Río Hondo College will host its second annual Invention Camp Río program for adults 18 years and older and high school students. In partnership with Lemelson-MIT, Río Hondo College faculty members in the disciplines of business, engineering and architecture will collaboratively lead the Invention Camp Río. Participants will learn the invention process, prototyping, how to generate a business plan and a pitch for a product that can later become patented. A makerspace lab will be available to help design their product. The Invention Camp Río program aims to help participants think creatively and learn to work independently and in teams to solve problems in the community.
Whittier High School senior Fabiola Ramirez stands as a testament to resilience, facing and conquering challenges that few encounter in a lifetime. From the moment she was born with severe hearing loss in both ears and labeled medically hard of hearing, Ramirez has defied stereotypes and refused to let her unique journey be defined by her hearing loss. Ramirez, a lifelong Whittier resident, has worn hearing aids since childhood, enduring the isolating experience of being the only student in her class with such devices. Amid instances of bullying, she transferred elementary schools twice. However, her journey took a positive turn when she enrolled at Katherine Edwards Middle School, where she began to find her stride. For her ability to overcome challenges and excel in her academic and personal pursuits, Ramirez was recognized with an Award of Merit by the Whittier Union Board of Trustees during a March 12 meeting.
San Dimas High School senior Peter Fang has won the California Art Education Association’s (CAEA) Banner and Flag program contest for his artistic depiction of California, and will represent the state with his banner on display at the National Art Education Association’s (NAEA) Youth Art Month convention in April. Fang created his banner with a mix of markers and fine liners, drawing his inspiration from what has made California into the state we know today. Fang discovered his passion for art at an early age, when he found himself drawing as a way to express himself and let his creativity flow. He is currently in the school’s Advanced Art class, with plans to enroll in Advanced Placement Studio Art in his senior year.
Bonita High School was recognized for providing Advanced Placement (AP) computer science courses to a large range of students and increasing the percentage of female students in the course, earning the school the College Board AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award. Bonita High is one of 834 schools nationwide honored in the category of AP Computer Science Principles (AP CSP) for reaching a high percentage of female student representation in the course during the 2022-23 school year. Both of Bonita Unified’s comprehensive high schools have been honored for boosting enrollment of female students in their computer science courses; San Dimas High School received the recognition from College Board for the 2021-22 school year.
C-VUSD Senior Receives Full-Ride Scholarship to Northwestern
South Hills High School senior Aiden Cordova will bring his people-centered mindset and passion for helping others to a new city in the fall after matching with Northwestern University through QuestBridge’s Match Scholarship. Match Scholarship recipients are granted admission to one of QuestBridge’s college partners with a full four-year scholarship.
Arroyo High School has been recognized as a 2024 California Distinguished School, one of just four schools in the San Gabriel Valley to receive the honor from the California Department of Education (CDE), for its outstanding efforts in closing the achievement gap for students and producing exceptional scholars. Arroyo was one of 293 schools across California recognized by the CDE. Arroyo High's achievement follows its recent six-year accreditation by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) in 2023. The school provides rigorous programs and high-quality services catering to the needs of its students.
South Hills High School senior Aiden Cordova will bring his people-centered mindset and passion for helping others to a new city in the fall after matching with Northwestern University through QuestBridge’s Match Scholarship. Match Scholarship recipients are granted admission to one of QuestBridge’s college partners with a full four-year scholarship. The application process includes applicants ranking their top 10 colleges, completing essays and other supplemental materials for those colleges, and finally being matched with the college deemed their best fit.
Summit High School’s cheer team continued its historic run of success with standout postseason performances, which included the SkyHawks winning both a regional and national championship this season. Summit High won the program’s fifth straight and 10th overall United Spirit Association Spirit Nationals title in Anaheim during the Feb. 16-18 competition after taking home their third straight and fourth overall California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section division championship this postseason.
Surrounded by cheering students, Chaparral Academy of Technology teacher Alexandra Cruz was surprised when Fontana Unified School District administrators and colleagues came into her classroom carrying a bouquet of flowers and a sign to announce she had been named the 2023-24 District Teacher of the Year on Feb. 20. Cruz was recognized as the FUSD Teacher of the Year for her dedication to supporting both her students and colleagues, along with her engaging classroom lessons and how she has embraced new technology in the classroom.
Lynwood Students Kick off Read Across America Week with L.A. Chargers
Lincoln Elementary School kicked off Read Across America Week with the L.A. Chargers, who read captivating stories to some of Lincoln’s youngest learners on March 1. The event was held in partnership with the Los Angeles Chargers Impact Fund, which aims to empower youth to achieve their dreams. Students connected with legendary NFL stars, Corey Liuget and Elijah Dotson, both of whom sported signature Dr. Seuss costumes as they read to kindergarten and first- and second-graders. Students received Dr. Seuss books, bags, rally towels and flags, and took home three free books of their choosing from the Scholastic Book Fair.
