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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 English Learner Overcomes Obstacles to Become Student Leader

Santa Fe High School senior Angel Moreno Gallegos has traveled a long road to become the first member of his family to graduate from an American high school and attend a four-year university. Born in the United States but raised in Mexico, Moreno Gallegos came to Santa Fe as a freshman with almost no English language skills. Four years later, he will graduate as a student leader with a 4.12 GPA, with plans to attend Cal Poly Pomona and study chemical engineering. For his ability to rise to numerous challenges and stay focused on his goal of academic achievement, Moreno Gallegos was honored with an Award of Merit by the Whittier Union Board of Trustees during its virtual board meeting on May 12.

Whittier Union Schools Rally Behind AP Test-Takers Ahead of Virtual Exams

As Whittier Union schools prepare students to take their Advanced Placement exams for the first time ever from home and online – a challenging feat for any student – Pioneer High School teachers and staff showed their support by holding a drive-thru pep rally on May 6. While observing social distancing and wearing protective masks, Pioneer administrators and AP teachers banded together to provide 150 students who are poised to take their AP exams, which begin Monday and continue through May 22, with “survival kits” containing supplies and snacks.

Whittier Union High Schools Celebrate Class of 2020 with Virtual College Signing Day

Whittier Union seniors donned college apparel, held school pennants and posed with colorful balloons as they reminisced about their high school experiences and celebrated their next steps – into college, military or careers – during virtual College Signing Day activities on May 1. College Signing Day recognizes high school seniors’ commitment to continuing their education at four-year universities, community colleges, the military or vocational schools. Although many universities have extended decision day until June 1, many students have already made their choices.

Whittier Union High Schools Place in Top 25% in Best High Schools List

Whittier Union’s five comprehensive high schools have been listed among the top-performing public high schools in the state and the nation, according to the 2020 Best High Schools rankings by U.S. News and World Report. California, La Serna, Pioneer, Santa Fe and Whittier high schools ranked in the top 25% or higher of high schools in the nation, in addition to earning high rankings among approximately 2,600 high schools in the state.

Whittier Union Engages 95% of Students in Distance Learning

Since launching its Distance Learning program, Whittier Union has engaged 95% of students through Google Classroom, where 98% of teachers are posting assignments and projects. During the transition from in-classroom instruction to remote learning, the District has provided teachers and staff continued professional development to carry out classes from home, adapt the curriculum and become better-versed with technology. To ensure students have the technological access to learn from home, the District has distributed over 1,325 Chromebooks and has secured 300 hotspots to distribute to families.

Whittier Union Senior Wins Full-tuition Posse Scholarship

Santa Fe High School senior Roman Vargas entered middle school without any expectation of ever attending college, but six years of Achievement Via Individual Determination (AVID) classes and rigorous academic opportunities taught him to set goals, collaborate with classmates and work toward achieving post-secondary success. Vargas – a first-generation college student with a 4.2 GPA – is on his way toward making his dreams happen after winning a full-tuition Posse Foundation scholarship to attend Hobart and William Smith Colleges, a private liberal arts college in Geneva, New York, where he will major in history.

Santa Fe High Senior Wins Full-tuition Posse Scholarship to Attend New York Liberal Arts College

Santa Fe High School senior Roman Vargas entered middle school without any expectation of ever attending college, but six years of Achievement Via Individual Determination (AVID) classes and rigorous academic opportunities taught him to set goals, collaborate with classmates and work toward achieving post-secondary success. Vargas – a first-generation college student with a 4.2 GPA – is on his way toward making his dreams happen after winning a full-tuition Posse Foundation scholarship to attend Hobart and William Smith Colleges (HWS), a private liberal arts college in Geneva, New York, where he will major in history.

Whittier High Senior Thrives Behind the Stage, Excels in Class and Supports Family’s Literary Ventures

Whittier High School senior Cristian Rodriguez loves working behind the scenes – whether that’s by providing support as a member of the Vic Lopez Auditorium Technical Crew (ATC) or helping to co-author and publicize his family’s literary projects. Since arriving at Whittier High as a sophomore, Rodriguez has passed four Advanced Placement exams, earned a 4.45 GPA, gained a reputation for his maturity and leadership skills and is poised to be one of the school’s valedictorians.

Whittier Union Alumnus Named New Pioneer High’s Head Football Coach

After graduating from Pioneer High School over three decades ago, longtime educator and athletic coach Steve Randall is returning to his alma mater as its new head football coach, bringing with him championship swagger and an emphasis on character building. Randall, who graduated in 1984, comes to Pioneer after a distinguished career as head coach at Colony High School in Ontario, where he compiled a 64-32 record and guided the team to a Central Division CIF championship in 2014, a year which saw Randall named Coach of the Year.