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 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.
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.
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 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 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.
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 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.
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.
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.