Bonita Unified Diving Prodigy Seeks to Qualify for Summer Olympics
Arroyo High School alumnus and girls basketball coach Mike Gorball is celebrating multiple achievements during his 34th season at Arroyo High, after becoming the first girls basketball coach in San Gabriel Valley history and only the 12th coach in CIF Southern Section history to earn 500 victories. Gorball completed the milestone when Arroyo defeated Schurr High School 40-22 in December 2023. The El Monte Union Board of Trustees will honor Gorball during a meeting in February.
Hacienda La Puente Unified showcased a year of growth and success during its ninth annual State of the District on Jan. 18. With a theme of “Engage, Experience, Connect: Deep Learning Every Day,” Superintendent Dr. Alfonso Jiménez led the event with a comprehensive presentation packed with animations and lively photos highlighting the past year’s accomplishments in front of a crowd of distinguished guests, administrators, staff, community and HLPUSD Board of Education members. At the conclusion, the District premiered its showcase video, which recognized the dedicated staff that make Hacienda La Puente Unified the ideal educational choice for families.
Coffee Talk with Río Hondo College’s Superintendent/President
The Río Hondo College community is invited to join Superintendent/President Dr. Marilyn Flores for an in-person coffee talk event, Un Cafecito, from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. on Friday, May 10. Dr. Flores will use this opportunity to meet with members of the community, hear their ideas, and establish camaraderie with those who participate in the event. Un Cafecito is hosted at the Río Hondo College Administration Building’s Board Room, located at 3600 Workman Mill Road, Whittier.
Bonita Unified to Showcase Successes During State of the District
Bonita Unified School District will host its 2023-24 State of the District Address for local business partners, community leaders and families at 10:15 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 8. Superintendent Matt Wien will provide an update on the District’s accomplishments; highlight academic, arts, athletic and extracurricular programs; and discuss BUSD’s vision and mission. In addition to Wien’s keynote address, the event will include refreshments prepared by District staff and choral performances from Bonita and San Dimas high schools. The free event will be held at the Bonita Center for the Arts, located at 822 W. Covina Blvd., San Dimas.
Fontana Unified to Host Black History Month Celebration
Fontana Unified School District and the FUSD African American Parent Advisory Council will honor the rich contributions of African and African American heritage during a Black History Month celebration at Fontana High School from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 3. With its theme of “Harmony in Heritage and Knowledge,” the event will be split into two parts, with a Black Excellence Awards Ceremony, to be held in the FOHI theater beginning at 10 a.m., and continuing with a Black History Celebration Fair, beginning at noon in the school quad. The Celebration Fair will include live performances, traditional African dancing, arts, crafts and exhibits. Fontana High School is located at 9453 Citrus Ave., Fontana.
Fontana Unified School District students and staff from Summit and A.B. Miller high schools will partner with students in Baldwin Park High School’s sports media club to share best practices and mentorship in preparation for BPHS’ launch of a news broadcast, the Braves Sports Network. Summit and A.B. Miller students will share filming and editing techniques they have learned through their schools’ career technical education pathways in TV/film and video production.
LUSD Board Reorganizes, Celebrates School Board Recognition Month
Lynwood Unified School District welcomed Board of Education members to new leadership positions at its annual reorganization meeting on Dec. 14, setting the stage for another year of exemplary leadership. Maria G. Lopez was selected to serve as Board president, succeeding Alfonso Morales; Alma Carina Castro was selected as vice president and Julian Del Real-Calleros as clerk. Morales and Gary Hardie, Jr. will continue as Board members. Throughout January, the District will continue to celebrate Board members for their dedicated service and commitment as part of School Board Recognition Month.
Hacienda La Puente Highlights Community During State of the District
Hacienda La Puente Unified will showcase a year of growth, success, and the importance of community during its 9th Annual State of the District at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 18 at the Hacienda Heights Community Center. Hosted by HLPUSD Superintendent Dr. Alfonso Jiménez, the State of the District will highlight the past year’s accomplishments with a comprehensive presentation and high-spirited showcase video. The Hacienda Heights Community Center is located at 1234 Valencia Ave., Hacienda Heights.
Arroyo High School sophomore Richard Cobian will showcase his talents in saber fencing – and seek to inspire others in his community to develop a love for the sport – when he competes against elite fencers from across the country at the 2024 USA Fencing Junior Olympics in February. Cobian earned his spot at the Junior Olympics after winning a gold medal during the qualifier in December. Cobian started fencing when he was a fifth-grader at Río Hondo Elementary School, which was close to his studio, the West Coast Fencing Academy. Cobian specializes in the saber category – one of three disciplines in modern fencing, which are saber, foil and épée, with each specialty using a different kind of blade and set of rules.
Summit High School senior Imran Chaudhery’s passion for robotics has not only taught him important life skills, lessons and shaped his goals for the future, but taken him around the world – with his latest stop coming at the 2023 World Robotics Olympiad in Panama. Chaudhery joined a robotics team outside of school and began earning team victories at numerous competitions. He previously earned a spot in the World Robotics Olympiad Friendship Tournament in Denmark in 2019. Chaudhery and his teammates represented America again at the 2023 World Robotics Olympiad, which was held in November.
