For El Monte High School (EMHS) junior and art student Michelle Garcia, Día de los Muertos is a holiday to be celebrated with vibrant colors, a special day when family and friends come together to pay tribute to loved ones, and a sacred observance rich with symbolism and traditions that evoke happiness and memories of the past. To honor Día de los Muertos, Garcia created an artwork bursting with radiant imagination, communicating the delicate dance between life and death. The piece features brightly lit marigolds, a dapper calavera in a flower-lined sombrero, nostalgic Lotería cards, and the mysterious, watchful gaze of the Día de los Muertos icon, La Catrina. Garcia’s captivating art was honored by the Pasadena Tournament of Roses, winning first place in the fifth annual Día de los Muertos Art Competition, in the 14 to 18 age group. Along with the recognition, Garcia received a $2,000 scholarship, presented in partnership with the Consulate General of Mexico in Los Angeles. Her work can be viewed online.
Excitement filled the air as El Monte High School (EMHS) students ran through the school’s iconic inflatable Lion tunnel to kick off a groundbreaking celebration commemorating the start of construction on the school’s new track and field facility on Oct. 30. The project will provide EMHS with a modernized track and field facility, made possible by El Monte Union High School District’s (EMUHSD) Measure D and HS funds. Expected to be completed by May 2025, the new athletic space will feature a synthetic track and field, a state-of-the-art scoreboard, and various site improvements, reflecting the District’s commitment to creating versatile spaces that empower students to strive for excellence in both athletics and academic performance.
Rosemead Adult School (EMRAS) united its community to encourage public health awareness and civic participation in October through events aimed at raising awareness for breast cancer research and funding and registering voters for the upcoming elections. EMRAS continued its legacy of community engagement through a Breast Cancer Awareness Month campaign, marked by visual reminders on campus, including vibrant signs and a remembrance wall. The school launched the month of personal and collective awareness with a four-day voter registration drive, which ended on Oct. 3.
Current Rosemead High School students and alumni, dating back to the 1950s, commemorated the school’s legacy and impact with student performances and carnival-inspired food and games during a 75th-anniversary Panther Palooza celebration on Oct. 10. El Monte Union High School District (EMUHSD) leaders, Board of Trustee members, staff, students, and the community embraced the festive atmosphere, which was orchestrated by the RHS Associated Student Body (ASB) and Class of 2025 before Rosemead’s football game against Mountain View High.
El Monte Union High School District (EMUHSD) celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month with a series of interactive assemblies and performances spotlighting Latino history and culture in engaging, educational formats designed to resonate with students and families, culminating in a “Soy Asombroso (I Am Awesome)” showcase at El Monte High School on Oct. 10. The District partnered with School Yard Rap, an innovative group that blends hip-hop with history lessons, for a final showcase during Hispanic Heritage Month, which ran from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. Additionally, students participated in festive assemblies celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month the week of Sept. 16.
Over the last three decades, South El Monte High School (SEMHS) Athletic Director Sonia Ayala has been instrumental in shaping the school’s 17 competitive sports teams while also committing herself to the physical wellness of her students as a freshman physical education (PE) teacher. In recognition of her dedication to student success in her hybrid role at SEMHS, Ayala was named the District’s 2024-25 Teacher of the Year. She received the award at the Oct. 2 Board meeting and was also honored as a 2024 Educator of Distinction by 56th District Assemblymember Lisa Calderon.
The El Monte Union High School District and Rosemead High School community will come together for a carnival to kick off the school's 75th anniversary celebration with "Panther Palooza." The event will include a senior night and tailgate, student performances, games, a DJ, photo booth, food, and music. Hosted by Rosemead High's Associated Student Body and the Class of 2025, the Panther Palooza will feature a tailgate for seniors as they introduce the Rosemead High School football team before its game against Mountain View High School at 7 p.m. on the Panthers' field.
El Monte Union High School District (EMUHSD) and the South El Monte High School (SEMHS) community celebrated the school’s revamped landscaping, outdoor seating areas, upgraded classrooms, a new library, and a state-of-the-art administration building during a ribbon cutting ceremony, which marked a major milestone in the SEMHS Modernization Project, on Sept. 26. The event featured heartfelt speeches from EMUHSD Board of Trustees President Ricardo Padilla, Superintendent Dr. Edward Zuniga, SEMHS Principal Dr. Jorge Morales, and Associated Student Body President Gabriela Garcia.
The El Monte Union High School District (EMUHSD) will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of South El Monte High School’s (SEMHS) Modernization Project, which features renovations to the entire campus including redesigned landscaping and outdoor seating, upgraded classrooms, library, and administration building, and state-of-the-art technology. The ribbon-cutting ceremony will feature speeches from SEMHS principal Dr. Jorge Morales, Associated Student Body President Gabriela Garcia, EMUHSD Superintendent Dr. Edward Zuniga, and Board of Trustees President Ricardo Padilla, and a taco celebration, with local dignitaries, school officials, students, and community members in attendance.
