EMUHSD 2017 Graduation Special Edition Vol. 54, No. 09
Serving the San Gabriel Valley Since 1966
June 07, 2017
Mountain View School District Celebrates its Dedicated Volunteers by Michele Earle, Contributing Writer El Monte
The Mountain View School District honored several dedicated volunteers for their exceptional service to their schools and District at the annual Volunteer Recognition Celebration. Held at the El Monte Community Center, the spring-themed celebration included beautiful decorations created by the school and district community liaisons, refreshments and entertainment by Twin Lakes School’s Flamenco Dancers and Voorhis School’s Irish Dancers. Certificates of appreciation were presented to volunteers from each school site and the Head Start State Preschool program. Board of Education members, Adam Carranza, Jacqueline Saldaña and Christian Diaz joined District Superintendent, Lillian Maldonado French to thank and congratulate the volunteers for their extraordinary service. “Thank you for all you do for our students,” said Maldonado French.
“The work you do is immense and invaluable and because of your involvement our students succeed, and for that I am extremely grateful.” MVSD’s volunteers provide tremendous support to the schools through assistance in classrooms, playground supervision, field trip supervision, office assistance, decorating for special events, fund raising, and participation on district and school site committees. For the past three years they have provided valuable input for the development of the District’s Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP). Additionally, many of them have participated in trainings, enabling them to lead workshops and parent engagement activities. Administrators from each of the school sites and the Head Start program acknowledged their volunteers in video tributes, sharing words of appreciation and gratitude for their service. “Thank you for your dedication
Monte Vista Volunteers honored by Mt. View School District. Courtesy Photo
and willingness to give of your time, talent and care,” said Sylvia Rivera, Parkview School principal. “Our volunteers are ordinary people with extraordinary hearts.” Alma Gonzales, Director of Preschool Programs appreciates the many volunteers and all they do for the preschool programs, staff and students. “We appreciate your willingness
to volunteer and work with us as we support our students. Volunteers are love in motion and your efforts positively impact our schools and programs.” Congratulating the volunteers on their achievements, Board of Education President, Adam Carranza thanked them for their service. Volunteers continued on page 8
Mountain View School District Honors its 2017 Retiring Employees
by Michele Earle, Contributing Writer El Monte
The Mountain View School District celebrated the distinguished careers of 13 retiring employees at the District’s Retirement Social held on May 19. Honored at the event for their many years of dedicated service to the students and families of the Mountain View School District were Alicia Evans-Teacher, Jose Santiago-Teacher, Nancy Spears Davis-Teacher, Grace Punzo-Teacher, Christine Molina-Instructional Assistant, Sonia Navarro-Teacher, Yolanda Ocampo-Instructional Assis-
Courtesy photo.
tant, Anna Hernandez-Secretary III, Eloise Garcia-Teacher, Elisa Larios Mosley-Teacher, Helen Heller-Principal, Angie Godina-Instructional Assistant, and Emma De la GarzaTeacher. On behalf of the Board of Education and the District, each retiree re-
Courtesy photo.
ceived an engraved golden bell, and they were presented with certificates of commendation from Assemblyman Ed Chau, Senator Ed Hernandez, Congresswoman Grace Napolitano, Assemblywoman Blanca Rubio and the El Monte City Council. Tributes by colleagues, highlighting the retirees’ careers and their influence on staff and students completed the special afternoon event. “This is a bittersweet time as we happily wish you a wonderful retirement and sadly say good-bye to our special friends and colleagues,” said Lillian Maldonado French, MVSD superintendent. “We are extremely grateful for your many years of dedicated service to Mountain View, and
for the tremendous influence you have had on the students over the years. Your incredible work and dedication has left a lasting impact on our students, staff and District. I wish you all the best as you embark on the next chapter of your lives.” Appreciation and acknowledgements were also given to the retirees who were unable to attend the event including Ellen McAvoy-Teacher, Pedram Eftekari-Teacher, Delia Garcia-Instructional Assistant, Jacqueline Gosh-Teacher, Jesse LopezWarehouse Delivery Driver, Michael Martinez-Grounds Worker, Mary Helen Saldana-Instructional Assistant, Lily Serrano-Clift-Teacher.
Mid Valley News
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June 07, 2017
EL MONTE UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
Chalk Talk
A Golden Eagle Kind of Night In South El Monte by Staff Writer
South El Monte High School congratulates the 2017 Golden Eagle Award winners and honorees. On a night where almost 400 students, friends and family attended the long awaited event, seniors received med-
als, ropes, and stoles for their graduation gowns to reflect their accomplishments while others received Golden Eagle statues and plaques. Among noted accomplishments included speeches by Salutatorian
Raymond Chau and Senior Class President Samantha Ramirez. Also present was the 2017 South El Monte High School Valedictorian John Hua, who will be speaking at Graduation. Showing a selfless commitment and willingness to serve others, Senior Briana Patrick was presented the 2017 Eagle of Honor Award by Principal Dr. Amy Avina. Over 100 seniors received an honor or award and almost $100,000.00 in scholarships were awarded from the Parent Teacher Student Association, the South El Monte High School Seek To Achieve Committee, and others.
South El monte High School congratulates the 2017 Golden Eagles Award winners and honorees. Courtesy photo
Ed Note: This article is reproduced with permission of the authors, Mt. View High School, and El Monte Union High School District.
