Arroyo and Rosemead high schools’ boys’ basketball teams battled through a competitive, 32-team bracket to set up an all-El Monte Union High School District championship game in the CIF Southern Section (CIF-SS) Division 5A finale. It marked the third meeting of the season between the Mission Valley League (MVL) opponents, with both teams splitting the regular season series. In the end, Arroyo High won the hard-fought CIF-SS championship game by a final score of 50-38 in front of a packed crowd at Azusa Pacific University on Feb. 28. Students, families, and alumni from both schools filled the stands, creating an electric atmosphere as fans rallied behind the players throughout the night.
El Monte Union High School District students explored a variety of career opportunities during “A Day With The Trades,” an informational seminar held on Feb. 20, which connected juniors and seniors with industry professionals who shared insights into high-demand careers that offer financial stability and job security without requiring a traditional four-year degree. Students engaged with industry experts at informational tables during the event at Fernando R. Ledesma High School, collecting materials and learning about apprenticeships, certifications, and specialized training in fields such as construction, electrical work, and automotive technology. By engaging directly with professionals, students were able to explore various career pathways and gain insights into the skills and training required for success.
El Monte Union senior Alexander Gonzalez made El Monte High School (EMHS) history with his selection to the prestigious California Choral Directors Association’s (CCDA) All-State Honor Choir, making him the first Lion to ever earn a spot among the top 300 vocal talents in the state. Gonzalez, who began his choir journey as a freshman at EMHS, reached a major milestone in October 2024 by qualifying for the regional choir. At his audition, he distinguished himself as one of the top scorers, earning a spot in the California All-State Choir. During the audition process, the senior impressed judges with a memorized Italian song "Sebben Crudele" and demonstrated his abilities in music reading, scales, aural skills, and sight-reading.
Five El Monte Union High School District seniors will see their dreams of attending top-tier universities come true after being named QuestBridge 2025 National College Match scholars, an honor that comes with early admission to their new schools and full-ride, four-year scholarships worth more than $325,000. Arroyo High School seniors Daniel Vu, Audrey Tang, and Noe Magana will join Rosemead High School seniors Aura Gallardo Muñoz and Carmen Ung as 2025 QuestBridge scholars, with their tickets stamped to attend premier universities across the country, including Pomona College, Stanford, Johns Hopkins, Princeton, and Yale.
Vanessa Salazar has become a cornerstone of Rosemead High School’s (RHS) community, known for her steadfast commitment to ensuring every student has access to essential resources and support while leveraging her skills as a mentor to foster a supportive environment where students are encouraged to be their true selves. In recognition of her dedication and impact on student success, Salazar was honored with the prestigious Bobby Salcedo Esperanza Award by the El Monte Promise Foundation. She received the award during the organization’s annual Tamalada Gala on Dec. 12, highlighting her exceptional contributions to the school community and the well-being of her students. Each year, the award is given to a staff member from neighboring districts who best exemplifies Salcedo’s commitment to education.
The El Monte Union High School District (EMUHSD) will honor the legacies of two brothers and a former EMUHSD Board of Trustees President after voting to rename the newly renovated Fernando R. Ledesma High School (FRLHS) multi-purpose building and gymnasium to the Freddy and Bernie Arteaga and Frank Ogaz Center. The Freddy and Bernie Arteaga and Frank Ogaz Center is the culmination of a shared vision that began decades ago. The Arteaga brothers, who immigrated from Mexico in the 1970s, met with Ogaz, a former EMUHSD Board President, and longtime administrator Fernando R. Ledesma to lay the groundwork for FRLHS, a high school that would go on to help at-promise youths overcome educational obstacles and put them on the path to becoming lifelong learners. Freddy and Bernie Arteaga have dedicated more than 30 years to Fernando R. Ledesma High School, starting when it was known as Valle Lindo Continuation School. Freddy, who spent 13 years as a teacher and counselor, has served as principal since 2006, while Bernie has been a counselor at the school for three decades. Valle Lindo was renamed in 2005 to honor Fernando R. Ledesma, who served the District for nearly 40 years.
Four El Monte Union students have been selected from a competitive pool of applicants to serve on the 2024-25 Los Angeles County Superintendent Dr. Debra Duardo’s Student Advisory Council, providing them with a leadership platform to engage in meaningful conversations on critical issues in public education. Rosemead High School (RHS) senior Alexis DiPrima, junior Van Do, and Mountain View High School (MVHS) junior Alejandro Dena and sophomore Noah Reyes have joined fellow student leaders across Los Angeles County public high schools on the council. The group meets virtually every quarter throughout the 2024-25 school year to discuss and influence decisions on key educational topics, including educational equity, student well-being, and the overall quality of our schools.
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.
