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.
Manzanita Elementary School kindergartener Noah P. showcased his creativity and talent by earning a finalist spot in the SC Johnson Happy Hands contest, a national competition that emphasizes the importance of handwashing in schools. The contest encourages students in grades K-12 to use their imagination by designing a custom soap dispenser to promote better handwashing. A committee of judges evaluated each submission based on visual appeal, overall design, creativity, and unique design elements and chose finalists from both K-5 and 6-12. The Grand Prize winner will be chosen through public voting, open from Saturday, Feb. 1 – Friday, Feb. 28.
South Hills High School students, employees, families, and community members celebrated the grand unveiling of the school’s innovative new library, designed to inspire and support student success, during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Jan. 23. The cutting-edge learning hub features updated technology, dynamic workspaces for both individual and collaborative use, and an imaginative atmosphere to fulfill the needs of South Hills students. The ribbon-cutting ceremony featured addresses by Covina-Valley Unified Superintendent and event MC Dr. Elizabeth Eminhizer, Board of Education Vice President Maria Caceres, and Board Member Maria Cruz, emphasizing the importance of providing students with modern resources to enhance their educational journey.
Covina-Valley Unified School District will hold a vibrant ceremony to celebrate the grand opening of the new South Hills High School library. Designed as a cutting-edge learning hub, the new library features state-of-the-art technology, along with versatile individual and collaborative workspaces to inspire and support student success.
Covina-Valley Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Eminhizer has been honored as a 2024-25 Superintendent to Watch by the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA), recognizing her as an innovative and visionary leader who is dedicated to fostering student success and excellence. Each year, NSPRA recognizes up to 25 superintendents from across the country, honoring dynamic district leaders with fewer than five years of experience as a superintendent who uses strong communication and technology to expand outreach efforts.