Briana Patrick, Eagle of Honor. Courtesy photo
Raymond Chau, Valedictorian. Courtesy photo
Valedictorians Speak Out Voice of 9,000 Students by Amanda Medina, Staff Writer, Arroyo High School
For the first time ever in Arroyo’s history, there will be eleven valedictorians representing the class of 2017. To meet the requirements to be considered for this honor, a student must maintain at least a 4.2 GPA by the end of the Fall semester of their senior year according to board policy. Also, students must have earned a blue seal diploma which indicates that they had met A-G requirements. The eleven valedictorians are George Chen, Stephanie Huynh, Peter Vien, Preston Lee, Wilson Yu, Britney Forsyth, Elaine Huynh, Rafael Trinidad, Stephanie Li, Connie Diep, and Rebecca Cheung. The salutatorian, which is the student that has the second highest GPA after the
valedictorians, is Christy Lee. In 2010, Arroyo had its highest record of valedictorians with three students holding the honor. In 2011, the number doubled and the class had five valedictorians. The next three years honored six valedictorians. The eleven valedictorians will be presented at the graduation ceremony with George Chen and Peter Vien presenting speeches. Pub note: This article originally appeared in Knight’s Banner: The Student News Site of Arroyo High School and is reprinted with permission from Arroyo High School and the El Monte Union High School District.
Graduating Senior Finds Inspiration in her Father by Stephanie Corales, Class of 2017, Rosemead High School
Just like everyone, I possess fears, flaws, and timidity. However, my internal desires to become something greater than what I am today is what keeps me driven. Life’s circumstances and the determination that I’ve possessed since day one in pre-school at Savannah Elementary have shaped me in beautiful ways. My name is Stephanie Yvonne Corales, and I am an optimistic and compassionate individual whose passion is school. I truly appreciate all the blessings that Rosemead High School has offered me. It has led me
to become an active student who is involved in community service and comes out of her comfort zone. What most people do not know about me is that I have a family of six who depends on the single salary of a gardener. My hardworking father is my source of strength, and it is because of him that I have the ambition to savor success in the future. I strive to become an educator, whether it is by becoming an academic counselor or an English teacher to Inspiration continued on page 8
Julissa Sauceda has been elected as the new voice representing the students in all seven schools in the districts. by Haily Juarez, Staff Writer, Arroyo High School
Julissa Sauceda was newly selected to be a student representative on the El Monte Union High School District Board of Trustees for the student advisory in the upcoming school year. She will be representing the seven schools in the district. For Julissa to become elected, she had to present a speech to the members of the student advisory committee and they found her most fit. Her position benefits the school because she gets to have a students perspective in and help the board members see something they may have not seen or missed. “This newly appointed position benefits me a great deal by helping me work on my leadership skills,” said Julissa Sauceda, 11. Julissa will be taking a serious and important job representing all the
schools in the El Monte Union High School District. “It’s a lot of responsibility but I’m excited to know I will be making a difference in all the schools in the 9000 Students continued on page 8
A Rosemead High School Graduate Story of Leadership by Javier Avila, Class of 2017, Rosemead High School
When I was one, my family and I immigrated to this country from Mexico in search of a better life. I recently gained permanent residency in this country, however, for most of my life, I was an undocumented person. Despite having to overcome several limitations, my status became a mo-
tivation to work harder, so that I too could achieve those opportunities. My life growing up and today has not been easy either. My dad is the only active worker in my family. However, I will always be deeply Leadership continued on page 8
June 07, 2017
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Mid Valley News
EL MONTE UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
EMUHSD 2017 Graduation Special Edition
High School Mt. View’s Brandon Ho Roller Coaster Teaches is Top of His Class Time Management by Alexis Sotelo, Viking Scroll, Mt. View High School
by Vicky Chang, Class of 2017, Rosemead High School
Throughout Rosemead high school, it has been a roller coaster. I have been active in student government as the ASB President and Treasurer, Junior Class President and Sophomore Class Secretary, Sisters Achieving Greatness Art Truth Health and Services (SAGATHS sisterhood) Vice President, Secretary, and Historian, Key Club International Historian, Volleyball, Track and Field, and California Scholarship Federation. I represented Rosemead as the Girls State Delegate and became Girls State Controller for the summer of 2016. The amount of time and stress that has been put into these positions resulted in a push for time management. This was the time where I understood the importance of time management between my academics and my extracurricular
activities. Soon, I will be graduating and will be one step closer to the working field. In all honesty, none of this would have happened without the people who have supported me. Teachers and administration have guided me to achieve my academic goals. My family has always been there to support my dreams and they have pushed me to be where I am today. With my parents coming into America with no English, I have seen with my own eyes the sweat and tears that has been put to get me to where I am today. After graduating, I plan to attend the University of California, Riverside as a Pre-Business major. Once I finish my undergraduate studies, I hope to attend graduate school to get my masters.
Chavez Receives Mt View High School Scholar Athlete of the Year by Christine Avila, Editor in Chief, Viking Scroll, Mt. View High School
Rose Chavez will be this year’s Thor. Her GPA was a 4.04. Chavez was recognized as the scholar athlete due to her high academic achievements while being able to be a part of different sports in the varsity level. Throughout her four years, Chavez was involved in volleyball, basketball, and softball all varsity. Besides sports she was also very involved in clubs. She was in the Associated Student Body (ASB), Teacher Preparation Academy (TPA), and Senior Club. “Being so involved wasn’t always so easy.” Chavez said, “I would have to sacrifice sleep a lot to be able to finish homework and have study time once I got home from school, which was usually around 6 PM. I might have gotten called crazy for staying up late, but I got used to it, and it paid
off.” Recently, Chavez was accepted into UCLA and will begin this fall. She chose to major in political science. Chavez would like to be a teacher or have a career related to the educational field, and she said, “My goal in life is to be in a career that I love. The last thing I’d want is to be stuck doing something I hate. I also want to have my own family,” she added. She advised other future scholar athletes “to be prepared on being on top of your classwork! Have a positive attitude in all you do; it makes a difference in your performance.” Ed Note: This article is reproduced with permission of the authors, Mt. View High School, and El Monte Union High School District.
