fbpx

Whittier Union High School District

  • Whittier Union Adult School Student Receives Award of Merit for Resilience, Determination

    At a crossroads with her education, California High School Class of 2018 graduate Abigail Villanueva had completed her bachelor’s degree in biological sciences and public health at the University of Southern California, with a goal of enrolling in medical school. But before she could apply to a college, Villanueva needed to gain clinical experience in a medical setting. Taking the advice of a friend and former Whittier Union Adult School (WUAS) student, Villanueva enrolled in the WUAS medical assistant program, a comprehensive two-quarter course where students gain essential clinical and administrative skills through hands-on training that prepares them for real-world scenarios, clinical training, and internships.

    Read More

  • Whittier Union Alumna Seeks to Give Back to Community as Human Rights Advocate

    California High School Class of 2016 graduate Alondra Saldivar has a passion for helping others. From her days leading Cal High Condors into community service projects as Interact Club president to her current role as a law graduate working for the Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project in Arizona, Saldivar has worked tirelessly to champion human rights while inspiring others to become community volunteers. Saldivar’s post-secondary journey has been a whirlwind of education and advocacy, earning a bachelor’s degree in political science at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and a Juris Doctor degree at the University of San Francisco (USF), all while continuing to mentor young students and encourage them to pursue participation in community service clubs.

    Read More

  • Whittier Union Senior Celebrated, Receives $50,000 Edison Scholarship Surprise in Class

    Pioneer High School senior Olivia Jimenez envisions a day when socially assistive robotics will provide equitable and affordable support for children with special needs, helping them with their cognitive development and social skills. Jimenez’s goal is to use the field of mechanical engineering as a template for doing good work. Jimenez became inspired to work in the field of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) after watching her sister, who is autistic, struggle to find the support she needed in under-resourced schools. Jimenez became fascinated with STEM, immersing herself in projects, exploring all possibilities, and searching for answers, a pursuit that led to her becoming Pioneer High’s Science Club president.

    Read More

Whittier Union Puente Students Celebrate Cesar Chavez, Create Service Project

Whittier Union High School District’s Puente Program students celebrated the birthday and legacy of Cesar Chavez by creating community service and awareness art projects, studying activism and learning about the fight for justice from Paul Chavez, son of Cesar Chavez, who joined students for a keynote presentation during an awards ceremony on April 21. The awards ceremony served as the culmination event to celebrate Puente students and their service projects. Paul, who is president of the Cesar Chavez Foundation, shared his experience of growing up within the Farmworkers’ Movement founded by his father, and told stories of how the foundation has helped transform communities from rural to urban areas.

Whittier Union High School Student Receives Honor by Board of Trustees for Academic Excellence, Passion

Whittier High School senior and math enthusiast Joaquin Perkins is a retired National Chess Master, a title he received in 2018 after years of hard work and multiple national champion titles – the first of which he earned at age six. Perkins is also a high-achieving scholar with a 4.3 GPA and will graduate with a total of 389 credits – far exceeding the required 220 credits. For his academic excellence, passion and determination, Perkins received an Award of Merit from the Whittier Union Board of Trustees during its April 12 Board meeting. In the fall, Joaquin will attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he will continue his remarkable academic journey as he majors in mathematics with an emphasis in number theory.

Whittier Union Recognizes Frontier High School History Educator as 2022-23 Teacher of the Year

Whittier Union High School District has named Frontier High School social studies teacher Mary Ann Fajardo as its 2022-23 teacher of the year, honoring the instructor who is beloved and respected by students and peers for her humility, love of learning and willingness to share her knowledge and research. Fajardo has proven to be an indispensable member of the Frontier High faculty, promoting diversity and inclusion in her curriculum and engaging her students with rich experiences. Fajardo, who teaches U.S. and World History, Career Studies and Chicano Studies, is part of the Whittier Union team that developed the District’s Ethnic Studies curriculum. She is in her ninth year at Frontier High.

Santa Fe High School Stages ‘Every 15 Minutes,’ Displays Dangers of Impaired Driving

Students from Santa Fe High School witnessed the real-life consequences of driving under the influence during the school’s “Every 15 Minutes” program, which featured a simulated car crash that claimed the lives of their peers, an overnight retreat, and a mock funeral. The event, held April 6-7, included a pre-recorded 9-1-1 call that triggered an emergency response by local law enforcement agencies, firefighters and paramedics. “Every 15 Minutes” is a national campaign which focuses on high school junior and seniors, with a goal of challenging students to consider the dangers of drunk driving. The two-day program was held in partnership with the City of Santa Fe Springs; participants included the Whittier Police Department, Santa Fe Springs Fire Rescue, Mercy Air and the California Highway Patrol.

