The Soroptimist International of Whittier recently launched its Dream It, Be It career development and female empowerment program for a group of girls at Frontier High School, providing the Whittier Union teens access to professional role models, career education and the resources needed to reach their full potential. Over a six-week period, the women’s social and economic empowerment club will work in partnership with 10th-, 11th- and 12th-graders in small groups and explore topics such as career opportunities, setting and achieving goals, overcoming obstacles to success and how to move forward after setbacks or failures. This is the second year Frontier is participating in the program.
Pioneer High School is one of 24 teams to compete at the JPL Regional Science Bowl Competition from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28 at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena. In a fast-paced, game-show format, students will buzz in to score points on questions at the college freshman level, covering topics in Earth and space sciences, including astronomy, biology, chemistry, physics and math. On Pioneer's team are Danielle Diaz, Lauren Hall, Emily Iniguez and Krystal Frith, with Fernando Ochoa serving as an alternate. The winning team will earn the opportunity to compete April 27 through May 1 at the National Science Bowl in Washington, D.C.
Follow-up Story: Wearing batting helmets and fielders’ mitts, students in the special education program at Santa Fe High School swung bats, ran bases and fielded positions in the third annual Make A Difference (MAD) baseball game – a cheerful event organized by student-athletes and the school’s Associated Student Body. Guided and assisted by the student-athletes, dozens of students wearing commemorative MAD T-shirts had their names announced over a loud-speaker as they approached the field, with friends and family cheering them on in the stands.
Whittier Union High School District has launched a new electronic communication tool that will help strengthen engagement among students, parents, teachers and school administrators. Integrated into the District’s Aeries Parent Portal student information system, Loop supports one- and two-way announcements and messaging through phone calls, text messages, emails, text-to-speech and instant messaging. Loop provides an easy way to receive urgent messages, stay up to date on school activities and contact teachers.
Follow-up Story: Four-legged therapists recently soothed stressed California High School students tackling college applications ahead of the Nov. 30 deadline. In partnership with Pet Partners, a national nonprofit focused on animal-assistant therapy, Cal High invited therapy dogs in three application workshops for students applying to Cal State University and University of California campuses. During each four-hour session, students dropped in to work on applications, get questions answered by experts and de-stress with friendly pets. Organizers hope to invite the canines back next semester for senior project days and Saturday sessions for stressed AP sophomores, as well as inspire the program to expand across the District.
Whittier Union High School District's Board of Trustees has recognized Santa Fe High senior Valeria Restrepo with an Award of Merit for helping to build a one-of-a-kind camaraderie at her high school. Santa Fe High School’s award-winning Associated Student Body has played an essential role in making the campus culture a positive and inclusive environment. The only student on the current ASB cabinet to have participated all four years of high school, Restrepo has become a key leader of the spirited team.
Whittier Union Teacher Receives Outstanding Educator Award
Santa Fe High School biology teacher Alejandra Gonzalez has been selected for the University of Chicago’s 2016 Outstanding Educator Award, an honor that recognizes exceptional dedication to her craft and the profound influence she’s had on her students, including on the former Chieftain who nominated her. Gonzalez, a biology and Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) teacher at Santa Fe for nearly 11 years, was nominated by 2015 graduate Daisy Nahoul, who was awarded a $70,000-a-year QuestBridge Scholarship to the University of Chicago. Formerly homeless, Nahoul is a molecular physics major and the first in her family to go to college.
9 Whittier Union Students to Perform in Tournament of Roses Parade
Nine marching band and color guard members from the Whittier Union High School District will represent their schools and exhibit their talents at the 128th Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade at 9 a.m. Monday, Jan. 2. The Tournament of Roses Honor Band, which has marched in every Tournament of Roses Parade since 1930, chose for its 2017 band: California High School students Olivia Huizar (piccolo), Rocio Vega (trombone), Gus Sausedo (tuba), Eric Gonzalez (color guard/tall flag) and Edith Garcia (color guard/banner); La Serna High School students Avery Smith (alto sax), Taylor Medina (trombone) and Ye Lee (baritone); and Pioneer High School student Marco Galvan (trombone).
Ushering in the holiday season with music ranging from uplifting classical works to fun Christmas favorites, the choirs of Whittier Union’s five comprehensive high schools will celebrate through song during the District’s Winter Choral Festival at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30 at the Whittier College Chapel, 11345 Miller Road, Whittier. The annual concert is an opportunity for the choirs and their directors to come together to listen and learn from each other as well as from a well-respected adjudicator. The choral ensembles have performed in local, regional and national competitions in famous locations such as Carnegie Hall and the Disney Concert Hall.
Some of Whittier High School senior Florencia “Flo” Valenzuela’s earliest memories include watching addiction consume her drug-dependent parents and having child protective services place her and her younger brother in foster care at 5 years old. In and out of foster care for several years, Valenzuela at 13 years old fell under the guardianship of her older sister, Marcy. She has since found empowerment and resiliency, flourishing at home and at school. Holding a 3.8 GPA, Valenzuela is a member of the Associated Student Body, an Academic Mentor to her peers, athlete and community volunteer. She has been selected as a 2016 Children’s Defense Fund-California Beat the Odds® Scholarship program honoree. CDF-CA will provide her with a host of academic and career readiness opportunities – including a $10,000 scholarship. She will be honored at the awards gala on Thursday, Dec. 1 at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel.