Aranxa the Bronco
by Rita Kuang, Jenny Ung Staff Reporters, Viking Scroll, Mt View High School
Viking Cheerleader Aranxa Castillo (‘17) is planning to attend Cal Poly Pomona, home of the Broncos, in the fall of 2017. In addition to applying to Cal Poly Pomona, she also applied to California State University Dominguez Hills, Cal State Fullerton, Cal State LA, and California State University Chico State with a GPA of 3.6. Castillo believes that, “Even if you do have a job, going to college guar-
antees you a better life.” Her motivation to continue striving for a better education are her parents’ continuous support. “My parents do everything they can to give me anything I need.” Castillo is unsure of the career path she will take but would like to major in medicine during her time at Cal Poly Pomona College. Castillo is currently participating in cheer, ASB, Bronco continued on page 8
Brandon Ho will be the Mt View High School Class of 2017’s valedictorian with a cumulative G.P.A of 4.23. Ho’s secret to his achievement is what he considers his “greatest skill”: time management. Using this skill, Ho created specific schedules to finish his schoolwork first and then proceed with his remaining time in sports and band activities. “I focused on finishing my homework first. If I didn’t, I made sure to finish my homework after my activities, even if it meant staying up late,” said Ho. Ho admires his father’s determination and commitment to his work. Ho is also inspired by Mr. Geoffrey Bolen, mathematics department. “Just watching [Mr. Bolen] enjoy the job, makes you think about your future. That’s something I expect in the future, having fun in my job.” Although the valedictorian title is awarded to the student’s performance in the classroom, Ho has been able to balance sports, band, and schoolwork throughout his four years of high school. Running has also played a part in his life. Dating back to his days in Madrid Middle School, Ho was part of the Students Run Los Angeles programs (SRLA). The SRLA program prepares students to run the Los Angeles Marathon, which Ho ran twice with the
time 3 hours 58 minutes. Eventually, Ho continued his running career in MVHS cross country and track team. Ho’s play on the track would then be complemented by his play on the drums. Ho has been in the school’s marching band all four years and served as section leader for drumline. The rhythm that the drumline creates has helped beat other schools in competitions and festivals. It is the impacts that Ho has had in the drumline that solidifies his role as section leader. Now that Ho is close to attending Cal Poly Pomona, he only has one main fear: college debt. “You never know what the future holds, but all you can do right now is get scholarships,” said Ho. Ho hopes to be remembered as “helpful, motivated, determined, inspirational and committed. But mostly helpful.” Ho plans to become a mechanical engineer. Through the design and construction of machinery. Ho would like to invent products that will improve society. Although Ho enjoys expanding his knowledge, he only plans to earn a bachelor’s degree at a collegiate level. Ed Note: This article is reproduced with permission of the authors, Mt. View High School, and El Monte Union High School District.
Mt View Salutatorian on Her Way to Westwood by Jasmine Almaraz, Viking Scroll, Mt View High School
The 2017 Salutatorian is Noemi Juarez, who will be graduating with a cumulative grade point average of 4.16. Noemi is a, “sharp, bright, and deep thinker,” says Ms. Denise Fischer, English department. Juarez took Advanced Placement classes in History, English, Spanish, Computer Science, and Calculus. Her favorite class was English Literature and Composition. Along with her academic work, she has also been a part of the PCC Math/Science Upward Bound program. With this program she has been able to visit colleges and get help with studies. Juarez was involved in extracurricular activities, including FHA HERO, from her freshman to junior year. She was also a part of the Media Center Advisory Club (MCAB). Juarez said that she enjoyed being in MCAB because she helps out in making recommendations on what could make the library a better place for students. In her free time, Noemi likes to volunteer at her church in Costa
Mesa. She helps by projecting song lyrics, PowerPoints, videos, and providing any extra help her pastor needs. One of Juarez ́s closest friends, Nancy Gallegos (‘17) described her as “determined, good hearted and a dedicated person. She always does the best she possibly can in anything that she does.” In the fall, Juarez will attend the University of California Los Angeles and will major in neuroscience. Her career goal is be a researcher in the field of neuroscience, with a focus on learning disabilities. Juarez advised freshmen, “It’s better to put in some hard work now, then to regret later.” Ed Note: This article is reproduced with permission of the authors, Mt. View High School, and El Monte Union High School District.
