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Whittier Union High School District

  • Whittier Union Students Receive Powerful Lesson During DUI Car Crash Simulation

    Pioneer High School students received an opportunity to see how the real-life consequences of driving drunk, distracted, or impaired can have devastating and tragic results for their friends, family, and community during an “Every 15 Minutes” demonstration held in front of the school on March 18. The staged simulation for Pioneer High juniors and seniors – featuring the participation of the California Highway Patrol (CHP), Los Angeles County Sheriff, City of Whittier Police Dept., Los Angeles County Fire Dept., first responders, and Funeraria de Angel Pico Rivera mortuary – took the students through an entire DUI car crash scenario – the initial 911 call, the rescue of victims, a sobriety test, and the subsequent arrest of the driver.

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  • California High School Senior Recovers from Debilitating Illness, Receives Award of Merit

    As an incoming freshman, California High School senior Viridian “Viv” Gonzalez got off to a flying start, earning straight A’s in her first semester, with a challenging schedule that included several Honors classes. Her future looked bright; then calamity struck. Gonzalez fell ill during her second semester and was hospitalized for months, missing a considerable amount of school. When Gonzalez returned to Cal High for her sophomore year, she was still very weak and wheelchair bound but determined to pick up where she left off. Enrolling in Cal High’s Health Academy pathway and with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) to guide her, Gonzalez persevered despite her limited mobility, excelling in all her classes and slowly regaining her health. As a senior with a 3.5 GPA and improved health, Gonzalez said she is looking forward to taking the Certified Nurse’s Assistant (CNA) exam this spring.

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  • Pioneer High Football Makes History with CIF Titles, Launches Fundraiser for Championship Rings

    The Pioneer High School football team made history in the fall 2024 season, taking home the school’s first-ever CIF Southern Section (CIF-SS) title, followed by a regional title – an achievement that has ignited school spirit and set the stage for future generations of athletic excellence. While the team fell to Balboa High School in the CIF State Championship game on Dec. 14, their journey united the school and community in a milestone season. To commemorate this achievement, Pioneer High’s football team is raising funds for championship rings, a lasting tribute to their historic season. Contributions can be made through the school’s dedicated fundraising page or directly at Pioneer’s Business & Activities Office.

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Whittier Union High School District to Celebrate Class of 2023 Scholars with Stadium Commencement Ceremonies

Students from the Whittier Union High School District’s five comprehensive high schools, two alternative high schools and adult school will celebrate the conclusion of their academic journeys during stadium commencement ceremonies beginning at 6 p.m. Ceremonies will be held at the District’s two stadiums: Sandra Sanchez Thorstenson Stadium at California High School, 9800 Mills Ave., Whittier, and Dick Torres Memorial Stadium at Pioneer High School, 10800 Benavon St., Whittier. Ceremonies begin on Monday, June 5, with the United Sierra Education Center, which includes Frontier High School, Sierra Vista High School and the Whittier Union Adult School, at Thorstenson Stadium; and Santa Fe High School, at Torres Stadium. Tuesday, June 6 will have ceremonies for California High School at Thorstenson Stadium and Whittier High School at Torres Stadium. The ceremonies conclude on Wednesday, June 7 with La Serna High School at Thorstenson Stadium and Pioneer High School at Torres Stadium.

Santa Fe High School Educator Honored as Whittier Union High School District’s 2023 Teacher of the Year

There are few things that Santa Fe High School architectural design teacher Mike Griffie enjoys more than a good tailgate party and seeing his community come together to share a hamburger or hotdog before a home football game. As Santa Fe’s football announcer, Griffie revels in the opportunity to be the tight-knit school’s No. 1 booster. Griffie, who has been at Santa Fe High for 30 years and is the director of the school’s Mechanical and Architectural Drafting (MAD) Academy, is fully committed to student achievement, whether by encouraging students to pursue careers in fields that interest them or by helping struggling students get back on track for graduation. For his dedication and generosity, Griffie was named Whittier Union’s 2023 Teacher of the Year. The Whittier Union Board of Trustees presented Griffie with his award during the May 9 Board meeting.

Whittier Union High School District Announces Provisional Appointment to Fill Board Vacancy Following Retirement of Dr. Ralph S. Pacheco

The Whittier Union High School District Board of Trustees will interview six eligible candidates to fill the vacancy for the Trustee Area 3 seat, following Dr. Ralph S. Pacheco’s retirement from the Board on July 7, 2023. The candidates, all from Santa Fe Springs and Norwalk, will participate in a candidate orientation during a Special Board Meeting beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday, June 10 at the District Board Room, 9401 S. Painter Ave., Whittier. Following the orientation, candidates will be interviewed during open session. At the conclusion of the interviews, the Board will deliberate during open session and vote to appoint a provisional seat to the Whittier Union Board of Trustees.

