Covina High School senior Titilola (Lola) Opanubi is preparing to take the next step in her academic journey this fall at the University of Pennsylvania (UPENN), paved by her deep commitment to academic excellence, social impact, and student leadership. Opanubi’s acceptance to UPENN continues a tradition of Ivy League success at Covina High School – a legacy of academic excellence that has spanned the past three years. Driven by a desire to uplift her community, Opanubi has spent her high school years leading and giving back. Through a voluntary Social Impact Project with Close the Gap Foundation, she worked to increase awareness of college access programs, such as “fly-in” opportunities and internships. Opanubi also serves as finance director for IgniteHER, a nonprofit focused on empowering the next generation of young female leaders.
Northview High School senior John Rincon will bring his people-centered mindset and passion for engineering to the University of Southern California this fall, continuing a proud family tradition of academic excellence at Northview High. As a four-year basketball player and Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) student, Rincon has made his mark at Northview both on and off the court. He has played varsity basketball since his sophomore year, building lifelong friendships and leadership skills that he plans to carry with him to college.
Manzanita Elementary School has been named one of America’s Best Schools by the National Center for Urban School Transformation (NCUST) in 2025, a prestigious honor that highlights the school’s unwavering commitment to educational excellence, equity, and strong academic and extracurricular programs that prepare the District’s young learners for lifelong success. With this award, NCUST recognizes Manzanita as one of the top 10 elementary schools in the nation, celebrating its ability to achieve high levels of academic proficiency for all students, regardless of race, ethnicity, disability, or income level.
Covina-Valley Unified School District will celebrate the opening of Covina High School’s cutting-edge aviation and aerospace career technical education (CTE) classroom, which is designed to provide students with hands-on learning opportunities and real-world experience. The CTE pathway introduces students to the fundamentals of aviation and aerospace while preparing them for future careers in the field.
South Hills High School senior Michael Yuan has devoted his high school years to academic excellence, athletic achievement, and musical passion. As an International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma candidate, varsity swimmer, and dedicated band member, Yuan exemplifies what it means to be a well-rounded student – an achievement that earned him the prestigious Edison Scholarship. Each year, Edison International awards 30 high school seniors a $50,000 scholarship to support their pursuit of higher education in science, technology, engineering, or math. This marks the third consecutive year a South Hills student has received the distinguished award.
Ben Lomond Elementary School Principal Ryan Price will represent the state of California as the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) Middle School Assistant Principal of the Year in Washington D.C., from April 9-12, recognizing her as a standout administrator who has dedicated 25 years to serving Covina-Valley Unified School District’s students and families. Price previously served as an assistant principal at Sierra Vista Middle School for five years. She was named the 2024 Secondary Co-Administrator of the Year by the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) for Region 15 in the 2023-24 school year. She will join middle and high school assistant principals from across the country at the NASSP National Educational Leadership Awards program, where she will participate in networking, workshops, and celebrations.
Covina-Valley Unified School District’s Northview High School is inviting students, families, and the community to VikingFest 2025, an annual celebration highlighting the school’s exceptional programs, student achievements, and Viking pride.
Covina-Valley Unified Trade-Tech Academy students demonstrated their expertise in welding, hair-cutting, electrical work, and more at the SkillsUSA Regional Competition in January, showcasing their career readiness and technical proficiency. The SkillsUSA competition is an opportunity for students to demonstrate their skills in various career technical education (CTE) fields in real-world scenarios, performing hands-on tasks judged by industry professionals. This is the first year Trade-Tech Academy students have participated in the competition, and 15 students across all three Covina-Valley Unified comprehensive high schools advanced through regionals and will compete at the State competition in April.
South Hills High School has been nationally recognized for its commitment to closing the gender gap in computer science, earning the AP® Computer Science Female Diversity Award by the College Board’s AP Program, underscoring Covina-Valley Unified’s commitment to providing equitable opportunities that empower all students to excel in high-demand fields. South Hills secured the award for its efforts in expanding young women’s access to both the AP Computer Science A (CSA) and AP Computer Science Principles (CSP) classes. It was one of only 237 schools nationwide to receive this recognition for AP CSA, reflecting the school’s success in increasing female representation in computer science during the 2023-24 school year.
When South Hills High School senior Sally Ortega came across an unconscious man in a parking lot, she did not hesitate to put her training into action. Joining a group of individuals taking turns giving the man chest compressions, Ortega helped keep the man stable until Emergency Medical Services arrived. As a student in South Hills High’s Patient Care career technical education (CTE) pathway, Ortega has gained various medical assisting skills, including learning how to take vital signs, recognizing signs of infection, assisting physicians with exams and minor surgical procedures, performing laboratory tests, and earning CPR certification.