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Mid Valley News
June 07, 2017
EL MONTE UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
EMUHSD 2017 Graduation Special Edition
Panther Teacher, Panther Hero Breezing Through - The Mejia Way by James Eder Rosemead High School
It was probably one of those typical days in the life of a PE teacher. Mrs. Esquivel probably took attendance. She probably had two nondressers on the sideline she probably carried her own equipment out to the field, but she probably didn’t know she was going to need to save a student’s life that day. As Jessie Nguyen caught the ball at first for the easy out she and the runner collided. Half a centimeter in either direction would left her and the runner, Warren Wang dusty and laughing. Unfortunately, their collision knocked both Jessie and Warren to the ground. Warren got up and walked away with a split and bloody lip, Jessie was not as fortunate. Mrs. Esquivel’s typical day in PE ended when Jessie Nguyen hit the ground and stopped breathing. Joan Esquivel ran out from behind home plate. She knew instinctively from the way she saw her student fall this wasn’t an ice pack and a trip to the school nurse. The 27 year veteran teacher dropped to her knees checked for breathing. She put out a call on the radio then dispatched student runners to direct help to the softball field while she began chest compressions. By the time Campus Supervisors and administration arrived Jessie
by Stephanie Gonzalez, Christen Robles, Staff Reporters, Viking Scroll, Mt View High School
Nguyen was breathing on her own. The school resource officer made the call to 911 and directed all traffic blocked to provide easy access to the campus for paramedics and firemen. By the time they arrived Jessie was slowly regaining consciousness. She asked what happened and then was able to answer some of the routine questions from the Emergency team as she was taken to the hospital by ambulance. Jessie’s classmates had been moved to the other side of the field. Many were visibly shaken and others were crying. Mrs. Esquivel was also both physically and emotionally drained. Two things are certain; May 23, 2017 was not a typical day in PE and the other, Mrs. Esquivel is without a doubt my nominee for Panther Teacher of the Year.
Viking Scroll Names Male Athlete of the Year by Yaritzel Ramirez, Viking Scroll, Mt. View High School
Gaining recognition for his talents and great determination, Josue Martinez has been selected as the Viking Scroll’s Male Athlete of the Year. Martinez has been a part of the football team throughout his high school career, three of those years at varsity level. He has also participated in track and field and competed in discus and shot-put all four years with three years on varsity. Josue Martinez credits his success to hard work. He says, “talent can only get you so far, it’s always that one person who puts in the extra hours who succeeds.” Thanks to long hours of hard work, Martinez has received nine awards in total for both sports throughout his high school career. Other achievements include Martinez placing third in league his sophomore year, took league and made
CIF his junior year for shot put. In that same year Josue placed second and qualified for CIF for discus. The grind didn’t stop there as Martinez returned his senior year and took first team running back for football. Martinez’s football coach, Mr. Victor Romero, said “Josue is a loyal person with a kind heart who is always there when you need him. He is athletically gifted and will be successful in college.” Martinez believes he was able to fulfill his goal with the help of his football teammates, friends, and track coaches. He said, “It was truly an amazing ride which unfortunately had to come to an end.” Ed Note: This article is reproduced with permission of the authors, Mt. View High School, and El Monte Union High School District.
Brisia Mejia is described by her classmates as spirited, energetic, and also extremely helpful. She is said to be a hard worker and has a lot of pride for Mountain View. Mejia views her experience here at Mountain View as a positive one. “There was such a variety of clubs to join and events to participate in that I feel like I got the full high school experience,” said Mejia. Her goal was to get into the Union Bank internship program, which she achieved. Mejia also volunteers on committees and participates in school activities. She is a member of ASB and senior club. Mejia enjoys working with her fellow ASB members and helped organize the seniors at their jobs in ASB. Mejia was Senior Commission-
er for spring when she was in ASB. Mejia was part of the girls’ varsity tennis team for sophomore and junior year. “I wanted to try something new, so I decided to try tennis and to my surprise, I actually liked it. I met a lot of great girls that I never thought I would be friends with,” said Mejia. Mejia said her only regret is not trying out for the cheer team. “It looked like lots of fun, and I wish I would have done it,” said Mejia. Once Mejia graduates from high school, she plans to go to Rio Hondo College and work. Ed Note: This article is reproduced with permission of the authors, Mt. View High School, and El Monte Union High School District.
Viking Scroll Names Krystal Diaz Female Athlete of the Year by Jenny Chen, Sports Editor, Viking Scroll, Mt. View High School
Throughout her years in high school, she has shown heart, passion, and dedication in the three sports that she participated in. For this reason, Krystal Diaz has been chosen as the Viking Scroll’s Female Athlete of the Year. In the past four years, Diaz was a varsity tri-athlete as she took part in varsity volleyball and track and field for three years, and soccer for four years. Diaz has led her volleyball team to CIF twice, came in second place for shot put in league, and she is the only girl from Mountain View who qualified to compete in the league finals for track this year. “Coach [Geodi] Sunabe [-Davidson], Mr. [Rick] Luiten, Ms. [Claudia] Autran, and my mom all have inspired and helped me throughout my high school years. They kept me
out of trouble, guided me on the right path, and helped me make the right decisions,” said Diaz. “Krystal wasn’t a captain ... but she still led by example on the court. She is tough, competitive, and a beast. She’s just mentally tough on the court and she did so much for our team like helping us get third place in league, allowing us to compete in CIF. She is just a great all-around player,” said volleyball coach Ms. Sunabe-Davidson. Soccer teammate, Jenny Alfaro (‘17) said, “She is not only a great teammate but also a great friend. We met in freshman year in varsity soccer. Since then, we [have] helped each other a lot both personally and in soccer.”
