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Whittier Union High School District

  • Whittier Union Adult School Plumbing Program Success Recognized by South Bay Workforce

    The Whittier Union Adult School’s (WUAS) Plumbing 1 class has served as a pipeline of employment since its inception in 2022, with the career technical education (CTE) course providing students with expert guidance that emphasizes employability, efficiency, accuracy, and relationship-building. Preparing the next generation of plumbers, the class currently has an 80% employment rate. The rapid success of the program has been recognized by the South Bay Workforce Investment Board (SBWIB), who awarded WUAS with its 2025 Outstanding Program Performance Award. The school will receive its award at SBWIB’s 30th Annual Awards Ceremony, held Oct. 30 at the Torrance Marriott South Bay.

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  • Whittier Union Celebrates Community, Student Success at Inaugural State of the District Event

    Whittier Union High School District spotlighted its success in preparing students for bright futures during its inaugural State of the District event on Oct. 1, engaging nearly 200 community members, elected officials, students, families, and staff with a catered dinner reception, live student performances, and a program that emphasized strong community partnerships and a deep commitment to academic excellence. The event, held at California High School and generously sponsored by Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn, was attended by state leaders such as Senator Bob Archuleta and Assemblywoman Blanca Pacheco. Local leaders in attendance included Whittier Mayor Joe Vinatieri, Whittier City Councilmembers Cathy Warner and Mary Ann Pacheco, Whittier City Manager Conal McNamara, Santa Fe Springs Mayor Bill Rounds, Norwalk Councilmember Ana Valencia, and La Mirada City Councilmember Michelle Velasquez Bean.

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  • Whittier Union Senior Receives Award of Merit for Leadership, Commitment to Mental Wellness

    Pioneer High School senior Nydia Palacios is known as a natural leader and an academic role model who loves to challenge herself, acquiring both high school and college credits at a lightning pace while enjoying as many extracurricular activities as she can fit into one day. Palacios, who boasts a 4.05 GPA, entered her senior year with 286 credits, which far exceeds the traditional 220 credits needed to graduate. Palacios has also gotten a start on higher education, having completed seven community college dual enrollment courses, in addition to her myriad campus leadership positions and musical and athletic pursuits as a member of the PHS Jazz Band, track & field, and girl’s cross-country teams. Palacios’ love of volunteering has seen her devote countless hours to help serve those in need, whether she is engaging in afterschool tutoring for the Boys and Girls Club, or serving as a Youth Leader for her church. Palacios has also emerged as a campus leader. She is currently president of Pioneer’s PTSA Club and as a junior was vice president of the school site council.

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Whittier Union High School Students Get Insight to Dangers of Driving During ‘Every 15 Minutes’ Program

Whittier Union High School District’s Pioneer High School will host an “Every 15 Minutes” program, a two-day event featuring a simulated car crash, rescue efforts and the dramatized deaths of students. The program also consists of a mock funeral that aims to emphasize the dangers of operating a vehicle while under the influence. “Every 15 Minutes” is a national campaign which focuses on high school juniors and seniors and aims to challenge students to think about the dangers of drunken driving. The two-day program will take place at 11 a.m. on Monday, April 3 and Tuesday, April 4 at Pioneer High School, 10800 Benavon St., Whittier.

Whittier Union Student Advisory Council Visits State Capitol

The Whittier Union Student Advisory Council, joined by Superintendent Dr. Monica Oviedo and Assistant Superintendent Ann Fitzgerald, met with Senator Bob Archuleta, Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, Assemblywoman Blanca Pacheco and Assemblywoman Lisa Calderon during a Meet and Greet Event at the State Capitol on March 15. Students also received certificates of recognition from Speaker Rendon and participated in a tour of the Capitol hosted by Senator Archuleta’s office.

Whittier Union Senior Named Boys & Girls Club of Whittier/Pico Rivera 2023 Youth of the Year

Pioneer High School senior Jeremiah Parra was struggling to find his footing at school after suffering through the loss of both of his parents. Parra’s life changed when he first arrived at the Boys and Girls Club of Whittier/Pico Rivera. There, Parra rediscovered his love of learning, eventually joining the Club’s Leader in Training program as a teen tutor. For his ability to overcome adversity and commitment to bettering the lives of others, Parra was named the Boys & Girls Club of Whittier/Pico Rivera’s 2023 Youth of the Year. Parra received a trophy and certificate of recognition at the Youth of the Year presentation in early 2023.

