The El Monte Union High School District (EMUHSD) celebrated more than 1,685 seniors from the Class of 2023 during commencement ceremonies as parents, families, teachers, staff, community members and local officials applauded graduates who proudly walked across the stage to receive their high school diplomas on June 7 and 8. The ceremonies featured a special rendition of “Remember Me” from the Pixar Film “Coco” by El Monte High School’s band; heartfelt speeches from South El Monte High School’s 12 valedictorians; videos of Mountain View High School seniors sharing a message to families, their accomplishments throughout their high school careers and favorite memories; singing of the alma mater by Rosemead High School’s choirs; and a series of grand finale fireworks.
El Monte Union High School District’s Class of 2023 boasts a number of high-achieving graduates, who have attained significant accomplishments in academics, leadership and community involvement, exemplifying the District’s commitment to empowering students to be resilient, life-long learners. The El Monte Union graduates selected for this special recognition are: David Granados, Rosemead High School; Yen Amber Duong Le Phan, Mountain View High School; Raven Ma, Arroyo High School; Patrick Lee, El Monte High School; Daisy Garcia, South El Monte High School; and Jose Velazquez-Macias, Fernando R. Ledesma High School.
El Monte Union to Celebrate Graduates with Commencement Ceremonies
El Monte Union High School District will host commencement ceremonies to honor students from the District’s five comprehensive high schools, alternative high school, adult school and transition center. Ceremonies begin on Wednesday, June 7 with the Granada Adult Transition Center, 10 a.m., 3513 Granada Ave., El Monte; followed by Fernando R. Ledesma High School, 5 p.m., 12347 Ramona Blvd., El Monte; El Monte High School, 7 p.m., 3048 Tyler Rd., El Monte; Rosemead High School, 7 p.m., 9063 Mission Dr., Rosemead; and South El Monte High School, 7 p.m., 1001 Durfee Ave., South El Monte. The remaining ceremonies will be held on Thursday, June 8, beginning with Arroyo High School, 7 p.m., at the Rosemead High School Stadium, 9063 Mission Dr., Rosemead; and concluding with Mountain View High School, 7 p.m., at South El Monte High School Stadium, 1001 Durfee Ave., South El Monte.
Ninety-six deserving seniors from El Monte Union High School District were awarded scholarships by the EKG Foundation, in partnership with C.B.M. Towing Inc., for their academic achievement and community involvement at a senior scholarship banquet on May 11. The EKG Foundation, a non-profit organization created in honor of the late Arroyo High School alumnus Edward-Kenneth F. Guerrero, collaborated with C.B.M. Towing Inc., a local towing and recovery company committed to giving back to the community, to recognize and reward the achievements of El Monte Union seniors.
El Monte Union High School District students and community members explored the latest in clean air initiatives and cutting-edge clean energy transportation options during the District's Clean Mobility Info Fair, held in partnership with the California Air Resources Board (CARB), on April 20, 2023. During the event, attendees were treated to information booths on environmental sustainability and tours of the District's new electric school buses and ride-share vehicles. Longo Toyota-Lexus also wowed the crowd with a display of electric and hydrogen-powered cars.
El Monte Union High School District will host a Clean Mobility Info Fair to celebrate Earth Day at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 20 at El Monte High School. The event, which will be held in partnership with the California Air Resources Board (CARB), will allow school community members to learn about clean energy transportation, meet the District’s project partners, engage with high school green club members, view all-electric vehicles, visit exhibit booths and participate in several photo opportunities. Parking will be limited during the event and attendees are encouraged to use clean transportation by carpooling, walking, cycling or taking the bus. El Monte High School is served by Metro Local 287 and the City of El Monte Orange Route. El Monte High School is located at 3048 Tyler Ave., El Monte.
El Monte Union Celebrates Mountain View High Upgrades
Mountain View High School (MVHS) students, families, staff, dignitaries and community members celebrated the newest upgrades to the school’s Cafetorium with a ribbon-cutting ceremony held on March 29. The renovation includes the addition of theater-quality retractable seating, a proscenium wall for performances, and lighting and sound systems. The Cafetorium will provide students with a versatile and flexible space that includes ample seating and an open stage for performances, rallies, ceremonies and more.
Arroyo High School senior Aurora Che has received more than $1,000 in scholarship money from the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), which acknowledged Che for her moving essay that was submitted to the Voice of Democracy audio-essay contest. Che’s essay earned her a trip to Sacramento in January, after she was named the VFW Post 10218 El Monte and VFW District 11 first-place winner. Che, whose family includes veterans of conflicts in Vietnam and Afghanistan, was honored by Post 10218 on March 23 in a special awards ceremony.
El Monte Union students, families and community members gathered for a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the start of construction for South El Monte High School’s modernization project on April 4, which will feature renovations to the entire campus including redesigned landscaping and outdoor seating, upgraded classrooms, library and administration building and state-of-the-art technology. The modernization project will include spaces that promote college and career readiness for all students, prioritizing flexibility to ensure work and learning spaces can be tailored to maximize the capabilities of both teachers and students.
El Monte Union’s Annual Choral Festival Showcases District Singers
Arroyo High School hosted its 19th Annual Invitational Choral Festival on March 28, where 23 choirs from El Monte, including all El Monte City School District choirs, performed individual songs, concluding the festival with a joint performance featuring all the student performers. The festival also showcased choirs from Arroyo High School, including A Capella Choir, Chamber Singers, Treble Choir and Glee Chorus led by choral director Jennifer Stanley.