Rudy Can’t Fail
by Athena Ly, Staff Reporter, Viking Scroll, Mt View High School
Rudy Sanchez is one of the top 20 seniors in the GPA ranking at Mountain View High School. He will be enrolling at UC Irvine and plans to major in materials science. “I took [a materials science course] in Pasadena City College (PCC), and I [gained] an interest in materials,” he said. Including this school year, he has maintained a grade point average of 3.67. “If you do not make it to the top 20 in your class, there are still AP classes you can take to improve your GPA,” said Sanchez. Sanchez has taken the engineering classes offered here all four years. He has also taken a total of nine AP classes along with AP tests. He is a member of the creative writing club and Solar Creations, a club that focuses on engineering devices that use solar energy to function. This year, Solar Creations continued their fourth consecutive year of
building a boat that ran on solar energy. “I think Solar Creations shows how great Mountain View is. The best part about it was building the boat,” said Sanchez. One of his final achievements before graduating was earning a silver medal for literature and a bronze medal for history during the 2017 Academic Decathlon Competition. Sanchez said his philosophy of always being the best he could be kept him working hard. “Like any other person, I try to relax and think things through when facing obstacles,” says Sanchez. His biggest challenge yet is coping with the fact that he is now an adult. Ed Note: This article is reproduced with permission of the authors, Mt. View High School, and El Monte Union High School District.
June 07, 2017
Cracker Barrel Graduation, a Time for Reflection By: Mike McClure El Monte
…so the other day I was talking to Greg Cosio, you know him from his radio show “Back Yard Bar-B-Que” on our sister radio station KMVR Mid Valley Radio with his mix of Latin Soul and Oldies. Greg is a bit of an historian of musical artists from El Monte and he is always bragging about them and the great sports stars that went to El Monte H.S., but he had me stumped when he started talking about Willie Shoemaker, the Hall of Fame Jockey, being an alum of El Monte H.S. I had always heard that Willie Shoemaker was from Texas, in fact there is a great story about how when he was born he was so small that they didn’t think he would survive so they put him in a shoebox and then put him in the oven to stay warm. Of course he did survive but he never got very big and later he would joke that he was the “smallest thing to ever come out of Texas”. Well turns out that we were both right, kind of. Willie Shoemaker was born in Fabens, Texas but was moved to California when he was ten years old. He attended what was then El Monte Union H.S. where he tried out for football and basketball but was to small, he weighed 80 lbs. but he did make the wrestling team and never lost a match. Early on he discovered a love for horse riding and would cut classes to go over to Santa Anita and do odd jobs around the stables finally quitting school when he turned 17 to become a Jockey and went on to win
8,833 races. Another guy that Greg brags about is Fred Lynn. I had to go over to the Historical Society and ask Donna Crippen if Greg was right about him. Yes, she said, in fact Donna told me that when Fred Lynn was going to school he was over at her house so much that they treated him like he was one of the family. Fred Lynn is probably best remembered for being the first Major League player to be named both Rookie of the Year and MVP in the same year which he did with the Boston Red’s. Thank you, Greg and Donna, for your knowledge and memories. This is the time of the year that we remember and honor our graduates. The El Monte Union High School District had a great year under the directions of their Board of Trustee’s and the leadership of Superintendent Dr. Zuniga. They have seen great progress in student graduation rates, they have achieved success in sports (shout out to Arroyo H.S. football season, El Monte High School Baseball League Championship, and success for South El Monte and Arroyo softball) and if any of you had the chance to get to South El Monte H.S.’s performance of “Seussical” you would agree that the District is providing/achieving excellence in every category. Congrats to all of our students ,teachers, and their families.
History Continues to Grow at Rio Hondo School Marshburn Heritage Farm Dedicated by Arlene Bury El Monte
On Tuesday, May 16, Potrero students were visited by stars of Disney and Nickelodeon. Stars in attendance included: Madisyn Shipman (Game Shakers, Nickelodeon), Gabe Eggerling (The Kicks, Disney), Landry Bender (Best Friends Whenever, Disney), Skai Jackson (Bunk’d, Disney), and Madison Hu (Bizaardvark, Disney). All of these stars are teen supporters of No Kid Hungry, a campaign through non-profit Share Our Strength that aims to ensure all kids get the healthy food they need. Share Our Strength team members Quin Shaw, Clay Dunn, and Taylor Moore expertly coordinated the event, alongside the EMCSD Child Nutrition Department. As a part of the event, the teen influencers visited Mrs. Rivera’s second grade class for Breakfast in the Classroom. They talked to students and played a nutrition game. Afterwards, they joined Mrs. Guzman, Mrs. McDonald, Mrs. Martinez, Mrs. Lopez Blanco, and all of the 1st grade
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Mid Valley News
students for a big breakfast celebration in the cafeteria. During the celebration, influencers highlighted the importance of the Breakfast in the Classroom program, talked about the importance of a healthy breakfast, and ate breakfast with the students. They also recognized 1st grader Esther Moc, who was the Potrero winner of the “My Perfect Breakfast” conMarshburn Farm continued on page 8
Courtesy Photo
Webb's Rules
Graduation by Eugene R. Webb
Graduation Day is a great thing to do. It’s also a day you’ve been looking forward to. At times you didn’t think this day would come; for get those bad days and think of all the fun. You took advantage of things offered in school; and did your homework by the rule. So your graduation day has finally arrived; look at all those years you have survived. You have done some wonderful work in the past; learning a lot by going from class to class. You still have a lot of living and work to do; good commonsense will see you through. Yes, education is a wonderful tool; we hope you’ll be able to go on to school. For some important jobs you need a degree; just keep in mind, nothing in life is free. So just continue to do your very best; and ask God to help with all the rest. Whatever you do make it worthwhile; success comes when you do it with a smile.
