San Dimas High School ProStart restaurant management students punched their tickets to Washington, D.C. after their idea for an unapologetically delicious, fast-casual restaurant specializing in guilty pleasure entrees won first place in the California Restaurant Foundation’s 2023 ProStart Cup. Following their victory at the state competition in March, the winning students will now advance to the nation’s capital to compete in the National ProStart Invitational in early May. This is the second time in San Dimas High School history that ProStart culinary students have won the California competition, but the first time that they will make the trip to nationals. The first-place victory was the capper in a historic day for the Bonita Unified ProStart culinary program, with five San Dimas High and Bonita High teams placing in the top five in both the culinary and restaurant management categories, and more than a dozen students winning a total of $80,000 in scholarships. Of over 200 schools with ProStart curriculum in California, only 29 culinary teams and 11 management teams were selected to compete at the state level.
The El Monte Union High School District (EMUHSD) celebrated more than 1,685 seniors from the Class of 2023 during commencement ceremonies as parents, families, teachers, staff, community members and local officials applauded graduates who proudly walked across the stage to receive their high school diplomas on June 7 and 8. The ceremonies featured a special rendition of “Remember Me” from the Pixar Film “Coco” by El Monte High School’s band; heartfelt speeches from South El Monte High School’s 12 valedictorians; videos of Mountain View High School seniors sharing a message to families, their accomplishments throughout their high school careers and favorite memories; singing of the alma mater by Rosemead High School’s choirs; and a series of grand finale fireworks.
Set to the backdrop of cheering families, Baldwin Park Unified School District celebrated more than 1,000 graduates in the Class of 2023 for their hard work and accomplishments during commencement ceremonies for the District’s adult school, continuation high school and two comprehensive high schools. The Baldwin Park Adult and Community Education (BPACE) program kicked off the festivities on June 1 at the Baldwin Park Performing Arts Center, with more than 230 graduates receiving career technical education certificates, diplomas and high school equivalency certificates in front of families, friends, educators and administrators. North Park Continuation High School recognized 126 graduating seniors during an intimate ceremony on June 7, featuring powerful student speeches and an emotional special presentation. During the ceremony, North Park graduates turned the focus from the Class of 2023 to the parents, mentors and guardians who helped them reach this milestone by bestowing beaded necklaces on those who supported them most.
Fontana High School is sparking students’ passion for hands-on work in manufacturing and product development through its Welding and Material Joining career technical education pathway, where they learn about the operation, standards, and current practices in welding and fabrication. Students in the pathway can earn certifications from the nonprofit American Welding Society (AWS) and test for welding certifications for advanced welding employment through Fontana High’s accredited welding testing facility. The AWS offers nine certification categories designed to address all segments of the welding and joining industry that gives students the opportunity to leverage their expanded knowledge and expertise across their future professional roles.
Two Baldwin Park Unified Seniors Receive 2023 Dell Scholarships
Sierra Vista High School seniors Briana Gaona and Jose Luis Parra will pursue higher education with the help of a $20,000 scholarship from the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation. Gaona and Parra were named 2023 Dell Scholars this spring and the seniors were recognized during the school’s graduation ceremony on June 8. The scholarship will be distributed over the course of the students’ academic careers, and the graduates will receive a laptop, personalized academic, financial support and more. Gaona will attend University of California, San Diego, and Parra will go to California Polytechnic University, Pomona.
Bonita Unified Commencement Recognizes Exceptional Class of 2023
Under dramatic theater lights and skies filled with cascading streamers and striking fireworks, graduates from Chaparral-Vista, Bonita and San Dimas high schools turned their tassels and tossed their caps into the air during commencement ceremonies that celebrated the triumphs achieved, challenges experienced and memories made by Bonita Unified’s Class of 2023. The ceremonies – held June 6 for Chaparral-Vista and San Dimas and June 8 for Bonita – showcased the graduates’ excellence in their academic, athletic, artistic and extracurricular endeavors, from state awards for leadership and CIF championships to prestigious scholarships and nationally recognized culinary programs. Bonita Unified’s Class of 2023 features high-achieving graduates who will continue their education at institutions such as UCLA, UC Berkeley and Purdue University, as well as those who have enlisted in U.S. Armed Forces or will enter the professional world.
Covina-Valley Unified School District celebrated the resilience and extraordinary accomplishments of its diverse Class of 2023 with five vibrant graduation ceremonies filled with powerful music, moving speeches, and festive streamer cannons. Over four days, a total of 1,064 Covina-Valley Unified graduates were individually recognized and had their names read aloud to packed, cheering crowds filled with friends and family. The District’s Class of 2023 included 38 valedictorians and 229 graduates with honors for attaining GPAs of 3.65 to 4.0.
Whittier Union Board to Fill Vacancy During Special Board Meeting
The Whittier Union High School District Board of Trustees will interview six eligible candidates to fill the vacancy for the Trustee Area 3 seat, following Dr. Ralph S. Pacheco’s retirement from the Board on July 7, 2023. The candidates, all from Santa Fe Springs and Norwalk, will participate in a candidate orientation during a Special Board Meeting beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday, June 10 at the District Board Room, 9401 S. Painter Ave., Whittier. Following the orientation, candidates will be interviewed during open session. At the conclusion of the interviews, the Board will deliberate during open session and vote to appoint a provisional seat to the Whittier Union Board of Trustees.
The Shull Elementary School cafeteria, transformed into a marketplace of ideas, was loud with the machinations of commerce as fourth-grade students hawked everything from homemade jewelry and painted rocks to daisy chains and origami jumping frogs during its end-of-the-year Business Day, held June 2. The Shull Business Day is a twice-yearly event that encourages students to create their own business plans, then use play money they have accumulated over the school year to purchase, trade or bargain with their classmates and their families. Students earn money throughout the year by completing assignments and displaying good behavior, depositing their earnings in a classroom bank account only they and their teachers can access.
Whittier Union High School District’s Class of 2023 scholars celebrated their academic achievements and triumphs as they crossed the graduation stage, hearing heartfelt speeches that reflected on their time in the District, during commencement ceremonies held June 5 to 7. The District celebrated graduates from the District’s five comprehensive high schools, two alternative high schools and adult school. Nearly 2,700 graduates, accompanied by educators, administrators and families, shed tears of joy as they enjoyed exhilarating performances from the District's band and choir groups. Santa Fe High School, Sierra Vista High School and Frontier High School seniors, along with Whittier Union Adult School graduates, were cheered on by their families and friends during ceremonies on June 5, followed by California High School and Whittier High School graduations on June 6. La Serna and Pioneer high schools concluded the festivities with ceremonies on June 7.
