Pioneer High School senior Lucas Lopez has had to endure many challenges in his education. As a member of a military family, he spent years traveling the country, bouncing from school to school; as the brother of family members who have been diagnosed with a rare genetic condition, he has mourned siblings who have passed away at a young age. Through it all, Lopez has found a home at Pioneer High and a family of friends in the Titan band, where he has played trumpet since joining as a freshman. Academically, Lopez has challenged himself with honors and Advanced Placement classes, maintaining a 3.25 GPA, and plans to study music composition and music therapy in college. For overcoming obstacles in his education and serving as a role model for others, Lopez was recognized with an Award of Merit by the Whittier Union Board of Trustees during its Jan. 17 Board meeting.
Whittier Union French Teacher Receives Recognition of Merit
Santa Fe High School students have been saying “Oui, j'aime ça!” (“Yes, I love it!”) in world language teacher Isabelle Teraoka’s French class for more than 15 years, immersing themselves in French culture while channeling the Belgium native’s passion for language, words and sound. For her outstanding leadership and excellence in teaching and service, the American Association of Teachers of French (AATF) Southern California chapter has awarded Teraoka its 2022 Recognition of Merit in French Education. Teraoka received her award at the AATF end-of-year dinner at TAIX restaurant in Los Angeles in December 2022. Teraoka teaches four sections of French, Advanced Placement French and Spanish. She also encourages her students to attend extracurricular events, such as Whittier College’s annual French play and the American French Film Festival in Los Angeles.
Santa Fe High School students have been saying “Oui, j'aime ça!” (“Yes, I love it!”) in world language teacher Isabelle Teraoka’s French class for more than 15 years, immersing themselves in French culture while channeling the Belgium native’s passion for language, words and sound. For her outstanding leadership and excellence in teaching and service, the American Association of Teachers of French (AATF) Southern California chapter has awarded Teraoka its 2022 Recognition of Merit in French Education. Teraoka received her award at the AATF end-of-year dinner at TAIX restaurant in Los Angeles in December 2022. Teraoka teaches four sections of French, Advanced Placement French and Spanish. She also encourages her students to attend extracurricular events, such as Whittier College’s annual French play and the American French Film Festival in Los Angeles.
A new era for the Whittier Union Board of Trustees was ushered in during its Dec. 13 Board meeting, with the Whittier Union community welcoming two newly elected Board of Trustee members, Irma Rodríguez Moisa and Gary Mendez, as well as returning member, Dr. Russell Castañeda Calleros. Rodríguez Moisa and Mendez were officially seated as Board members after taking the Oath of Office during a celebratory ceremony where they were joined by family, friends and community supporters. This is the first time in the Board’s more than 100-year history that it has seated an all Latino/a Board. The Board reorganization meeting, which followed the ceremony, saw Trustee Jaime Lopez step into his new role as president. The Board also selected Dr. Ralph Pacheco to serve as vice president and Mendez to serve as clerk, with outgoing Board president Dr. Castañeda Calleros and Rodríguez Moisa rounding out the Board.
Whittier Union Transition Program student Frederick Bartz arrives at school each morning with a smile on his face and bursting with confidence. The 21-year-old, who is in his fourth and final year of the Transition program and known simply as Fred, brings a positive outlook and genial sense of humor to class that sets an excellent example for his younger peers in the program. When Fred arrives on campus, he barely stops to take a breath before heading out to perform volunteer work at the Whittier Area Cooperative Special Education Program (WACSEP) or work at one of his many part-time jobs in the community. For his progress and tremendous growth, Fred was recognized by the Whittier Union Board of Trustees with an Award of Merit during its Nov. 8 Board meeting. During the meeting, Fred used his communication device to thank the Board for the recognition. Whittier Union Transition teacher Darla Breiling, who joined Fred and his family, was effusive in her praise.
Whittier Union Music Students to Participate in Annual Band Jamboree
Whittier Union High School District band, color guard, percussion, cheer, song and drill team students will have the opportunity to showcase their talents to the community during the District’s annual Band Jamboree. The event will take place at 7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 14 at Sandra Sanchez Thorstenson Stadium at California High School, 9800 S Mills Ave., Whittier. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at https://bit.ly/BandJamboree. Children under five are free and doors open at 6:15 p.m.
Whittier Union students are outperforming their peers across Los Angeles County and California in English language arts (ELA), math and science, according to data provided by the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP), which monitors Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) and California Science Test (CAST) scores throughout the state. CAASPP data shows that for SBAC and CAST tests taken during the 2021-22 school year, the percentage of Whittier Union students who met or exceeded state standards was 62% for ELA, 32% for math and 31% for science. These content areas outpaced those in the county and state by several percentage points, a first for Whittier Union since CAASPP assessments began in 2014. In Los Angeles County, the average scores were 54% for ELA, 26% for math, and 26% for science. In California the average scores were 55% for ELA, 27% for math and 28% for science.
The Whittier Union High School District Board of Trustees celebrated the careers of two of its longest-serving members during the Nov. 8 Board meeting, saying farewell to Vice President Jeff Baird and Clerk Leighton Anderson, who are both retiring from the Board after serving together for 25 years. Baird and Anderson were first elected to the Board in 1997 and have each served five terms. During that time, they have worked alongside four superintendents, have shepherded through three separate facilities bond measures, and seen thousands of Whittier Union students graduate and receive their diplomas.
Whittier Union Volleyball Team Has Breakthrough Year, Advances to CIF
Santa Fe High School girls volleyball team had a breakthrough competition year, returning to the CIF playoffs for the first time since the 2018-19 school year and making it all the way to the semifinals after finishing the season with a 20-12 overall record and tying for second place in the Del Rio League. The team credits their successful season to their willingness to work hard and put in the extra effort needed during practices.
Whittier Union Students to Participate in Annual Band Jamboree
Whittier Union High School District band, color guard, percussion, cheer, song and drill team students will have the opportunity to showcase their talents to the community during the District’s annual Band Jamboree. The event will take place at 7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 7 at California High School’s Sandra Sanchez Thorstenson Stadium, located at 9800 S Mills Ave., Whittier. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at https://bit.ly/BandJamboree. Children under five are free and doors open at 6:15 p.m.
