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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.

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  • 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.

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  • 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.

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Whittier Union Business Academy Seniors Join in National Trade Show

Seniors from La Serna High School’s Green and Clean Business Academy participated in an online National Trade Show, where they had the opportunity to present their business and product, Cart Care. From the ground up, and completely through Zoom, students created a business, a product and consumer packages, a website and employee handbook, business plan, and even a radio commercial and sales pitch. Cart Care, a sanitation service, uses three models for effective sanitation: UVC-Sanitation Stations, Cart Tracks and a Canopy Tent. To learn more about Cart Care, visit their website or Instagram account.

Monrovia Unified Anti-Vaping Video Recognized by Los Angeles Dodgers

An anti-vaping video created by Clifton Middle School Tech and Publicity students was recognized by the Los Angeles Dodgers organization, which selected it as one of three finalists in an online video contest held in partnership with the L.A. County Department of Public Health. The vape-free campaign, “Let the Smoke Clear,” encourages teenagers to make educated choices. Clifton students were rewarded for their high achievement by winning a Zoom session with Dodgers catcher and World Series hero Will Smith. Photos are available.

Whittier Union Food and Nutrition Services Expand Meal Distribution

Whittier Union High School District’s Food and Nutrition Services has added a new meal distribution site for drive-through service. St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 11345 Miller Road, Whittier, will be open from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday for students ages 18 and younger to pick up meals. As of December 2020, Whittier Union has distributed more than 277,000 meals to students in the community.

Whittier Union Administers Oath of Office to Board of Trustees

Whittier Union High School District held a special Board of Trustees meeting on Dec. 15, administering the Oath of Office to returning Trustee Dr. Ralph S. Pacheco and newly elected Trustee Jaime Lopez. During the meeting, Pacheco was named president, Dr. Russell Castaneda-Calleros was named vice president and Jeff Baird was named clerk.

Whittier Union Adult School Students Complete Electrician Course

Two Whittier Union Adult School class sections successfully completed the Electrician 1 course in December. The course, held in-person with COVID-19 health and safety protocols in place, is designed to prepare students to enter the Union Apprenticeship program at the Electrical Institute in the City of Commerce and provide interview preparation for the required Math and Mechanical Reasoning Entry Test.

Whittier Union Board of Trustees Commends Outgoing Member Tim Schneider for Community Service

Whittier Union High School District’s Board of Trustees presented outgoing member Tim Schneider with flowers and a plaque of recognition at its November meeting, honoring the longtime Whittier resident for helping to create and maintain a unique educational culture during his 13 years of service. Schneider focused on strengthening the bond between parents, teachers and students, and pushed for diversity and equity.

Whittier Union High School Seniors Offer ‘Wednesday Wisdom’ Advice

La Serna High School seniors are connecting with one another to offer advice through a new Instagram series, “Wednesday Wisdom.” In the most recent episode, seniors Marcus Ruiz, Melea Earley, Katie Garcia, Justin Hernandez, Remy Vigil, Jayben Romo and Adrian Marquez offered advice for mental wellness and being organized as students tackle assignments and college applications. In short video sequences, the seniors suggested daily mental wellness checks; encouraged the use of a daily planner to track deadlines; and highlighted the importance of not getting in the way of your own goals.

Whittier Union High School Holiday Donation Assists Families

About 100 Whittier-area families in need received an outpouring of holiday cheer complete with Thanksgiving dinner fixings and a $25 Stater Bros. gift card at a Turkey Drive held at Pioneer High School on Nov. 15. The event was conceived by Helping Homeless Veterans-LA President and founder Cynthia Perry-Lopez and her husband, John Lopez, who is Pioneer’s campus operations supervisor. Families began lining up for the Turkey Drive at 4 a.m. Each car received a grocery bag filled with boxes of stuffing and mashed potatoes, corn, green beans, gravy and the gift card.

Cal High Senior Recognized with Award of Merit for Determination and Leadership

Whittier Union California High School senior George Felton was recognized with an Award of Merit from the Whittier Union Board of Trustees on Nov. 10 for his unwavering commitment to academics and athletics. Felton is known on campus for his big heart and positive attitude, a dedicated student who never backs down from a challenge. Felton, who has been in the California foster care system since he was 11 years old, has gone to great lengths to remain at Cal High. Felton has a 3.45 GPA and has been a member of the Cal High football team for four years. After graduation, Felton wants to study criminology and become a police officer.

Whitter Union Announces Extension of Remote Learning

Whittier Union High School District announced on Nov. 12 the extension of remote learning to the end of December 2020. Whittier Union will remain in Stage 1 of the District’s 4-Stage Back to School Plan until the end of December and reevaluate health data when spring semester begins in January. In the meantime, the District continues to check in with individual schools to ensure all sites have the resources needed to keep students and staff safe for their return to classrooms.