Whittier Union Receives $750,000 from U.S. Rep. Linda Sánchez for SEC Athletic Field Renovation

U.S. Rep. Linda Sánchez delivered a $750,000 check to the City of Whittier and the Whittier Union High School District, which will help transform the athletic fields at Sierra Education Center (SEC) into a community recreation space that can be used for youth sports programs and serve more than 2,000 young people annually. Sánchez, who represents the 38th District, was joined by Superintendent Dr. Monica Oviedo, Board President Jaime Lopez, Whittier Mayor Joe Vinatieri and Whittier City Manager Brian Saeki for a ceremony at SEC on March 14.

Whittier Union Senior Recognized for Leadership, Academics

La Serna High School senior Ivonne Perez recognized the importance of being a leader and acquiring an education early in her life. Growing up in a single-parent household, Perez helped raise her two younger siblings, even as she pursued her dream career as an aerospace engineer. As a La Serna High freshman, Perez joined the college prep program Puente, which greatly enhanced her academic and leadership skills. As Perez established herself as a mentor willing to sacrifice personal time to help her classmates, she developed into one of La Serna’s top students. For her leadership skills and academic achievements, Perez was recognized by the Whittier Union Board of Trustees with an Award of Merit during its March 14 Board meeting.

Whittier Union Students Receive Insight into Healthy Relationships

United Sierra Education Center (USEC) and Project Sister Family Services partnered to recognize Teen Dating and Awareness Month in February, providing USEC students with a series of educational workshops that provided valuable resources on building healthy relationships. A longtime partner of the USEC, Project Sister provides crisis intervention services, prevention education programs, professional counseling and support groups. This month’s workshops educated students on the importance of consent, boundaries and healthy relationships.

Whittier Union Cheer Team Takes First Place at USA Nationals

California High School’s junior varsity (JV) and varsity Show Cheer Non-Tumbling teams, along with the Song/Pom Novice JV and varsity teams, advanced to the United Spirit Association (USA) Nationals competition at the end of February, showcasing their vast talent, dedication and prowess. Varsity Show Cheer and JV Song put on thrilling performances and both teams clinched first place during the competition. The teams also took home first place during USA Regionals in January, giving the athletes the confidence to bring their routines to the next level.

Whittier Union Basketball Team Makes First Appearance in CIF Finals

The La Serna High School Lancer boys basketball team completed a whirlwind season which saw them go undefeated in Del Rio League play, then battle their way to their first-ever CIF Southern Section Division 3AA championship game on Feb. 25. Though the Lancers came up just short of winning the CIF title, they established a new team record with 27 wins and thrilled their fans with their hard-fought triumphs, including an exhilarating 77-75 overtime quarterfinal win over Hillcrest High School, which was followed by a 41-38 victory over Camarillo High School in the semifinals.

Whittier Union High School Student Receives Award of Merit for Advocacy of Underrepresented Students

Whittier High School senior Adria Marin likes to take the initiative. Whether she is volunteering for a nonprofit organization, advocating for underrepresented students, creating a photography portfolio or building a pathway to higher education, Marin always does her research, comes prepared and leaves nothing to chance. Marin, who has a 4.4 GPA, has received early acceptance to Barnard College in New York City – one of the prestigious “Seven Sisters” universities – where she plans to study political science and French, with a career focus on international relations. For her leadership and devotion to advocacy, Marin was presented with an Award of Merit by the Whittier Union Board of Trustees during a Feb. 14 Board meeting.

Whittier Union High School Basketball Team Advances to CIF Finals

The La Serna High School Lancer boys’ varsity basketball team are looking to cap off a dream season with a championship when they take on St. Pius X-St. Matthias Academy in the CIF Division 3AA Finals at noon on Saturday, Feb. 25 at Colony High School. La Serna advanced to the finals after defeating Camarillo High School 41-38 in a semifinal match on Feb. 17. La Serna is riding a hot streak, having won 16 of its last 17 games. Colony High School is located at 3850 E. Riverside Dr., Ontario.