As an incoming freshman, California High School senior Viridian “Viv” Gonzalez got off to a flying start, earning straight A’s in her first semester, with a challenging schedule that included several Honors classes. Her future looked bright; then calamity struck. Gonzalez fell ill during her second semester and was hospitalized for months, missing a considerable amount of school. When Gonzalez returned to Cal High for her sophomore year, she was still very weak and wheelchair bound but determined to pick up where she left off. Enrolling in Cal High’s Health Academy pathway and with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) to guide her, Gonzalez persevered despite her limited mobility, excelling in all her classes and slowly regaining her health. As a senior with a 3.5 GPA and improved health, Gonzalez said she is looking forward to taking the Certified Nurse’s Assistant (CNA) exam this spring.
The Pioneer High School football team made history in the fall 2024 season, taking home the school’s first-ever CIF Southern Section (CIF-SS) title, followed by a regional title – an achievement that has ignited school spirit and set the stage for future generations of athletic excellence. While the team fell to Balboa High School in the CIF State Championship game on Dec. 14, their journey united the school and community in a milestone season. To commemorate this achievement, Pioneer High’s football team is raising funds for championship rings, a lasting tribute to their historic season. Contributions can be made through the school’s dedicated fundraising page or directly at Pioneer’s Business & Activities Office.
Wendy Carcamo is praised as a community leader and visionary as a senior on Whittier High School’s campus. A first-generation Latina who is the youngest of five siblings, Carcamo has faced personal challenges with remarkable resilience as she actively seeks out environments that foster her growth and align with her core values. As a member of Whittier High’s Puente Program, Carcamo has demonstrated deep-rooted values and a steadfast desire to make a positive impact on society. As a second-year academic mentor, she is known for supporting and uplifting her peers. Additionally, as president of the Cardinal Academy of Technology (CAT), Carcamo is laying the groundwork for a career of technological advancement and innovation.
Whittier Union High School District’s Frontier and Sierra Vista high schools have both earned a six-year accreditation from the Accrediting Commission of Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACS-WASC), reaffirming their commitment to fostering supportive learning environments and ensuring student success both academically and personally. ACS-WASC accreditation guarantees that a school’s credits and diplomas are recognized by colleges and universities. It also drives school improvement through a rigorous self-study and the development of an action plan focused on student achievement. While all public high schools in California are required to be ACS-WASC accredited, earning a six-year accreditation with a half-way progress report is known as the highest distinction a school can receive.
La Serna High School senior Felipe Galvan is a natural leader known for building strong relationships with both students and staff alike while continually looking for ways to improve outcomes for his classmates, either as a member of La Serna’s Puente Program, as an English language development (ELD) and Link Crew mentor, or as president of the school’s Wellness Club. Galvan has a passion for promoting social-emotional well-being for his classmates and has brought awareness to mental health by serving as an organizer and fundraiser for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. Galvan, who boasts a 4.26 GPA and has completed 11 Advanced Placement and eight Honors classes, was recently recognized by the Whittier Union Board of Trustees with an Award of Merit, during the Jan. 14 Board meeting.
Students from Whittier High School’s Cardinal Academy of Technology (CAT) continued a cherished end-of-year tradition when they made their annual holiday visit to Lydia Jackson College Prep Academy to spread holiday cheer on Dec. 6, delighting dozens of Lydia Jackson second grade students. The holiday visit has been a tradition for the two schools for 20 years, with Whittier High juniors enrolled in the CAT program bearing gifts, telling stories, and singing songs to the elementary students, while also inspiring the students to consider pursuing science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) subjects as they progress through school.
La Serna High School freshman biology students took their first steps as marine biologists, with a deep dive through the San Pedro Channel and observing the Pacific Ocean ecosystem, through a unique, immersive multimedia experience brought to campus by the Natural History Museum’s (NHM) “An Ocean Experience” Mobile Museum program. Inside the mobile museum, meticulously transformed into the submersible DSV Sea Nettle to simulate a deep-sea expedition, students received a closer look at underwater species, including squids, sea turtles, sharks, shellfish, and myriad other obscure yet vital organisms that live in the ocean. Led by NHM educator Augie VanDeVeer, who posed as captain of the DSV Sea Nettle, the submersible set off in search of an “anomaly” – in this case, a blue whale carcass lying at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean – and discussed its ecological impact and the efficient way that ocean species use organic biodegradation to keep its ecosystem thriving and robust.
When the Pioneer High School football team struggled during a mid-season slump, coach Ramon Juarez inspired his players by telling them they were on the cusp of greatness if they never stopped believing in themselves. Pioneer shook off decades of frustration and disappointment by capturing their first-ever CIF Southern Section (CIF-SS) football title, after defeating San Gabriel High by a final score of 13-6 in the Division 14 championship game on Nov. 30. The game was played in front of 2,000 passionate supporters at Dick Torres Memorial Stadium, which included Titan alums from as far back as the 1960s.
When Whittier High School junior Anika Monzon and her sister, sophomore Adelina Monzon, saw the Tournament of Roses Parade in person on New Year’s Day, they felt great pride in seeing their older brother, Whittier High Class of 2024 graduate Myles Monzon, march in the Honor Band, performing on the tenor drum. This year, it will be a Monzon family affair, as Anika and Adelina are among five Whittier Union students selected to perform at the 2025 Rose Parade as members of the Pasadena City College (PCC) Tournament of Roses Honor Band, joining Myles, currently a PCC student, who was again selected to play tenor drum.
Whittier Union High School District students reached new academic heights on the 2023-24 California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) test, reflecting the District’s commitment to student success and college and career readiness. The CAASPP is a statewide test that evaluates student proficiency in English language arts (ELA), mathematics, and science. Whittier Union 11th graders achieved record-high District scores across the board, with 65% meeting or exceeding standards in ELA, 37% in math, and 39% in science. These results significantly surpassed state averages of 56%, 28%, and 32%, respectively. Additionally, the scores represent continued growth from 2022-23, when the District achieved 62% in ELA and 31% in math.
