For the second consecutive year, El Monte Union High School District (EMUHSD) has been selected as a San Gabriel Valley Tribune Readers’ Choice Top Three School District, reflecting the District’s unwavering commitment to academic success in the classroom and providing healthier outcomes for the communities it serves. El Monte Union, which was also cited in the Tribune’s 2023 Readers’ Choice poll, has experienced another banner year, as it works toward maintaining positive school culture and academic rigor for its students by providing career technical education pathways and innovative technology, as well as social and emotional support through its wellness centers.
El Monte Union Teacher Honored for Excellence in Education
Sonia Ayala, a dedicated science teacher and athletic director at South El Monte High School, has been recognized by Assemblymember Lisa Calderon as one of the 56th District's 2024 Educators of Distinction. This prestigious award, presented in tandem with Teacher Appreciation Month, highlights Ayala's exceptional dedication for advancing excellence in education and her unwavering commitment to student success.
El Monte Union Graduate Selected as Dell Scholar Recipient
Mountain View High School Class of 2024 graduate Breanna Montoya has been named a 2024 Michael & Susan Dell Foundation Scholar, which includes a $20,000 scholarship to support her higher education goals. Montoya will attend UCLA and pursue a degree in neuroscience. Montoya has demonstrated her commitment to education through academic achievements and leadership roles, including taking part in Mountain View's Associated Student Body, the Class of 2024 Club presidency, a U.S. Bank internship, the Teacher Preparation Academy, and the Pasadena City College Upward Bound Math-Science program.
El Monte Union Grad Earns Posse Scholarship to Middlebury College
Rosemead High School Class of 2024 graduate Kyan Chau has earned a full-ride Posse Scholarship, helping him to attend Middlebury College in Vermont, where he will study medicine and neuroscience. Chau founded Rosemead High’s Medical Club, aiming to increase diversity in the medical field. Chau has also actively engaged in internships, partnerships, and volunteer opportunities with City of Hope, Stanford Neuroscience Journal Club, and the Huntington Hospital Emergency Department. Chau hopes to become a neurosurgeon and establish his own lab to design innovative therapies that will improve the daily lives of his patients. The Posse Scholarship, awarded for extraordinary leadership potential, provides full-tuition scholarships for students to pursue their academic goals at top colleges and universities nationwide.
El Monte Union celebrated the accomplishments of its distinguished Class of 2024 with lively and emotional commencement ceremonies held on June 5, including ceremonies at Mountain View and Arroyo high schools that were staged in newly renovated state-of-the-art stadiums. The festivities began with an early morning commencement for the Granada Adult Transition Center and a late afternoon ceremony for Fernando R. Ledesma High School, followed by evening ceremonies for South El Monte, Rosemead, El Monte, Mountain View and Arroyo high schools. El Monte Union celebrated more than 1,000 graduates with choir performances, video recaps, fireworks, and the rousing cheers of family and friends.
The El Monte Union High School District (EMUHSD) celebrated a momentous occasion with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 30, marking the grand opening of Mountain View High School’s (MVHS) new state-of-the-art stadium, which includes a new rubberized track and field, modern bleachers, concession stands, restrooms, upgraded parking facilities, and an impressive grand entrance. Local dignitaries, school officials, students, alumni, and community members gathered to witness this milestone. The celebration featured student performances, honorary speeches, stadium tours, student-athlete drill demonstrations, and complimentary food and refreshments. Key speakers included MVHS Principal Jose Bañas, Associated Student Body (ASB) President and senior Jacqueline Medina, Superintendent Dr. Edward Zuniga, and Board President Ricardo Padilla, who highlighted the stadium's role in promoting healthy living, enhancing school spirit, and serving as a community hub.
Nathalie Trigo Lopez has overcome numerous obstacles during her four years at El Monte High School (EMHS), but she will soon embark on a new, academic journey in pursuit of her career goals after her hard work and determination earned her a full-ride scholarship to the prestigious Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. Trigo Lopez came to the United States from Guadalajara, Mexico as a freshman in 2020 – at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic – without speaking any English. Since leaving her childhood home four years ago, she has not only mastered a new language but excelled academically, demonstrating a level of dedication and perseverance that has earned her a coveted spot at Georgetown.
El Monte Union to Celebrate Graduates with Commencement Ceremonies
El Monte Union High School District will host commencement ceremonies to honor its students from the District’s five comprehensive high schools, alternative high school, and transition center, with each graduation to be held on Wednesday, June 5. Granada Adult Transition Center will hold its graduation at 10 a.m. on its campus, 3513 Granada Ave., El Monte; Fernando R. Ledesma High School will hold an on-campus ceremony at 5 p.m., at 12347 Ramona Blvd., El Monte. The remaining schools will all host 7 p.m. ceremonies in their respective stadiums: South El Monte High School at 1001 Durfee Ave., South El Monte; El Monte High School at 3048 Tyler Ave., El Monte; Rosemead High School at 9063 Mission Dr., Rosemead; Arroyo High School at 4921 Cedar Ave., El Monte; and Mountain View High School at 2900 Parkway Dr., El Monte.
Arroyo High School (AHS) welcomed more than 300 attendees to its ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 23, marking the grand opening of its long-awaited Stadium Project and showcasing El Monte Union High School District’s (EMUHSD) dedication to fostering healthy living and school spirit within the community. Students, parents, families, community members, administration, local dignitaries, and elected officials gathered at Arroyo High to celebrate the completion of a state-of-the-art facility featuring a high-performance rubberized track and field, new scoreboard and concession stands, revamped visitor bleachers, and a grand stadium entrance. The AHS Stadium will serve as a vibrant hub for physical fitness activities, athletic events, health and wellness instruction, student performances, and school community gatherings.
50 El Monte Union Seniors Receive Scholarships from Local Businesses
It was a night of celebration and recognition as 50 deserving El Monte Union seniors were honored with scholarships by the EKG Foundation, in partnership with C.B.M. Towing Inc., during a spirited senior scholarship banquet held on May 16. The EKG Foundation honors the enduring legacy of Edward-Kenneth F. Guerrero, an esteemed alumnus of Arroyo High School, whose profound impact on the El Monte community continues to resonate. The foundation’s merit-based scholarship program is offered to graduating seniors from diverse backgrounds who attend one of the six El Monte Union high schools. Each student received a $400 award.