“Working Overtime”
Graduation and Moving on!
by Dick James El Monte I graduated from the Pasadena Playhouse with a B.S. in Theater Arts in 1958, I was 24 years old and a pretty good actor. I was getting T.V. parts and had performed in several plays at the Pasadena Playhouse and was staring to get parts around town. I was doing a play at the Player Ring in Hollywood with a friend of mine , Ann B. Davis (best known as Alice the maid in the Partridge Family), when she got the part of “Schultzy” in the Bob Cummings Show which launched her career. I had received great reviews for my portrayal of Andrew Crocker-Harris, a middle age Latin Professor in “The Browning Version” so I was a little discouraged when I was told that I would be cast in “Juvenile” parts into my forty’s. One night at a party I told my problem to Carol Channing and she suggested that I go apply for the job running the “freight” elevator at the Ambassador Hotel. She had heard
that the fellow who had the job had just got a part in a play in New York ( he was an actor) and that they would need someone. Although it was called the “freight” elevator, the only “freight” that it carried were celebrities who didn’t want to be seen going in and out of the hotel or that were performing there at the Coconut Grove. When I applied they ask me if I knew how to operate an elevator, I lied and said of course I did (remember, this was in the fifty’s when elevators would have an uniformed attendant who would sit there and run the elevator up and down and the skill was in reaching each floor evenly),my first guest was Liberace and his crew. He was polite as they got on but one of his dancers, a guy named “Gypsy” recognized me from a play and ask me what I was doing there which kind of scared Liberace, which in turn made me nervous so I had trouble lining the elevator up with the floor properly. Liberace finally screamed, ”Stop this elevator and let me out of here!” I did, he had to scramble up about three feet to get out with his crew after him. I don’t know if Liberace snitched on me , he probably did because I was taken out of the “ freight” elevator and given a job at the front desk and that is how I began my career in the hotel business, almost literally scaring the crap out of Liberace. Best wishes to all of our graduates out there.
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June 07, 2017
Mid Valley Sports
NBA Finals 2017: Warriors Up 2 - 0 by Mike Nelson, Contributing Writer El Monte
The NBA Finals kicked off last Thursday between the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Warriors won the first game of the series 113 to 91. They were led by Kevin Durant who had an amazing shooting night, he had 38 points and he shot 53 % from the Field. The Warriors were up 35 to 30 after the first quarter despite having their best
rebounder and defender Draymond Green in foul trouble very early in this game. Andre Iguodala hit a 3-point buzzer beater to cap off a good quarter for the Warriors. The Cavaliers were not playing their best basketball during that 1st quarter and they were turning the ball over too much, they ended up with 20 turnovers in the entire game. The Cavaliers were also allowing the Warriors to take too many wide open threepointers and jump shots. The 2nd quarter was a close battle, the Warriors scored 25 points, while the Cavaliers scored 22. The Cavaliers did a better job defensively in that quarter not letting the Warriors take easy shots and getting the rebounds when need be. Nonetheless, at halftime the Warriors led 60-52 at half and had to be feeling pretty good about themselves. Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant both seemed to be playing well and did not seem fazed by the 10 day layoff. The only concern for the Warriors at that point was Klay Thompson shooting, he had a terrible game, and he ended up with 6 points and 3 of 16 shooting from
the Field. T h e second half starts and the top is blown off from this game. An 8 point led is stretched to a 19 Courtesy photo point lead by the end of the 3rd quarter. The Warriors were firing on all cylinders, continuing the great shooting night as a team, they ended up shooting 36% from the 3 point line, which is average for the Warriors, but it still gets the job done most teams struggle to even shoot 30% from the 3 point line. LeBron James ended having a good game, he had 28 points at the end of the gamebut it wasn’t enough. The 4th quarter was essentially garbage time, with Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant resting most of the quarter while the Warriors were en route to this huge victory. Game 2 went the Warriors way again, they won big too, winning 132 to 113. The Cavaliers led early in the 1st quarter, leading 9 to 3 at one point. Kevin Love had a very good 1st quarter for the Cavaliers he ended up scoring 11 points in that quarter. The Warriors had Stephen Curry going off in that 1st quarter, he ended up with 32 points in the entire game, but he was also helped by the referees as well, he shot 14 free throws for the game and made all of them. At the end of the 1st quarter the score was Warriors 40 Cleveland 34 and you got the sense that the Cavaliers had to stop Curry or they were going to lose this game bad. The 2nd quarter for the Cavaliers was the best quarter of basketball that they have played in this entire series. They actually outscored the Warriors 30 to 27 in the quarter and the score was 67 to 64 at half and the Cavaliers actually looked like they had a shot at winning this game. LeBron James was dominant in this game, he had a triple double in this game, 29 points, 11 rebounds, 14 assists. He tied Magic Johnson with eight triple doubles in the Finals, a record James will surely break. James just continually went to the post and scored, he looked unstoppable at times, he only made one 3 pointer in the game so that shows what kind of game he had. Once again in the 2nd half the wheels came off
Courtesy photo
Courtesy photo
for the Cleveland Cavaliers. By the end of the 3rd quarter they trailed 102-88 and it was pretty much game over at that point. Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant really got going in the second half, they ended up with 22 points and 33 points respectively for the game. Again in the 4th quarter the starters rested and the Warriors were up 2-0, with a commanding 132 to 113 point win. The Cavaliers will have to play better defense and rebound the ball much better in Game 3, which will be Wednesday night at 6 pm local time. It is a must win for the Cavaliers, no team in the NBA has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit ever so LeBron James and the Cavs will have to leave it all on the court the next game or the Warriors will most likely be celebrating their 3rd ever NBA Championship.
