Bonita High School Class of 2023 graduate Micah Tofilau discovered he had a knack for working with his hands when he took a jewelry-making class as a junior. Realizing that Tofilau had a great aptitude for soldering and fabricating, his instructor Brian Harrison recommended that he look into pursuing a career as a welder. Tofilau was one of nine recent Bonita Unified graduates who received welding certifications from the Welding Certification Center (WCC) in Pomona during a special graduation ceremony on Nov. 21, after taking advantage of a 16-week career technical education (CTE) pilot program that provided low- to no-cost certification training to high school students, through a partnership with Pomona Valley America’s Job Center of California (AJCC) and the Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity (LACDEO).
Twenty-eight Bonita Unified educators were awarded nearly $10,000 in mini-grants by the La Verne/San Dimas Educational Foundation (LVSDEF), which will help enhance hands-on learning opportunities for students across the District in the 2024-25 school year. Members of the LVSDEF presented the mini-grants, which ranged from $100 to $500, to educators from 13 BUSD schools during the Nov. 6 Board of Education meeting.
More than 300 Lone Hill Middle School (LHMS) students, parents, and community members promoted inclusivity and acceptance as they celebrated the legacy of American civil rights icon and activist Ruby Bridges by participating in the school’s inaugural Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day on Nov. 14. Students at Lone Hill gathered early in the morning, enjoying donuts as they prepared for a walk promoting inclusion and unity. Led by two students carrying a “Brave Like Ruby” banner, participants marched together in a large line, starting from two locations, holding signs that celebrated diversity and togetherness. The walk concluded with an assembly featuring speakers who highlighted the importance of acceptance and kindness as cornerstones of Lone Hill culture.
The Bonita High School football team, fresh off an undefeated regular season and ready to compete in the CIF Southern Section Division 3 playoffs, could not contain their enthusiasm, stamping their feet and whooping it up, while watching star linebacker Noah Mikhail be presented his official Navy All-American Bowl Game jersey by principal Kenny Ritchie, capping a prep football career that established Mikhail as one of the top high school football players in the country. Mikhail, who has already committed to play collegiate ball at Texas A&M, is one of 100 players selected to play in the annual high school all-star matchup, to be held Jan. 11 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, and televised nationally on NBC. The All-American Bowl traditionally showcases the top emerging talent in college football, with nearly 600 All-American alumni drafted into the National Football League, 93 Super Bowl champions, 247 Pro Bowl selections, and 18 Heisman Trophy finalists.
Forty Ekstrand Elementary School students walked around campus with an extra spring in their step after receiving a surprise gift of brand-new shoes from Bonita Unified Board of Education President Greg Palatto and Ekstrand Principal Gerard Granade on Oct. 21. The donation, made possible by Shoes That Fit and the San Dimas Masonic Lodge, brought smiles and excitement as students eagerly tried on their new footwear, marveling at the size, color, and brand options tailored for them. Each year, the San Dimas Masonic Lodge chooses a local charity to sponsor; in support of Shoes That Fit, members raised more than $1,200 to fund the donation of shoes for Ekstrand students in need, who were identified by school staff.
Recognizing the valuable contributions of strong community partnerships that support Bonita Unified staff, students, and families, Superintendent Matt Wien presented two local volunteers with the Bonita Purpose Award – the District’s highest honor – during the Oct. 9 Board of Education meeting. Wien presented the award to Project Boon executive director and co-founder Chris Suchanek, as well as Bonita Council PTA vice-president Vicky Maliszewski.
When Chaparral-Vista High School culinary students began the semester, they thought they would simply be taking notes and honing their basic skills before moving on to preparing restaurant-quality dishes as the year progressed. What they did not know was that they would immediately be assigned to create a pot of chili that could compete with the best recipes in the District. The students were up to the task and the Chaparral-Vista culinary program once again shocked judges, contestants, and chili lovers alike by winning first-place in the third annual Bonita PTA Council Chili Cook-Off, held in September. Chaparral-Vista students also won the inaugural cook-off in 2022, and have now earned their second “golden ladle” to place on their culinary Wall of Champions.
Bonita Unified School District students achieved record-setting scores on the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) in 2023-24, reflecting the District’s success in fully overcoming the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on academic performance. According to recently released CAASPP results for spring 2024, 72.5% of Bonita Unified students met or exceeded standards in English language arts (ELA) and 60.5% met or exceeded standards in math, marking an all-time high in both subjects for the District. The results indicate a slight increase over 2022-23 scores, which already marked significant progress in mitigating learning loss related to the pandemic.
When San Dimas High School students pass the gym on their way to class, they are greeted by a wall of fame highlighting some of the greatest athletes to ever wear a Saints uniform. Bookended by sibling stars Jocilyn and Jeremy Veal, who anchored the great San Dimas girls and boys basketball teams of the 1990s, the images seek to inspire and instill school pride.
The girls flag football teams at Bonita and San Dimas high schools will engage in a beloved District tradition as they face off for the first time during the inaugural season of CIF Southern Section flag football for the “Smudge Crown” rivalry game. With the undefeated Bonita squad setting its sights on a perfect record in its inaugural season, San Dimas will look to play spoiler. The game – rescheduled due to the Bridge Fire in September – will also feature an unusual, head-to-head family rivalry with a much-anticipated matchup between sisters Ashley and Breanna Sandmark, who will face off on opposite sides of the field for the very first time. Ashley and Breanna, both in their senior years and co-captains of their teams, attend San Dimas High and Bonita High, respectively.
