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Whittier Union High School District

  • Whittier Union Students Spread Holiday Cheer, STEM Inspiration through Annual Tradition

    Students from Whittier High School’s Cardinal Academy of Technology (CAT) continued a cherished end-of-year tradition when they made their annual holiday visit to Lydia Jackson College Prep Academy to spread holiday cheer on Dec. 6, delighting dozens of Lydia Jackson second grade students. The holiday visit has been a tradition for the two schools for 20 years, with Whittier High juniors enrolled in the CAT program bearing gifts, telling stories, and singing songs to the elementary students, while also inspiring the students to consider pursuing science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) subjects as they progress through school.

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  • Whittier Union Freshmen Take Deep Dive Via Mobile Museum Virtual Ocean Experience

    La Serna High School freshman biology students took their first steps as marine biologists, with a deep dive through the San Pedro Channel and observing the Pacific Ocean ecosystem, through a unique, immersive multimedia experience brought to campus by the Natural History Museum’s (NHM) “An Ocean Experience” Mobile Museum program. Inside the mobile museum, meticulously transformed into the submersible DSV Sea Nettle to simulate a deep-sea expedition, students received a closer look at underwater species, including squids, sea turtles, sharks, shellfish, and myriad other obscure yet vital organisms that live in the ocean. Led by NHM educator Augie VanDeVeer, who posed as captain of the DSV Sea Nettle, the submersible set off in search of an “anomaly” – in this case, a blue whale carcass lying at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean – and discussed its ecological impact and the efficient way that ocean species use organic biodegradation to keep its ecosystem thriving and robust.

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  • Pioneer High School Celebrates First-Ever CIF Southern Section Football Championship

    When the Pioneer High School football team struggled during a mid-season slump, coach Ramon Juarez inspired his players by telling them they were on the cusp of greatness if they never stopped believing in themselves. Pioneer shook off decades of frustration and disappointment by capturing their first-ever CIF Southern Section (CIF-SS) football title, after defeating San Gabriel High by a final score of 13-6 in the Division 14 championship game on Nov. 30. The game was played in front of 2,000 passionate supporters at Dick Torres Memorial Stadium, which included Titan alums from as far back as the 1960s.

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Whittier Union Scholars Take Top Honors at 2021 LACOE Academic Decathlon

Whittier Union scholars made impressive showings at the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) 2021 Academic Decathlon. Whittier High School and Santa Fe High School took first and second place, respectively, in Division III during the virtual event held in February. Whittier High was awarded 27 medals, while Santa Fe scored 21 medals and was named LACOE’s Most Improved Team. Santa Fe also took third place in Super Quiz, earning bronze medals for each team member.

Whittier Union Alternative Schools Host Virtual Awards Ceremony

Whittier Union alternative schools – including Sierra Vista High School, Frontier High School and the WUHSD Transition Program – celebrated its top students for their high academic achievements during a virtual awards ceremony on Feb. 25. More than 120 students were recognized in the categories “Student of the Term,” recommended by teachers, and “Top Producers,” given to students who exceeded the minimum number of credits during the second quarter.

Whittier Union High School Celebrates Top Students with Drive-thru Event

La Serna High School held its 15th annual Be Your Best awards ceremony on Feb. 19 with a drive-thru celebration that honored more than 100 students for their excellence during remote learning. Traditionally celebrated through grade level assemblies, this year’s ceremony allowed students the opportunity to see one another from a distance as they received a Be Your Best certificate and T-shirt. P

Whittier Union Junior Honored as Boys & Girls Club 2021 Youth of the Year

La Serna High School junior Keyaira Bascus was honored as the Boys & Girls Club of Whittier’s 2021 Youth of the Year for her outstanding bravery, resilience, and courage. Bascus was one of three Whittier Union finalists, including La Serna High junior Norberto Reyes and Whittier High School senior Isaac Guerrero, with each finalist receiving a $3,333 scholarship to support their post-secondary academic goals. Pioneer High School senior Jeremiah Parra received the Whittier Union Outstanding Member Award for his character and citizenship.

Pioneer High School Seniors Receive Award of Merit for Academics, Communication Skills

Pioneer High School 2020-21 Stand Out seniors Michael and Sofia Lagos are two of the driving forces behind the school’s weekly Titan News Flash video report, bringing a sense of normalcy and relevance to distance learning-weary classmates. The fraternal twins are also academic standouts with matching 4.53 GPAs, having completed 13 AP courses apiece. For their academic achievements and communication skills, Michael and Sofia were recognized by the Whittier Union Board of Trustees for their academics and communication skills during a Feb. 9 board meeting.

Whittier Union Schools Recognized by College Board for Diversity in Advanced Placement Program

The College Board has honored two Whittier Union high schools for expanding young women’s access to Advanced Placement (AP) Computer Science classes, recognizing Santa Fe and Whittier high schools with its 2020 AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award. The schools received the award for fostering equal gender representation in AP Computer Science Principles during the 2019-20 school year.

Whittier Union High School Creates E-Sports Team

Pioneer High School has launched an E-Sports team that will meet virtually as it prepares for competitions organized by Play Versus, Inc., a national platform for high school, youth and college E-Sports leagues. Students will compete with schools from across the country in games such as FIFA, Madden, League of Legends, Smite, Smash Ultimate and Rocket League. Initially participating from home, Pioneer hopes to provide an E-Sports room for students when health guidelines allow.

Whittier Union Senior Receives QuestBridge National Match Scholarship

Santa Fe High School senior Lyn Guinto has received a QuestBridge National Match Scholarship to Grinnell College in Iowa. Guinto is one of nearly 1,500 students across the United States to receive the full-ride four-year scholarship, which connects underrepresented students to the nation’s top universities. Though currently undecided on a major, Guinto has expressed a strong interest in social science.

Whittier Union School Inspires Community with 2021 Wish Wall

Inspired by the Descanso Garden “Wish Tree,” La Serna High School recently debuted its 2021 Lancer Wish Wall. Created by La Serna teachers Katie George and Jenna George, the Wish Wall, located at the front of the La Serna campus, allows students, faculty and staff to leave messages of encouragement as a symbol of hope for the La Serna and Whittier communities. Photos are available.

Whittier High School Senior Receives Award of Merit for Perseverance, Work Ethic

Whittier High School senior Ashley Perdomo came to the United States from El Salvador when she was 10, after her parents had been granted political asylum. Arriving at Whittier High as a freshman, Perdomo found a sense of direction, eventually becoming a student leader with a 4.4 GPA and earning the respect of her teachers and classmates for her work ethic and mentoring ability. Perdomo was recognized by the Whittier Union Board of Trustees with an Award of Merit for her perseverance during its Jan. 12 board meeting.