Gospel Concert
Rosemead Christian Church will host a concert of gospel music on Saturday, June 10th at 6:00 PM. If you really enjoy gospel music, you will not want to miss this concert. The Redeemed 4 and other musical groups will be performing. The Church is located at 8705 E. Valley Blvd., Rosemead. Everyone is invited to join us for this special evening of gospel fun!
June 07, 2017
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Mid Valley News
into Summer Fun O SS S W CCRRO WO O RRDD
Sudoku
Crossword Puzzle solution in issue 06.21.17
Solution for Sudoku in issue 06.21.17
HIGH SCHOOL ACROSS 1. Native American pole 6. Gone by 9. Word often found on a door 13. Ancient stone slab with markings 14. PC brain 15. Hindu queen 16. Dose of medicine, pl. 17. Sinatra’s ____ Pack 18. LDS missionary 19. *Exclusive high school circle 21. *Goal of those four years 23. Break bread 24. Musical finale 25. A great distance away 28. Oscar of sports 30. Like Simon who met a pieman 35. Fleur-de-lis 37. Timeline divisions 39. Kick back 40. Offensively curious 41. Printer contents 43. General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 44. Change, as in Constitution 46. Actress Sorvino 47. Maple, to a botanist 48. Doctor’s tool 50. Roasting platform 52. #37 Across, sing. 53. Wry face 55. “____ Te Ching” 57. *Post-grad get-together 61. *Cap adornment 64. Bat dwelling? 65. *Pep rally syllable 67. Harassed 69. Thin mountain ridge 70. Rocks in a bar 71. Be of one mind 72. Surveyor’s map 73. *Adult involvement org. 74. Pine
DOWN 1. Recipe label 2. Ear-related 3. Be a snitch 4. Island off Manhattan 5. Courtly entertainment 6. Homesteader’s measurement 7. *Academic concern 8. Beat the Joneses 9. ____ Mall, London 10. Backward arrow command 11. Give an impression 12. Zeus’ sister and wife 15. *Taught to do this in shop class 20. Cinderella’s win 22. Dog tags 24. Peoples Temple poison 25. *End of semester assessment 26. Wafting pleasantness 27. Like Phoenix 29. *Junior ball 31. Prefix with phone 32. Person, thing or ____ 33. Sometime in the future 34. *____ credit 36. Pop group “’N ____” 38. “Que sera ____” 42. Yogurt-based dip 45. End 49. Likewise 51. Move sideways 54. Same as rip 56. Meryl Streep’s “August: ____ County” 57. Gather harvest 58. James ____ Jones 59. Eye part 60. As opposed to gross 61. Short for Theodora 62. Poet Pound 63. Lecherous look 66. *Pre-college challenge 68. Bear’s room Follow us @ MidValleyNews
Horoscope Aries
Libra
March 21st – April 19th
Sept 23rd – Oct 22nd
A spontaneous decision may require you to follow up with a more in-depth assessment of what you’ve gotten yourself into. Spontaneously volunteering your time to a project may feel good, but you might need to be more businesslike if you’re to gain some advantage from your efforts.
Taurus April 20th – May 20th
A bright idea could net you a bargain or entice you to do something for a good friend without asking anything in return. But you might want to research your options when it comes to taking risks, especially if you’re about to move into new territory. You may feel better if you know what’s coming rather than going with the flow and hoping for the best.
Gemini May 21st – June 20th
You may be very happy to share your ideas and personal opinions with others. Indeed, a flash of inspiration or a conversation with a friend could help you share your insights on social media and attract those who may be on the same wavelength. If you’re planning a social event or get-together, a more practical approach may be needed.
Cancer June 21st – July 22nd
- If certain issues seem to be holding you back and keeping you from making progress, the present blend of influences could encourage you to separate the various strands. It might be time to release the deep-seated emotions that consume a lot of your energy, especially if you’re trying to keep them from surfacing.
Leo July 23rd – Aug 22nd
- While you might relish the chance to go on a spontaneous trip, certain issues may need to be dealt with first. You can enjoy yourself, but a key aspect between Mercury and Pluto suggests it might not be wise to neglect one task if it means that you fall out of favor with a boss or other key figure.
Virgo Aug 23rd – Sept 22nd
- A deal struck on the spur of the moment may seem like a great idea, but is it really? If you’re to get the best out of it, then it could pay to do more homework. However, a lovely aspect could boost your confidence, giving you the inner assurance that you can handle whatever happens.
- This week it could pay to balance an impulsive mood with some dedicated fact finding. Just because an idea seems great at the time, it could have a disruptive influence on your life unless you consider the consequences. Don’t take everyone at their word over the weekend, though, as someone may be telling a small white lie.
Scorpio Oct 23rd – Nov 21st
The Sun in a sensitive sector of your chart could be a call to examine your deeper thoughts and feelings. This is also an opportunity to let go of those patterns of belief that may be limiting your ability to be as successful as you’d like.
Sagittarius Nov 22nd – Dec 21st
Fun plans may clash with your job or work commitments. But if you can find a way to delegate some tasks, it might be possible to get away. The cosmos urges you to be creative about finding ways to enjoy yourself without it costing a lot. You may find that with some lateral thinking you can enjoy an experience for free or very little. .
Capricorn Dec 22nd – Jan 19th
A new gadget could be a time-saver and provide great value for the money. When it comes to family relationships, you might need to put your feelings to one side and take a firmer approach to a certain matter. Although you may feel guilty about adopting this approach, it could be the best way ahead.