‘Every 15 Minutes’ Program to Highlight Dangers of Drunk Driving to Whittier Union High School Students

Santa Fe High School will host the “Every 15 Minutes” program, a two-day event featuring a simulated car crash, rescue efforts and the dramatized deaths of students, as well as a mock funeral to emphasize the dangers of operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The event will take place on Wednesday, April 6 and Thursday, April 7 at 11 a.m. at Santa Fe High School, 10400 S. Orr & Day Road, Santa Fe Springs. The program will include a simulated live-action auto crash in front of the school, along with a pre-recorded 911 call which will trigger emergency response by local law enforcement agencies, firefighters, paramedics and the coroner. The event will conclude with a mock funeral school assembly the following day, featuring a video of the previous day’s event. Media contact: Andrea Garcia, 909-447-2403

Whittier Union Senior Named 2022 Dell Scholar, Receives $20,000 Scholarship

Pioneer High School senior Oscar Antonio has been honored as a 2022 Dell Scholar by the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation, an award that comes with a $20,000 scholarship spread over four years, textbook credit, and a laptop to support Antonio as he pursues his post-secondary education goals. Antonio, a high-achieving student with a 4.3 GPA and Summa Cum Laude honor, will also have access to Dell Scholars Connect, a mentoring program that offers academic support from other scholarship recipients. Upon graduating high school, Antonio hopes to attend either California State University, Los Angeles, the University of La Verne or California State University, Long Beach and obtain a degree in accounting.

Whittier Union Adult School ESL Students Organize Relief Drive

Whittier Union Adult School ESL students have responded to the humanitarian crisis in Europe by organizing a Ukrainian Relief drive, collecting socks, clothes, blankets, toys, personal hygiene items, baby items, disposable tableware and non-perishable food to assist the millions of refugees displaced from their homes. The donation drive has set in motion a passionate response among the adult school students, who have thus far amassed enough supplies to fill five truckloads. In addition to adult school students, donations have come from Frontier and Sierra Vista high school students, as well as District office employees who share the United Sierra Education Center complex.

Whittier Union Adult School Graduate Lands Position at District

At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Renan Mota da Silva enrolled in Whittier Union Adult School’s English as a Second Language (ESL) online program, hoping to improve his language skills. A former special education teacher in Brazil, Mota de Silva longed to become a credentialed teacher in the U.S. Today, Mota de Silva is employed as an Instructional Vocational Specialist in the Transition Program at Whittier Union. His new position allows him to apply his experience as a special education teacher in Brazil and help Whittier Union transition students prepare for careers, find potential job sites, and learn to live independently.

Whittier Union Independent Study Student Recognized by Board of Trustees for Resilience, Determination

Sierra Vista High School Class of 2022 graduate Julio Zermeno has been recognized with an Award of Merit by the Whittier Union Board of Trustees for his resolve, effective use of time and determination. When Zermeno was a junior at Pioneer High School, he was reeling academically due to COVID-related school closures and the additional responsibilities of caring for his ailing father. Behind in school credits, Zermeno transferred to Sierra Vista High School, finding its independent study program ideal for dealing with the peaks and valleys of his life. As a mid-year graduate, Zermeno remains connected to Sierra Vista, taking advantage of the school’s new College and Career Center and exploring the variety of career pathways at local community colleges.

Whittier Union Names New Administrators to Superintendent Executive Cabinet

The Whittier Union Board of Trustees has announced that two longtime administrators will advance into new positions in the Superintendent’s Executive Cabinet. Assistant Superintendent of Business Services Kevin Jamero will also serve as Deputy Superintendent and Pioneer High School Principal Lilia Bozigian will become Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services. The Board of Trustees announced the advancements during its March 8 Board meeting. In February, the Board appointed Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services Dr. Monica Oviedo to replace Superintendent Martin J. Plourde, who is retiring in June. Dr. Oviedo, Jamero and Bozigian will step into their new roles at the end of the school year.