High-Achieving Whittier Union Seniors Receive Prestigious Scholarships, Commit to Pursuing Careers in Service

Santa Fe High School seniors Karina Ramirez and Alexis Martinez are on the path to making a difference in the world, aided by the prestigious Gates and Destiny scholarships that will enable them to attend top universities in the fall and pursue careers in service. Out of 51,000 applicants, Ramirez is among the 750 exceptional individuals awarded the Gates Scholarship, a distinction that will enable her to attend UCLA and will offset tuition costs that are not already covered by financial aid. Ramirez will travel to Florida this summer to be recognized alongside other scholarship winners during a special ceremony held by Bill Gates.

Whittier Union Performing Arts Center Poised to Become Jewel of the Community

Whitter Union High School District is putting the finishing touches on the design phase of a new Performing Arts Center (PAC) that will become the cornerstone of the District’s visual and performing arts programs, providing a state-of-the-art venue that will be available for all schools within the District to stage theatrical play, live music shows and other special events. The 450-seat dual-level PAC, which is poised to become a jewel of the community, will be located at the District’s United Sierra Education Center. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2024 with an estimated December 2025 completion date. A second phase of renovations will transform the remaining green space into recreation areas that can by used for youth sports programs and serve more than 2,000 people.

Whittier Union Seniors See College Dreams Come True as Dell Scholars, Receive $20,000 Scholarship

Pioneer High School seniors Ashley Cortes, Sara Munoz and Wendy Zaragoza and Santa Fe High School senior Muhammad Shakeel have spent countless long nights studying and dreaming of attending an elite university – a dream that has come true after all four were named 2023 Dell Scholarship winners by the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation. All four students will receive a $20,000 scholarship spread out over the course of several years, $2,000 in additional money for textbooks and other expenses, and a Dell laptop. They will also have access to exclusive support services, including the Scholars Resource Network, which connects students and their families with resources to deal with academic, personal and life issues. Cortes, Munoz and Zaragoza have each honed their skills in Pioneer’s college-prep elective Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID), which provides instruction and guidance for underrepresented students and first-generation college-goers.

Whittier Union’s Longest-Standing Board Member Announces Retirement After 32 Years of Dedicated Service

Dr. Ralph S. Pacheco, the longest-standing member of the Whittier Union High School District Board of Trustees, has informally announced his retirement from the Board, culminating his 32 years of unwavering commitment and service to the District. Dr. Pacheco, who currently serves as the Board Vice President, made the announcement to his colleagues and community members during an April 11 Board meeting. He will officially retire from the Board of Trustees effective July 7, 2023. His current term runs through November 2024.

Whittier Union Cardinal Academy of Technology Students Receive Hands-on Experience, Prepare for Careers in STEAM

The 2022-23 school year has seen the long-awaited rollout of Whittier High School’s Cardinal Academy of Technology (CAT), a four-year engineering pathway that provides students with a comprehensive overview of science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM) concepts and sets them on course for careers in STEAM-related fields. CAT combines the best of two programs offered in previous years at Whittier High – the Cardinal Computer Academy and the STEM Academy, which centered on computer information technology and engineering – and is updated to provide students with the tools they need to navigate the rapidly expanding STEM job market. CAT has proven to be very popular in its first year, with 80 freshmen enrolled in the first-year intro class. The pathway was created by Whittier High teachers Daniel Oliver and Steve Swanson, who developed the program and curriculum after seeking student input on what they wanted from a tech-based engineering pathway.

Whittier Union Students to Perform at Annual Honor Band Concert

Sixty-five of the top instrumental music students from all five of the Whittier Union High School District’s comprehensive high schools will take to the stage during the District’s annual Honor Band Concert at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 21. The concert will take place at the Vic Lopez Auditorium, 12417 Philadelphia St, Whittier. Students will be under the baton of guest conductor Anthony Parnther, who has forged a career that melds his love for the music of all genres with his prowess as a conductor, bassoonist, opera singer, producer, storyteller, comedian, and activist. The District’s Honor Band represents the best instrumental music students in the District who all had to put their skills to the test and pass an audition to be part of the prestigious ensemble.

Whittier Union High School Senior Honored with Award of Merit for Resilience, Building Campus Culture

Santa Fe High School senior and student leader Christian Sanchez has become a prominent figure on campus for his tenacity and commitment to fostering a sense of community amongst his peers, as well as his unwavering dedication to creating unforgettable experiences for those around him. As a member of Santa Fe High School’s Associated Student Body (ASB), Sanchez's contributions to the school's social and academic life are undeniable, as he sometimes spends his weekends tirelessly preparing for student activities and assemblies. While juggling his ASB responsibilities, Sanchez has managed to complete 25 honors and Advanced Placement credits in the span of three semesters. For his motivation to be a student leader and his numerous academic achievements, Sanchez was recognized by the Whittier Union Board of Trustees with an Award of Merit during its April 11 Board meeting.