Whittier Union Unveils New Logo and Refreshed Branding
Whittier Union High School District officially unveiled its new logo, which reflects the District’s roots in tradition and educational excellence, as well as its mission “To Achieve and Maintain Excellence.” The new logo, which provides Whittier Union with a fresh look, encapsulates the themes of honoring tradition while staying modern, being approachable and engaging, and helping students achieve by creating educational pathways toward the future. The new branding will begin rolling out over the next couple of months.
Whittier Union Moves to Rename Board Room, Honor Longtime Trustee
The Whittier Union Board of Trustees will move to rename its Board Room to honor one of its most cherished and longstanding members, the late Dr. Ralph S. Pacheco, during its Tuesday, June 11 Board meeting. Pacheco served the District for 32 years before retiring in July 2023. Throughout his tenure, Pacheco was an active member of the community, serving on many distinguished civic, college, and community service agency boards and commissions. Pacheco was a fervent supporter of modernizing District buildings and infrastructure and saw three separate bond projects passed during his time on the Board: the $98 million Measure C bond, passed in 1998; the $75 million Measure W bond, passed in 2008; and the $183 million Measure AA bond, passed in 2020. Each bond measure led to construction and improvements across the District. Pacheco died in October 2023 after a long illness.
More than 2,700 graduates from Whittier Union High School District’s Class of 2024 celebrated the culmination of their high school journeys and their milestone achievements during energetic commencement ceremonies held June 3 to 5. Graduating students from Whittier Union's five comprehensive schools, two alternative high schools, and adult school celebrated with family and friends as they took the stage to receive their diplomas, marking the end of an era. During this year’s ceremonies, the District's Board of Trustees honored outstanding students from each comprehensive high school with the esteemed 2024 Trustee Award. Whittier Union’s Class of 2024 graduates have been awarded prestigious state and national scholarships, including the 2024 full-ride Gates Scholarship, $50,000 Edison Scholarship, $20,000 Dell Scholarship, and full-ride Posse Foundation Scholarship.
The Whittier Union Board of Trustees will move to rename its Board Room to honor one of its most cherished and longstanding members, the late Dr. Ralph S. Pacheco, during its Tuesday, June 11 Board meeting. Board President Gary Mendez brought a letter of intent to the Board asking it to consider honoring the legacy of Pacheco’s 32 years as a Trustee. The Board requests community attendance at the June 11 meeting to weigh in on the action item and share their memories of Pacheco during the public comment period. Pacheco died in October 2023 after a long illness.
Whittier Union to Celebrate Class of 2024 with Stadium Graduations
Students from Whittier Union High School District’s five comprehensive high schools, two alternative high schools, and adult school will celebrate the conclusion of their academic journeys during stadium commencement ceremonies, all beginning at 6 p.m. The graduations kick off on Monday, June 3, with Santa Fe High School at Dick Torres Memorial Stadium and Whittier Adult School, Sierra Vista and Frontier high school’s combined commencement at Sandra Sanchez Thorstenson Stadium; continuing on Tuesday, June 4 with Whittier High School at Torres Stadium and California High School at Thorstenson Stadium; and concluding on Wednesday, June 5 with Pioneer High School at Torres Stadium and La Serna High School at Thorstenson Stadium. The Whittier Union Board of Trustees will honor a group of students from each comprehensive high school with the 2024 Trustee Award. Thorstenson Stadium is located at 9800 Mills Ave., Whittier, and Torres Stadium is located at 10800 Benavon St., Whittier.
Whittier High School chemistry teacher Thelma Krikorian can always be found in her classroom or lab, tutoring students after hours, guiding academic mentors as a peer-support network, and helping individuals realize their passions in the sciences. Krikorian, who joined Whittier High School in 2005, has honed her skills over the last 23 years, teaching math and a range of science courses but always finding a home in the chemistry department. For her engaging labs and dedication to implementing numerous support systems, Krikorian has been named Whittier Union’s 2024 Teacher of the Year. Krikorian also serves as advisor for the school’s Chemistry Club, sponsored by the American Chemistry Society.
Whittier High School senior Yolanda Mares will never forget the day in chemistry class when she created a large, fiery burst of smoke as part of an experiment. Seeing the colorful plume – a chemical reaction known as “purple haze” – immediately inspired Mares to dedicate her studies to science and technology, culminating in Mares serving as president of the school’s prestigious Cardinal Academy of Technology (CAT) in her senior year. Working in collaboration with her CAT classmates, Mares spent the 2023-24 school year designing a fully programmable prosthetic arm, a project that has pushed Mares closer to her post-secondary education goals – to major in biomedical engineering at an elite university, on her way to a career working with artificial organs and prosthetics. Mares is one step closer to her dream after being named a 2024 Gates Foundation Scholar, which comes with a full-ride scholarship that will cover the cost of her tuition and other expenses. Mares plans to attend the University of California at Irvine.
Pioneer High School’s extracurricular science program has grown by leaps and bounds over the past seven years, providing students with a broad base of experiences to build their confidence and skills through the rigorous study of science, technology, engineering and mathematic (STEM) subjects, preparing them for post-secondary opportunities. Pioneer STEM students are coding and constructing projects of their own design, with many of the projects falling outside traditional high school coursework, as they work to develop and execute their own scientific research, work that culminated in Pioneer’s second annual Science Fair, where more than 160 student engineers competed to earn top prizes in several STEM categories.
California High School Health Academy students are engaging in hands-on learning and gaining real-world experience in a variety of health fields, granting them advanced knowledge and certifications that prepare them for college and careers. The Health Academy begins in sophomore year, where students are introduced to medical terminology and explore the potential career options open to them. During their junior year, students shift to emergency medicine, where they learn life-saving procedures and how to respond to medical emergencies. By senior year, students choose to specialize in sports medicine, dental assisting, or nurse assisting, allowing them to dive deeper into their chosen field and gain practical skills that set them up for future success.
Whittier Union Adult School CTE Tours Boost Student Career Options
The Whittier Union Adult School hosted tours and information sessions for Whittier Union high school students on April 23 and 24, giving students the opportunity to explore the possibilities within the Adult School’s career technical education (CTE) programs and experience firsthand the hands-on, dynamic learning environments that fast-track their journeys to high-demand careers. During the CTE tours, students explored construction, medical assistant, and electrician classrooms, witnessing current Adult School students in action and hearing from them and their dedicated instructors. The Whittier Union Adult School offers a diverse range of CTE options, including medical assistant, cybersecurity, and plumbing pathways, all of which empower students to find their passions and unlock their potential in the workforce.
