Whittier Union High School District

  • Whittier Union Junior Selected as Distinguished Women of L.A. County Finalist

    When La Serna High School junior Gianna Sarmiento began looking for post-secondary scholarship opportunities, she searched for a program that could not only pave the way for success in college and career, but one that was also competitive and allowed her to showcase her academic prowess and creative abilities. Sarmiento was one of just 22 Southern California students selected as a finalist for the Distinguished Young Women (DYW) of Los Angeles County’s Class of 2027 Showcase, held April 18, where she competed for an opportunity to represent L.A. County at the Distinguished Young Women of California showcase in July. Though Sarmiento was not among the four young women chosen to represent the state, as part of the DYW Los Angeles County Class of 2027 she is eligible for college scholarships at a select list of universities and colleges across the United States, with potential scholarships worth anywhere from $1,000 to $31,000 a year.

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  • Santa Fe High School Campus Leaders Named CIF Student-Athletes of the Year

    Santa Fe High School seniors Benjamin Zamora and Itzel Iniguez have both been named 2026 CIF Southern Section-Ford (CIF-SS-Ford) Student-Athletes of the Year, reflecting their commitment to excellence on the playing field and the classroom, and upholding the school’s mission to become effective communicators, critical thinkers, and responsible citizens. Zamora and Iniguez are captains of the cross country and cheer teams, respectively, and both have maintained a 4.0 GPA during their time at Santa Fe High.

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  • Whittier Union Senior Looks Towards College After Receiving $50,000 Edison Scholarship

    When Whittier High School senior Maggy Guerrero was a young girl, she watched do-it-yourself videos and created handmade projects while dreaming of someday becoming a civil engineer. Joining Whittier High’s Cardinal Academy of Technology (CAT) as a freshman, Guerrero quickly established herself as a top student, with a goal of attending an elite university. Guerrero received the surprise of a lifetime when representatives from Edison International came to her Cardinal Academy of Technology (CAT) classroom on March 31 and, in front of her family and friends, announced her as a 2026 Edison Scholar. Guerrero received a $50,000 scholarship, making her one of just 30 Southern California students chosen for the prestigious award this year.

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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.

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.