With a District theme of “Standing Strong Together,” the 2024-25 school year got off to a rousing start for more than 10,000 Whittier Union High School District students, who strode cheerfully and purposefully through their school gates on Aug. 14, ready to reconnect with friends and faculty and make new memories, as they take the next step in their academic journeys. All five Whittier Union comprehensive high schools, as well as its continuation and independent study schools, greeted students with red carpets, welcome posters, balloons representing the school colors, cheer performances, band performances, and more.
Whittier Union High School District’s incoming freshmen will kick off the 2024-25 school year during Freshmen First Day (FFD) on Tuesday, Aug. 13 at each of the District’s comprehensive high schools. FFD is an annual tradition that aims to ease the transition into high school for new students. It also helps new students build connections with one another and familiarize themselves with their new campus, and teachers and administrators, ensuring they are prepared to have an impactful high school experience.
A Whittier Union Adult School (WUAS) program that streamlines the process for students looking to graduate into the local workforce has been recognized with the California Department of Education’s Promising Practice Award, further establishing the school as a valuable resource for residents looking for industry certifications that lead to lucrative careers. WAUS is one of two California adult schools to participate in the U.S Department of Education’s Integrated Education Training (IET) Advanced Design Camp program, which aims to align classroom instruction to better reflect the needs of local industry based on three specific criteria: literacy, workforce preparation, and workforce training. This is the second consecutive year that WAUS has received the Promising Practice Award from the CDE. In 2023, the school was cited for its program that merged English as a Second Language curriculum with career technical education.
Río Hondo College (RHC) student Hesma Valdes took an oath of office to officially begin her tenure as the student trustee for the 2024-25 academic year during the College’s Board of Trustees meeting on June 12. Valdes said she is motivated by a passion for advocacy for students' basic needs and wellness, aiming to be a voice for her fellow RHC students and foster positive change on campus. Her primary focus is addressing psychological needs and improving accessibility for students.
Whittier Union High School District is gearing up for the 2024-25 school year with new leadership changes, recently announcing the hiring of two new principals for California High School and Whittier High School. The new administrators are Shana Jones, Cal High School principal, and Andres Favela, Whittier High School principal. Jones has served as Cal High’s assistant principal of curriculum and instruction for the last two years, after six years as assistant principal of guidance and counseling. Prior to that, Jones spent a decade as a biology teacher at La Serna High School. Favela brings nearly 25 years of experience as a teacher and administrator, including the last six years as principal of James A. Garfield High School in East Los Angeles.
Pioneer High School junior Karen Marin is gearing up for a summer like no other after being accepted into UC Berkeley’s Pre-College Scholars Summer Residential program, where she will have the opportunity to learn from university professors and get a taste of campus life. The Berkeley Pre-College Scholars Summer Residential program offers high school students the opportunity to live on campus, earn college credit from two courses, and participate in extracurricular activities, local excursions, and exploratory workshops. The six-week course runs from July 1 to Aug. 9. Marin said she has been interested in studying law since her freshmen year at Pioneer High and has enrolled in two legal studies courses as part of the program.
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.
