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 Whittier High School and California High School. The new administrators, who were appointed during a Board meeting on June 11, are Shana Jones, California 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 role, Jones spent a decade as a biology teacher at La Serna High School, where she was recognized as the Delta Kappa Gamma Teacher of the Year in 2011 and La Serna Teacher of the Year in 2016.
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.
The Whittier Union High School District will hold its annual Holiday Choral Concert at Whittier College on Nov. 21. Students from California, La Serna, Pioneer, Santa Fe and Whittier high schools will perform classical works to popular Christmas favorites during the district’s holiday festival. Contact: Laura Flores, 562-668-7833 (office)
Whittier Union High School District’s five comprehensive high schools come together for the district’s spectacular annual marching band and cheer exhibition from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 4 at California High School. The cheer exhibition will take place in the gym at 6:30 p.m. The band exhibition will start at 7:15 p.m. in the football field. Contact: Laura Flores, 562-668-7833 (office)
"Lost Boy of the Sudan" Alephonsion Deng and author and refugee activist Judy Bernstein will speak to La Serna High School's AP Human Geography class about the book they have read based on Deng's experiences as a refugee. Teacher Lisa McCollum and parents raised donations for the visit, taking place Tuesday, Oct. 15. The media is invited to attend the book signing at noon. Contact Laura Flores, 562-668-7833 (office)
Stanford graduate and NFL veteran Julian Jenkins will speak to students and parents on "College Recruiting Simplified" at the Whittier Union High School District College Fair hosted by Pioneer High School at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 3. The event will also feature workshops and the chance to talk to representatives from 65 national colleges and universities. Contact Laura Flores, 562-668-7833 (office)
The relative of toppled Chilean President Salvador Allende, Isabel Allende, and Whittier High School alumnus William C. Gordon will discuss their latest book as a fundraiser for Whittier College and Whittier High at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 26. Contact Laura Flores, 562-668-7833 (office)
Designed to help parents become more involved in their children’s education and the school community, Cal High is opening a new Parent Center with a grand opening celebration from 7 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 9. Contact Laura Flores, 562-668-7833 (office)
Whittier High School will hold its 2013 Homecoming football game, which will include a pre-game street parade and performance. The game starts at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13, at the Whittier College stadium, 13847 Earlham Drive. Photo opportunity of parade, pre-game show and game. Contact: Laura Flores, (562) 668-7833 (office)
Pioneer High School (Whittier) will welcome its incoming ninth graders with fun activities, bonding games, food, a preview tour of their classes and a chance to meet their new teachers and administrators from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 13. Upperclassmen Link Crew members will be at each campus to help smooth ninth graders’ transition into high school. (Photo opportunity available) Contact: Laura Flores, (562) 668-7833 (cell)