Aquarius Jan 20th – Feb 18th
- Leisure options can offer some exciting encounters and new experiences that could make the days ahead very upbeat. However, you might also feel a need for some quiet time in order to make a key decision. Your instincts can be a helpful guide here, too. Meanwhile, a very interesting conversation could be the start of a new and supportive friendship.
Pisces Feb 19th – March 20th
Be on guard against misunderstandings with family members or anyone who shares your home. A lack of communication could put a little bit of a distance between you and the other person. If you need some nurturing after a busy week, opt for a massage, spa day, or pampering session that will help you relax. You know you deserve it!
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Mid Valley News
Inspiration Continued from page 2
guide students in the right path. My message to my peers is that they should not take their parents’ efforts for granted, and that despite any obstacles, they must remain hopeful and focused. I know that my father hates his job, and thus I am seizing the opportunity to do a career that I love, while repaying him for all of his sacrifices. I will be attending Cal State LA in the fall of 2017 and be a part of their Honors College.
Leadership continued from page 2
thankful for everything my family has done to give me the opportunity to live in this country, and all the support they have given me. Throughout high school, I was truly able to open up and become a more social individual. I joined several clubs that taught me the value of time management and social communications. Being in cross-country and track has also shown me the value of
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El Monte, California 91731 (626) 443-1753 FAX (626) 443-2245 Display Advertising: midvalleynewssgv@gmail.com Publisher/: Mid Valley Multimedia Center Editor/ Feature Writer: Staff Asst. Editor/Designer/Social Media/ Photographer: Devette Johnson Community Development Liaison: Mike McClure Media Relations Specialist: Staff
Sports Editor:
Contributing Writers Glen Maldonado Andy Michaels Devette Johnson Michael McClure Mike Nelson Mid Valley Multimedia Center, LLC, all contents here in are copyrighted and may not be reproduce in any manner, either in whole or in part, without the expressed written consent of the publisher. The views and opinions expressed in this paper are not necessarily that of the management and staff of Mid Valley Multimedia Center, LLC. Adjudicated as a paper of general circulation in the City of El Monte, County of Los Angeles Superior Court, Nov. 7 1973. No. C68383 official paper for the County of Los Angeles, Adjudicated on general circulation Los Angeles July 18, 1992, No. BS016380
I will be giving back to my community along the way through my friendship and service. Knowing that I will soon become a first generational college student brings extreme happiness and confidence to my existence. I hope to inspire my older siblings so that they, too, pursue a higher education. Though I am deeply saddened to leave my beloved Panther family, knowing that my friends are off to construct their own futures fills me up with calmness and excitement. I will revisit Rosemead High in the near future, and who knows, perhaps even teach there! friendship, teamwork, and most of all the importance of improving myself. I gained valuable leadership skills as a Link Crew mentor and Vice President of S.A.V.E. As a leader, I learned that although leadership is an important aspect of leading, creating an environment where everyone is comfortable in expressing themselves was just as important. I would like to thank the many teachers, especially Ms. Ban, for always encouraging me to dream and believe in myself. For Mr. Oo for being a caring and intelligent individual that showed me the value of respect and persevering. Although these are just a few, I want to acknowledge every teacher I’ve had because every one of them has had an impact in the development of my character today. Most of all I would like to thank my friends, Lisa, Alex, and Ivy, for providing support and laughs when I needed them the most. I have learned to always be willing to help and I wish to pursue a higher education in medicine at the Johns Hopkins University this fall, so that I too can give back to anyone and everyone I can.
9000 Students continued from page 2
district,” proudly stated Sauceda. By being the student advisory member, she plans to make a difference in the schools and she cares about the students being heard and she will be their voice. Her job is to attend monthly board meetings and give input from the perspective of the students.
June 07, 2017
Volunteers
“As volunteers you continued from page 1 are an integral part of the Mountain View team and your time and services contribute greatly to the success of our
schools and district,” said Carranza. “Your work and feedback is incredibly important and on behalf of the Board of Education thank you for what you do.”
Twin Lakes Volunteers honored by Mt. View School District. Courtesy Photo
Bronco Continued from page 3
and senior club as part of her extracurricular activities. “My favorite memory at Mountain View is joining ASB and meeting my boyfriend [senior] Alex Amado.” Throughout her time at Mountain View, she said her friends supported her the most. When it came to home-
Marshburn Farm continued from page 5
test hosted during March’s National School Breakfast Week. The Potrero Child Nutrition Team of Gloria Bonilla, Velia Diaz, Maria Gamboa, and Alma Gasca prepared Esther’s breakfast, which consisted of French toast sticks, grapes, orange juice, and milk. Even Ester’s dad showed up to enjoy the breakfast alongside Superintendant Dr. Garcia and her team. The Potrero community was out in force,
work and schoolwork, they always lent a helping hand. “They help me all the time; they helped me fill out my college applications,” said Castillo. “My advice for future seniors is to not slack off. Worry about your schoolwork.” Ed Note: This article is reproduced with permission of the authors, Mt. View High School, and El Monte Union High School District
and celebrated alongside Principal Dr. Teresa Pinedo and Vice Principal Doris Tran. It was a morning filled with smiles and positive energy. The cafeteria looked beautiful thanks to decorations by Potrero parent and family volunteers. Decorations also included Disney-themed fruit centerpieces prepared by the Child Nutrition Catering Department. Overall, the event was a beautiful example of teamwork, and a great reminder that every day should start with a healthy breakfast.
Pub note: This article originally appeared in Knight’s Banner: The Student News Site of Arroyo High School and is reprinted with permission from Arroyo High School and the El Monte Union High School District. Courtesy photos
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