Follow-up Story: Dozens of students in California High School’s Culinary Arts Academy who are learning to whip up sizzling recipes and concoct delicious innovative creations dedicated a “kitchen” to a local inspiration of their own – Chef Marco Zapien, executive chef and owner of Zapien’s Salsa Grill and Taqueria in Pico Rivera. Under the direction of lead teacher Corey Duarte, culinary students are divided into smaller individual groups, or “kitchens,” for more hands-on experience and an interactive learning environment. The kitchens are named for famous chefs, such as Julia Child, Bobby Flay and Rachel Ray. Zapien – an active volunteer and donor to the program for 15 years – was recognized for his contributions by junior and senior culinary apprentices during a Sept. 28 dedication ceremony that featured a continental breakfast prepared by the students.
Whittier Union to Host Annual College Fair for Students, Parents
Whittier Union High School District will hold its annual District College Fair from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22 at California High School, 9800 S. Mills Ave., Whittier. The fair will feature more than 50 college representatives from UCLA, UC Berkeley and USC, among others. Students and their parents can participate in workshops on college preparedness, including admission requirements for the UC and CSU systems, majors and careers.
Whittier Union Students to Experience Dangers of Distracted Driving
More than 300 Frontier High School students will experience first-hand the devastating impacts of drinking or texting behind the wheel during a Save A Life Tour presentation, which will include students using an interactive distracted driving simulator. The international Save A Life Tour will host two assemblies at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 20 to expose students to the deadly consequences of unsafe driving practices and choices. The program will feature a high-impact video showing a recreation of a distracted driving incident, police response, emergency room scenes, family responses and other footage. Following the assembly, students will have the opportunity to use a drinking-and-driving simulator and texting-and-driving simulator featuring an iPhone. The event will be at the Sierra Education Campus gymnasium, 9401 S. Painter Ave., Whittier.
To prepare students for a future in technology and innovation, Whittier Union High School District this year is launching a host of new courses in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields at its comprehensive high schools. Topics range from crime scene investigation to video game graphics and design. Classes include an Advanced Placement course and three courses designed by Project Lead The Way (PLTW), the nation’s leading provider of STEM curriculum. The District also created a performing arts course for students interested in color guard.
The Whittier Union High School District is holding Back to School nights across its comprehensive high schools, enabling parents and students to learn more about academic and extra-curricular programs and how to ensure success. Parents can meet teachers and administrators, learn about the curriculum for their students’ courses, discover how they volunteer on campus and learn more about upcoming events that will contribute to their children’s academic progress. Superintendent Martin Plourde will also attend each Back to School Night. Whittier High's event is 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 14; Santa Fe High's event is at 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 15; and Pioneer High's back to school night is 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 15.
Whittier Union Science Teacher Completes Costa Rica Study Program
Santa Fe High School science teacher Brett Stratton returned to the classroom this month with tales of venomous fer-de-lance snakes and spider monkeys from Central America after he completed an Inquiry in Rainforests teacher program that sent him to Costa Rica for field study this summer. Stratton joined a select group of 10 teachers from across the U.S. who were chosen by the Organization for Tropical Studies to conduct research abroad from July 8-21. More than 100 teachers applied to the program, which covered all expenses of the two-week trip and trained teachers in videography, allowing them to document their work and produce instructional videos for their classrooms.
Follow-up Story: Whittier Union High School District kicked off the 2016-17 school year on Aug. 16, giving more than 2,800 members of the Class of 2020 a preview of what the next 720 days – or four years – of their high school careers will be like ahead of the first day of school. In an effort to eliminate any first-day jitters before the official start of school on Aug. 17, each comprehensive high school welcomed freshmen with opening pep rallies with colorful balloons, spirited music and displays of Condor, Lancer, Titan, Chieftain and Cardinal pride as part of Freshman First Day.
Follow-up Story: Hundreds of Whittier community members on Aug. 12 converged on the California High School campus to celebrate the dedication and grand opening of Whittier Union’s second 7,000-seat District stadium – this one named in honor of visionary educational leader and former superintendent, Sandra Thorstenson. The $20 million facility, built with proceeds from the District’s $75 million Measure W facilities bond, was dedicated as Sandra Sanchez Thorstenson Stadium. Thorstenson retired in June after 15 years as superintendent and 39 total years with the District. Photos are available.
Follow-up Story: Whittier High School art students on Aug. 5 unveiled 17 murals crafted by local artists, teens and elementary school students depicting the history of the City of Whittier and their school inside an 80-foot campus tunnel. Using historical archives from Whittier High’s library and the Whittier Historical Museum, students created a vivid representation of what it has meant to be a Cardinal over the decades. As part of the friendly competition, students researched, sketched and painted murals of a decade of their choice from 1900 to today. Photos are available.
La Serna High School sophomore Brianna Chacon, a fast rising 14-year-old golfer, is competing in the 116th U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship – the premier amateur tournament in the country. The tournament runs through Sunday, Aug. 7 at the Rolling Green Golf Course in Springfield, Pennsylvania. Chacon, competing against mostly college players, punched her ticket to the championship after finishing as just one of eight players to make it from a field of 84 in a qualifying tournament June 28 at Friendly Hills Country Club in Whittier. She shot a 73 and finished tied for fifth place.
