Unified Trade-Tech Academy students demonstrated their expertise in welding, hair-cutting, electrical work, and more at the SkillsUSA Regional Competition in January, showcasing their career readiness and technical proficiency. The SkillsUSA competition is an opportunity for students to demonstrate their skills in various career technical education (CTE) fields in real-world scenarios, performing hands-on tasks judged by industry professionals. This is the first year Trade-Tech Academy students have participated in the competition, and 15 students across all three Covina-Valley Unified comprehensive high schools advanced through regionals and will compete at the State competition in April.
Lynwood Unified School District is teaming up with SLA Inc. to transform 10 school sites and campuses into sustainable green spaces in which to learn and grow through The Lynwood Greening Initiative, a project funded by nearly $2 million in CAL FIRE grants. The initiative, which will roll out over the next three years, will revamp 10 sites – Firebaugh High School, Hosler Middle School and Mark Twain, Helen Keller, Lincoln, Lugo, Roosevelt and Washington elementary schools, and the Early Childhood Education (ECE) centers at Lindbergh and Will Rogers elementary schools – into eco-friendly hubs that reflect the community’s vision while providing students with hands-on environmental learning experiences.
Fontana Unified School District Superintendent Miki R. Inbody has been named a Superintendent to Watch by the California School Public Relations Association (CalSPRA), while the District also earned four awards during the 2025 CalSPRA Awards Gala on March 7, underscoring FUSD’s commitment to innovative outreach and community engagement. Inbody joins CalSPRA’s prestigious list of Superintendents to Watch, who have demonstrated dynamic, fast-paced leadership with strong communication at its core. She was selected from a pool of nominees for the award, which recognizes superintendents with fewer than five years of experience. FUSD was also recognized with three CalSPRA Awards of Merit while Senior Director of Marketing, Communications, and Engagement Clarissa Trejo was named a 2025 CalSPRA Rising Star. CalSPRA awards are designed to celebrate outstanding communications work in comprehensive programs/campaigns and tactics.
Fresh off an award-winning production, Jurupa Hills High School’s theatre group, dubbed Players of the Palace, is wrapping up its 2024-25 season with its production of “Frozen: The Broadway Musical.” Based on Disney’s beloved animated film, the production will bring all of its iconic characters to life on stage. The Players of the Palace offers Jurupa Hills students advanced theatre instruction, preparing them for success in performance and technical roles. The general public can purchase tickets to one of its performances through tix.com.
El Monte Union High School District (EMUHSD) will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the grand opening of its new Family and Community Engagement Center. Designed to serve as a central hub for Districtwide workshops and events—including the annual Posada in December—the facility will provide valuable resources and support services for families and the community. The center features a state-of-the-art meeting room with advanced technology, modern finishes, and an inviting exterior. Additional amenities include a conference space, kitchenette, and nursing room, offering a welcoming environment for collaboration and engagement.
Two Fontana High School (FOHI) Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (MCJROTC) marksmanship teams will travel to Sandy, Utah looking to continue its run of success at the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) Three-Position Air Rifle (3PAR) Western Regional hosted at the Mountain America Exposition Center on April 10-12. Media are invited to visit a FOHI MCJROTC marksmanship practice leading up to the regional competition, where FOHI MCJROTC Senior Marine Instructor (SMI), Lieutenant Colonel Rugsithi Denny Meelarp, Ret. and student team members will be available for on-camera interviews.
Arroyo and Rosemead high schools’ boys’ basketball teams battled through a competitive, 32-team bracket to set up an all-El Monte Union High School District championship game in the CIF Southern Section (CIF-SS) Division 5A finale. It marked the third meeting of the season between the Mission Valley League (MVL) opponents, with both teams splitting the regular season series. In the end, Arroyo High won the hard-fought CIF-SS championship game by a final score of 50-38 in front of a packed crowd at Azusa Pacific University on Feb. 28. Students, families, and alumni from both schools filled the stands, creating an electric atmosphere as fans rallied behind the players throughout the night.
Hacienda La Puente Unified brought the Year of the Snake alive during a visually stunning and melodious Lunar New Year’s celebration on Feb. 18 featuring the student talents of Glen A. Wilson and Los Altos high schools, and Mesa Robles and Newton middle schools, who honored the holiday’s cultural heritage with song and dance. Wilson High senior Taylor Hornell, who attended previous District Lunar New Year celebrations, said he was eager for an opportunity to kick off the cultural festivities and provided opening remarks in Mandarin, with others speaking in English and Korean.
South Hills High School has been nationally recognized for its commitment to closing the gender gap in computer science, earning the AP® Computer Science Female Diversity Award by the College Board’s AP Program, underscoring Covina-Valley Unified’s commitment to providing equitable opportunities that empower all students to excel in high-demand fields. South Hills secured the award for its efforts in expanding young women’s access to both the AP Computer Science A (CSA) and AP Computer Science Principles (CSP) classes. It was one of only 237 schools nationwide to receive this recognition for AP CSA, reflecting the school’s success in increasing female representation in computer science during the 2023-24 school year.
