Los Altos honors scholars

Los Altos High School hosted its annual Academic Scholar Awards on Oct. 29.

This recognition ceremony was coordinated by Laura DeLadurantey, Assistant Principal of Instruction, and her secretary Penny Belair.

There were two levels of recognition. A District Scholar must achieve a 3.8 Grade Point Average (GPA) or above. A School Scholar must earn a 3.5 GPA lor above.

The awards were for academic performance by the present seniors, juniors and sophomores for last year.

Scholarships light lives

Help fund scholarships for local students.

The Walnut Valley Women’s Club begins its annual Scholarship Tree of Lights fundraiser on Friday,  Oct. 31. The money will be used for scholarships for seniors at Walnut High School, Nogales High School in La Puente and Ron Hockwalt Academy in Walnut.

This year’s goal is $10,000. The club offers sponsorships of ornaments for $10 and lights for $5 that will decorate the Christmas tree at Fire Station 61, on the corner of Lemon and La Puente Roads.

Except for Thanksgiving weekend, sales take place on Fridays and Saturdays through Dec. 6 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays outside the Vons supermarket located on the corner of Lemon and La Puente Roads.

Ornaments are hand-made by club members. Donations may also be sent to Walnut Valley Women’s Club, P.O. Box 563, Walnut, CA 91788-0563.

Poe-Dunked in Diamond Bar

South Pointe Middle School Drama Department will perform “Poe-Dunked,” a comedy about the life of Edgar Allen Poe. The show begins at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 30, in the school’s multipurpose room. 

Tickets are $4 for adults and $3 for students. South Pointe is at 20671 Larkstone Ave. in Diamond Bar. For tickets and information, contact drama teacher Robin Wadsworth at (909) 595-8171, Ext. 57192.

CHP visits Lassalette

If you see the California Highway Patrol outside Lassalette Middle School in La Puente don’t get excited. The officers are special guests at a Red Ribbon Assembly at the school at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Grazide Elementary in Hacienda Heights will present a “Magic Show against Drugs” The shows will be held at 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. in the cafeteria.

Later, Glenelder Elementary in Hacienda Heights will hold its Red Ribbon Assembly on the playground at 9:15 a.m.

Los Altos High holds its School and District Honors Assembly in the Gym at 7 a.m.

Student panel: Has economy affected your post-high school plans?

Question: “How has the downturn in the U.S. economy affected you or your post-high school plans?”

Join the discussion. Post a comment with your answer to this week’s question.

Katie Montemayor 17 Glendora High:
Personally, I have not been affected in a noticeable way by the economy, thank goodness. However, it has affected my post-high school plans because now it is harder to receive funding from banks. I have to look into more scholarships, which are now more competitive and bogged down by applicants, making standing out extremely difficult.

Taylor Moncrief, 16, Diamond Bar High School:
The economic downturn hasn’t really affected me, yet. My parents keep talking about cutting back on presents for the holidays, but they say that every year. College may be harder to get into, because people go back to school when economic hard times hit.

Derek Klena, 17, South Hills High School:
The downturn in our economy will have an effect on many people and their post-high school plans. College selection might be different because of the expenses involved. There most likely will be more people applying for scholarships and financial aid, which will make things even more competitive. In addition, high school and college graduates alike are having trouble finding jobs because of the countless layoffs and lack of hiring of struggling businesses.

Amanda McCraven, 14, La Verne Lutheran High School:
Since the economy has had a downturn, my plan for college has changed from going directly to a four-year university to attending a community college and then transferring because community colleges are more affordable and they offer the same quality education.

Nicholas Kuche, 16, Covina High School:
With the economy being in an extreme low, students are anything but anxious about leaving high school. Those who already have jobs don’t have as many worries. But of the unfortunate majority who are unemployed, college might have to wait a few years after their graduation. The economy has made it extremely difficult for students to rent a house or car. And college tuition is extremely expensive, which can put a halt to some students’ plans to go straight to a four-year college or university.

Kasey Haas, 16, Glendora High School:
Fortunately, my parents have been saving for college my whole life. But is has affected what I do for fun. My friends and I now have to seek for alternatives to what we used to do when everyone was more affluent. Our past times are becoming increasingly less expensive to correspond with the current economy.