The El Monte Union High School District will celebrate the grand opening and dedication of Rosemead High School’s Vikki Carr Performing Arts Center at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, July 31. The performing arts center is part of the school’s Modernization Project and will include a new exterior plaza, auditorium access, doors, landscaping, exterior paint, a remodeled lobby, restroom upgrades, interior finishes, and improved audio. Carr, a 1958 alumna of RHS, has enjoyed a prolific six decades in music. With top hits in English and Spanish, Carr has won four Grammy Awards and released more than 60 best-selling recordings; she will be in attendance for the dedication.
A piece of Río Hondo College’s (RHC) campus will forever pay tribute to the legacy of Congresswoman Grace Napolitano long after she retires from public service later this year. The Río Hondo College Board of Trustees unanimously approved renaming the College’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) Quad to the Grace F. Napolitano Quad at its July 10 meeting. The dedication honors Congresswoman Napolitano’s extensive contributions and advocacy for RHC, particularly its CTE programs over her 24-plus years in Congress. Napolitano delivered the keynote speech at RHC’s 2022 commencement and helped secure more than $2 million in federal funding to benefit RHC programs throughout her career in Congress. She was first elected to Congress in 1998 and served 13 terms in the House.
Students enrolled in Lynwood Unified School District’s computer science, engineering and health science pathways will soon benefit from an enriched curriculum, advanced learning resources and expanded internship opportunities. These enhancements are made possible thanks to a $2.2 million Golden State Pathways Program Implementation Grant. The grant aims to elevate educational experiences and career readiness for Lynwood students, and will support the District’s dynamic, hands-on career technical education pathway programs that explore science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields.
Imperial Valley College, located in Imperial, CA, is reinforcing its commitment to improving student retention, persistence, and success by participating in a Caring Campus Refresh, re-engaging its staff in the principles necessary to create a supportive and caring educational environment. Across the nation, numerous institutions have undertaken a Caring Campus Refresh to reinforce their commitment to student success. The Refresh sessions offer a more condensed and targeted approach compared to the traditional curriculum, while still following a similar format.
Río Hondo College Welcomes New Student Trustee for 2024-25
Río Hondo College student Hesma Valdes took an oath of office to officially begin her tenure as the student trustee for the 2024-25 academic year during the College’s Board of Trustees meeting on June 12. Valdes said she is motivated by a passion for advocacy for students' basic needs and wellness and has been deeply involved in campus life since she enrolled at the College as a 2023-24 freshman.
Río Hondo College Awarded Prestigious Nursing Education Grant
Río Hondo College's innovative approach to nursing education has garnered it a prestigious spot as one of only four institutions statewide to receive the 2024 Nursing Education Investment Grant from the Foundation for California Community Colleges (FoundationCCC) on June 24. RHC will receive a share of FoundationCCC’s 2024 Nursing Education Investment Grant, which totals $450,000. The College will use the funds to partner with UbiSim, a virtual reality (VR) platform for nursing simulation, to equip its lab with immersive VR technology to enhance the clinical experience for its students.
El Monte Union Earns Top Honor for Academic Excellence
For the second consecutive year, El Monte Union High School District has been selected as a San Gabriel Valley Tribune Readers’ Choice School District, reflecting the District’s unwavering commitment to academic success in the classroom and providing healthier outcomes for the communities it serves. El Monte Union, which was also cited in the Tribune’s 2023 Readers’ Choice poll, has experienced another banner year, as it works toward maintaining positive school culture and academic rigor for its students by providing career technical education pathways and innovative technology, as well as social and emotional support through its wellness centers.
Two Bonita Unified ProStart culinary students demonstrated their prowess in the kitchen, whipping up gastronomic delights for attendees of the California Restaurant Foundation’s annual Culinary Clash fundraiser and walking away with top prizes during the event, which raised more than $90,000 for culinary arts programs in California public high schools. Bonita High School rising senior Charli Padilla won the Golden Plate Award for best presentation and San Dimas High School Class of 2024 graduate Kiana Conway won the Culinary Perfect Puree Champ Award for best use of a sponsor product. This is the second consecutive year that Bonita Unified ProStart students have taken home top awards at the Culinary Clash, held this year on June 7 at the Coca-Cola headquarters in Irvine.
Río Hondo College Fundraiser Delights Guests, Supports Students
Río Hondo College’s campus transformed into a vibrant festival featuring exquisite flavors, captivating entertainment, stunning original art pieces, and a silent auction for the 11th edition of “A Taste of Río” on June 7. The Río Hondo College Foundation’s marquee annual fundraiser drew more than 350 attendees and raised approximately $105,000 for scholarships, programs, and equipment to support Río Hondo College students throughout their educational journey. It marked the first time in the history of the event – which was first launched in 2012 – that it drew more than 350 guests and raised more than $103,000 in consecutive years.
A Whittier Union Adult School (WUAS) program that streamlines the process for students looking to graduate into the local workforce has been recognized with the California Department of Education’s Promising Practice Award, further establishing the school as a valuable resource for residents looking for industry certifications that lead to lucrative careers. WAUS is one of two California adult schools to participate in the U.S Department of Education’s Integrated Education Training (IET) Advanced Design Camp program, which aims to align classroom instruction to better reflect the needs of local industry based on three specific criteria: literacy, workforce preparation, and workforce training. This is the second consecutive year that WAUS has received the Promising Practice Award from the CDE. In 2023, the school was cited for its program that merged English as a Second Language curriculum with career technical education.
