The Bonita Bearcats and San Dimas Saints will compete for the coveted silver Smudge Pot, an oil-burning tool once used to protect fruit trees from frost and a nod to the cities’ roots in the Southern California citrus industry. Overall, the Bearcats have a 27-24-1 lifetime record against the Saints. A complete history of the rivalry game, including scores, records, and archival photographs, can be found at .
Whittier Union High School District’s five comprehensive high schools have been ranked in the top 20% of public high schools nationwide and the top third in California by U.S. News & World Report, reflecting the District’s commitment to doing Whatever It Takes to prepare students for college, careers, and life. The rankings are based on six factors: college readiness, state assessment proficiency, state assessment performance, underserved student performance, college curriculum breadth, and graduation rates.
In an emotional tribute to three community leaders whose vision and dedication transformed the lives of generations of students, the El Monte Union High School District (EMUHSD) officially dedicated the newly renovated multi-purpose building and gymnasium at Fernando R. Ledesma High School (FRLHS), renaming it the Freddy and Bernie Arteaga and Frank Ogaz Center on Aug. 27. The evening ceremony brought together families, staff, alumni, and community members to honor the Arteaga brothers and the late Frank Ogaz for their decades of service to students. The celebration featured heartfelt speeches, special recognitions, a ceremonial unveiling and ribbon-cutting, and a community taco dinner.
The El Monte Union High School District will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of construction for Mountain View High School’s (MVHS) Modernization Project. The project features enhancements to the entire campus, including classrooms, redesigned landscaping and outdoor seating, softball/baseball field improvements, infrastructure upgrades, and more. The event will include a welcome reception, student performances, and speeches.
Bonita Unified ProStart culinary students and alumni continued to make delectable gains during summer break after a successful appearance at the 14th annual California Restaurant Foundation (CRF) Culinary Clash, as they designed gourmet meals while collaborating with industry professionals and making connections. The Culinary Clash, which raised more than $95,000 for high school culinary programs at this year’s event, pairs ProStart students, who serve as sous chefs, with restaurant executives for a three-month CRF mentorship. Beginning with original ideas brought by the students, teams work to create a dazzling menu item, using certain required ingredients, then plate their creations at a festive outdoor tasting event, where attendees sample and then vote for their favorite student/industry combinations.
Bossier Parish Community College in Louisiana has made caring an institutional priority – embedding the word directly into its mission statement to reflect a commitment that runs through every corner of campus. That focus is felt daily by students, employees, and the community, who all experience Bossier Parish’s dedication to creating a welcoming, connected environment. This fall, the college is taking that commitment to the next level. More than 70 faculty, staff, and administrators will participate in the Caring Campus Academy (CCA) – enough to bring a Caring Campus coach directly to their campus. The CCA will unite every participant around a shared set of behavioral commitments designed to foster belonging and student success, and institutions nationwide can sign up for the fall cohort, launching at the end of September, to bring these commitments to their own campuses. Data shows that when students feel cared about, they persist and succeed at higher rates.
Lynwood Unified kicked off the 2025-26 school year on Aug. 13 with lively music, balloon arches and cheers for nearly 11,000 students returning to 17 campuses. From Transitional Kindergarten to 12th grade, students were welcomed by spirited staff, fresh campus upgrades, expanded dual enrollment opportunities – and a new superintendent ready to lead a year of innovation, inclusion and purpose. To help students start the year strong, all elementary schools hosted a Kinder Jumpstart on Aug. 8, giving young learners the chance to explore classrooms, meet teachers and get comfortable with their new school environment. On the first day of school, students across campuses were greeted by educators and staff committed to creating inclusive spaces where every scholar feels empowered to learn, grow and thrive.
Fontana High School’s Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (MCJROTC) program has once again been recognized for its excellence in community service, leadership, and academics, earning a Naval Honor School designation for the sixth straight year and the 19th time in its 33-year history. The Naval Honor School distinction, awarded annually by the U.S. Marine Corps Training and Education Command, evaluates more than 250 MCJROTC units nationwide. This year, Fontana High (FOHI) stood out despite new, more rigorous standards. Placed in the newly created “mega” category against some of the nation’s largest and most competitive programs, FOHI earned the honor for its academic achievement, leadership development, success in national competitions, and commitment to community service.
Bonita Unified School District kicked off its 2025-26 school year on Aug. 18 in grand style, welcoming approximately 10,000 students from transitional kindergarten (TK) to 12th grade with smiles, hugs, and activities meant to foster a strong sense of community and new levels of excellence. The new school year festivities began with an orientation for the District’s youngest learners on Aug. 14, when they met their teachers and classmates, received tours of their new campuses, played games, and acclimated themselves to their new environments.
Before a new employee even sets foot on campus, they have already been introduced to the caring culture that defines Hinds Community College in Mississippi. With the help of Caring Campus, Hinds College’s Human Resources department is helping shape a welcoming environment that supports both students and employees from day one. Caring Campus expectations are outlined in every Hinds College job description, addressed during new employee orientations, and included in annual performance evaluations. The college also requires yearly professional development sessions focused on Caring Campus to reinforce its commitment to creating a student-centered culture.
