Whittier Union Seniors See College Dreams Come True as Dell Scholars
Pioneer High School seniors Ashley Cortes, Sara Munoz and Wendy Zaragoza have spent countless long nights studying and dreaming of attending an elite university – a dream that has come true after all three were named 2023 Dell Scholarship winners by the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation. Cortes, Munoz and Zaragoza will each receive $20,000 spread out over the course of several years. All three students have honed their skills in Pioneer’s college-prep elective AVID, which provides instruction and guidance for underrepresented students and first-generation college-goers and puts them on the path to succeed in college and career.
Pioneer High School students were witness to the real-life consequences of impaired driving during the “Every 15 Minutes” program, a two-day event held April 3-4 that included a simulated live-action car crash, rescue efforts, the dramatized death of students, an overnight retreat and a mock funeral. “Every 15 Minutes” is a national campaign focused on high school juniors and seniors that aims to challenge students to think about the dangers of drunken driving. The campaign encourages students to think about the impact that their decisions can have on their family, friends and community.
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 and many cousins, tutoring them and serving as a role model, even as she took on the most challenging and rigorous courses in pursuit of her dream career as an aerospace engineer. As a La Serna High freshman, Perez joined Puente, a four-year accelerated college prep program that has greatly enhanced Perez’s academic and leadership skills. As Perez established herself as a mentor who is willing to sacrifice personal time to help her classmates, she developed into one of La Serna’s top students, earning the distinction of summa cum laude. 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 Adult School ESL Program Prepares Students for Careers
The Whittier Union Adult School has eliminated barriers to success for its English as a Second Language (ESL) students and received the California Adult Education Program’s Model Program Award of Distinction for its innovation and preparation of ESL students for lifelong careers. Over the past couple of years, the Adult School restructured its ESL program to focus on job readiness and occupational skills rather than solely teaching language. One goal was to increase ESL students’ involvement in career technical education courses and create pathways that were more aligned with the schedules and interests of ESL students.
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.
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.
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.
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.
