Fontana Unified families were greeted with cheerful holiday decorations and festively dressed volunteers, the melodies of classic holiday music and the smell of fresh Christmas trees as they collected gifts during the District’s 23rd annual Fontana Santas toy distribution. The socially distanced drive-thru event, held Dec. 19 at the District Office, bestowed families in need from Fontana Unified’s elementary schools with age-appropriate gifts, supplies for a holiday dinner, stuffed stockings and more. Middle- and high-school families received gifts earlier in the week.
Fontana Middle School math teacher Yesenia Escobar was recently named a UC Davis Center for Integrated Computing and STEM Education (C-STEM) 2020 Teacher of the Year, joining Fontana Unified Coordinator of Secondary Mathematics Kristen Sandler, who was named a UC Davis C-STEM 2020 Administrator of the Year. The awards recognize contributions by educators, schools and districts for providing excellent integrated computing and STEM education for K-12 students throughout the year and inspiring students to pursue careers and post-secondary study in C-STEM fields. Sandler and Escobar received their awards during the 10th annual UC Davis/C-STEM Conference, held Dec. 7-10, where they also served as a moderator and panelist, respectively.
Fontana High School has been designated as a Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (MCJROTC) Naval Honor School for the 14th time, recognizing the program’s continued legacy of excellence and success in cultivating young leaders. Awarded by the Commanding General of the Marine Corps Training and Education Command, the 2019-20 Naval Honor School distinction celebrates top-performing MCJROTC programs in the U.S.
Teacher recipient for bringing joy to the hearts of her graduating seniors, just one of 20 teachers nationwide to receive the award. Rojas, who hand-delivered chocolate treats and gift bags to her students after school closures disrupted their traditional prom and graduation activities, accepted her award via Zoom conference on Nov. 20, receiving a $5,000 stipend to spend on school supplies.
Five Fontana Unified seniors with dreams of helping others and uplifting communities will attend elite colleges and universities across the country, funded by full-ride QuestBridge National College Match scholarships. Fontana High School seniors Vanessa Gutierrez and Fatima Kamara matched with Scripps College and Yale University, respectively; Kaiser High School seniors David Aguilar and Marco Garcia received scholarships to Northwestern University and University of Pennsylvania, respectively; and Jurupa Hills High senior John Nino Requieron matched with Boston College. Fontana Unified’s QuestBridge Scholars are among 1,464 students who matched with a QuestBridge college partner this year, receiving early admission and four-year scholarships that cover the full cost of attendance.
Harnessing the power of film and committed to helping the mental health and well-being of their classmates and community, seven Fontana Unified film production students have been recognized for excellence in the Directing Change Film Project. Jurupa Hills High School seniors Gustavo Lopez, Christian Guerrero, Caleb Oard, Lyza Garay and juniors Brian Moreno and Alexzander Zavala, along with Summit High School senior Audrey Juarez, received honors for 60-second public service announcements touching on subjects such as social distancing, immigration rights, racism, voting and keeping a healthy daily outlook. The Directing Change Film Project is a monthly contest with two categories for high school students; The Hope & Justice category is an open submission for any film topic that encompasses social justice and equal rights issues, and the Monthly Prompt category asks for films concentrating on a single subject.
Two high-achieving Summit High School seniors are one step closer to earning a full-ride scholarship to an elite college or university after being named QuestBridge National College Match Scholarship finalists. Gabriel Rodriguez Cortez and Joleen Wardeh are among nearly 7,000 students across the United States chosen as finalists, including nine additional Fontana Unified seniors. Finalists are considered for early admission and full scholarships from QuestBridge college partners.
Fontana Unified High School Honored for Financial Aid Application Rates
Jurupa Hills High School was celebrated as a statewide winner during the second annual California College Affordability Summit on Nov. 17, recognizing its college-going culture and student support resources. For the second year in a row, Jurupa Hills High School was feted as one of the top 24 schools with the highest financial aid application completion rates in the state. The virtual summit brought together hundreds of educators, city and state officials, and legislators from across the country to highlight the importance of financial aid and its ability to increase college access, enrollment and persistence.
Cheered on by her parents and four older siblings dressed in green and white, Fontana High School senior Victoria Vasquez signed her letter of intent to continue her softball career and education at Utah Valley University. Vasquez has played several sports as a Fontana High School Steeler – including basketball, soccer and volleyball – but softball has been her first love since she picked up a glove at age 7. Her dedication to the sport has culminated in an athletic scholarship that will fund her pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. P
Fontana Unified Kicks Off ‘Fontana Santas’ Toy Drive
Fontana Unified has kicked off its 23rd annual Fontana Santas Toy Drive, which collects gifts and donations to provide holidays gifts to FUSD students in need. The annual toy drive is a joint effort by Fontana Unified, Fontana School Police, Fontana Teachers Association, United Steelworkers Local 8599, Fontana Foundation of Hope, Fontana School Police Officers Association and Fontana Management Association. Donations may be dropped off at the Fontana School Police Department, 9680 Citrus Ave., Building 9, Fontana.
