Whittier Union Educator Honored with Prestigious Award
Whittier Union High School District Education Specialist Adonis Chacon has been recognized by the California Teachers Association with its We Honor Ours (WHO) award, which goes to outstanding educators who demonstrate excellence, dedication, innovation, and leadership in their roles within the education community. As an education specialist, Adonis works as an Independent Study teacher at Sierra Vista High School in addition to providing special education support to Frontier High School students. In his 17 years at Whittier Union, Chacon has supported and empowered students to succeed in class despite personal struggles.
Whittier Union’s Prom Pop-Up Empowers Students Across Counties
High school students from across Los Angeles and Orange counties gathered at La Serna High School on April 13 for an innovative prom pop-up event, taking away luxurious dresses, breathtaking accessories, and fashionable suits to ensure they were impeccably outfitted for their upcoming proms. For the past two years, La Serna counselor Michelle Ortiz has hosted a “Swag Store,” allowing all La Serna students access to prom clothes and accessories at no cost. This year, Whittier Union alumna and charitable community member Marissa Gayton contacted Ortiz to partner with and host a similar event on a larger scale, opening the event to neighboring counties and districts. Community members and local businesses donated countless dresses, shoes, suits, and jewelry pieces, empowering Ortiz and Gayton to give out more than 70 outfits to student shoppers.
ACSA Bestows Whittier Union Administrators with Top Honors
Three longtime Whittier Union administrators have been honored for their roles in providing equitable public education and promoting a positive message of inclusivity and diversity throughout the District, receiving top honors at the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) 2024 Region 15 Spring Awards Banquet, held April 19 in Burbank. Dr. Monica Oviedo was named ACSA Superintendent of the Year, Assistant Superintendent of Personnel Services Ann Fitzgerald was named ACSA Personnel Administrator of the Year, and United Sierra Education Center (USEC) Principal Dr. Margie Moriarty was named ACSA Adult School Administrator of the Year.
Isabella "Izzy" Nunez, a California High School senior, overcame incredible odds to excel in sports despite being diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis during her freshman year. Her journey began with severe joint pain, but with the support of coach Brian Bordier, she fought back, ultimately playing four years of varsity soccer, three years of varsity lacrosse, and serving as kicker for the Cal High football team, all while maintaining a 4.6 GPA – becoming one of Cal High’s top scholar-athletes, as well as a health and wellness advocate. Nunez was recognized for her resiliency and inspirational story by the Whittier Union Board of Trustees, who honored her with an Award of Merit during an April 9 Board meeting.
Whittier Union Student Advisory Council Tours California State Capitol
Whittier Union High School District’s Student Advisory Council members toured California’s State Capitol on April 3 and met with local lawmakers to learn about the legislative process. Students had the opportunity to step onto the Senate floor and meet with Senator Bob Archuleta and took part in meet and greet sessions with Assemblypersons Blanca Pacheco and Lisa Calderon. The Student Advisory Council consists of students from each of the District’s high schools and is tasked with discussing school events and activities, attending Board meetings, and meeting with the Superintendent to discuss school issues.
Santa Fe High School's Student Leadership Class has earned the school its 24th Outstanding Leadership Program Award (OLPA) from the California Association of Student Leaders (CASL), which recognized the class for continuing to spearhead engaging activities and events, and fostering inclusivity and school spirit among students. OLPA is a distinguished award that is presented to schools in California that display strong student leadership programs that allow students to grow as ethical, responsible, and servant-minded individuals. Through Santa Fe’s Student Leadership Class, students are empowered to explore leadership roles and gain invaluable hands-on experience.
Whittier High School senior Erik Villa rarely stops to catch his breath. Between his schoolwork, mentoring classmates in the school’s Cardinal Academy of Technology (CAT), volunteer work for the Whittier Chamber of Commerce, and managing a Whittier juice bar, Villa goes nonstop from sunup to sundown with a goal of helping anybody who needs his assistance. An unsuspecting Villa was sitting with his CAT classmates when a representative from Edison International came into the class with a surprise announcement – Villa had been named a 2024 Edison Scholarship winner, an honor that comes with $50,000 in tuition support for students pursuing a major in a STEM field. Following the announcement, Villa’s classmates erupted in applause. Villa is one of just 30 Southern California high school students to receive the award.
Whittier Union High School District’s Santa Fe High School hosted an “Every 15 Minutes” program, a two-day event featuring a simulated car crash, rescue efforts, and the dramatized deaths of students. The program consisted of a mock funeral that aimed to emphasize the dangers of operating a vehicle while under the influence. “Every 15 Minutes” is a national campaign that focuses on high school juniors and seniors and aims to challenge students to think about the dangers of drunken driving. The campaign also encourages students to think about the impact that their decisions can have on their family, friends, and community.
Santa Fe High School's Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program, known for its commitment to preparing students for college, careers, and beyond, has secured revalidation as an AVID National Demonstration School, affirming its dedication to academic excellence and student success. With its revalidation, Santa Fe High serves as a model for other schools looking to improve their AVID programs by hosting showcases, conducting AVID trainings, offering classroom visitations, and more. Since 2001, Santa Fe High School has been recognized as an AVID National Demonstration site, showcasing its commitment to the AVID College Readiness System. More than 380 students are enrolled in Santa Fe High’s AVID program. Students in the program boast high A-G course completion rates, with more than 90% of AVID seniors on track to graduate and to be accepted into universities.
Santa Fe High School students will witness the dangerous consequences of driving while under the influence during a staging of the “Every 15 Minutes” program, a two-day presentation that features a simulated car crash scene, staged rescue efforts and dramatized student deaths. The event will conclude with a mock funeral to highlight the lasting impacts of impaired driving.
