Watch Nogales High in the Macy’s parade!

While everyone is preparing or enjoying their meal this morning for Thanksgiving, Nogales High School Noble Regiment Band is geared up and ready for their performance in the 82nd Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York.

The La Puente school band is one of only 10 bands taking part, and the only west coast school band.  140 student band members will be led by band director Brad Pollock performing “Mambo” from West Side Story. 

The telecast of the parade begins at 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in each U.S. time zone.  The students practiced over 7,500 hours, about 312 days straight, to prepare for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

They were able to raise funds to fly the 140 students as well as transport cross country by semi-truck the more than 1,000 instruments, 140 uniforms, two ATV vehicles, and other supplies. 

Nogales is scheduled as the seventh band to perform. For more information on the parade, including the parade line- up, visit www.macysparade.com.

Grandparents day at Los Altos and Palm Schools

Grandparents will be front and center at Los Altos and Palm Elementary Schools in Hacienda Heights. Both schools are holding Grandparents Day on Tuesday.

Los Altos will also have a special PTA fundraiser called Whip Cream the Teacher at 2 p.m. With this economy everyone has to chip in.

Kwis Elementary will hold its Student-of-the-Month Awards and College Spirit Day in the Cafeteria from 9:00-11:00 a.m.

Los Robles holds a ” Kinder Thanksgiving Show,” in the Cafeteria at 8:30 a.m.

Valinda offers a “Valiant of the Month” Assembly on the Blacktop at 8:05 a.m.

Workman Elementary will enjoy a performance by the “Tarradiddle Players” from Mt. SAC, Cafeteria at 9 a.m.

Student panel: The spirit of Thanksgiving

Question: Do you think the spirit of Thanksgiving is alive and well in today’s world?

Katie Montemayor, 17, Glendora High School
I do believe the Thanksgiving spirit is alive and well. For me, not only do I experience this with my family and friends but with my community. Glendora is extremely generous to the less fortunate. Not only is this generosity exhibited in the local churches and schools but through the Glendora Police Department and local hospitals and furthermore by the local citizens who keep the warmth of love and community alive.

Derek Klena, 17, South Hills High School
I think that Thanksgiving is still well celebrated. Family members and college students from across the nation still come home for the traditional turkey and stuffing dinner. It is a occasion for gathering and for being thankful for all that we have and I think it is necessary for keeping our nation as well as our families united. People still and always will enjoy this family holiday.

Kasey Haas, 16, Glendora High School
Most people who celebrate Thanksgiving don’t know how it really originated. Most people are under the common misconception that it was when the pilgrims and the Native Americans came together peacefully, gave thanks, and ate a large meal. In reality, Thanksgiving has nothing to do with that. The spirit of Thanksgiving isn’t alive and well in today’s world because the majority of people don’t understand the true history behind it.

Amanda McCraven, 14, La Verne Lutheran High School
Yes, the spirit of Thanksgiving is still alive because we have things like the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade and other celebrations. Also, people still get together for Thanksgivng celebrations and to give thanks for what they have. Kids at school have feasts and dress up like Native Americans and pilgrims.

Nicholas Kuche, 16, Covina High School
What is the meaning of thanksgiving? Thanksgiving is a time when families come together, sometimes despite vast distances, to share a meal. This happens all over our nation. So I believe that the spirt and tradition of Thanksgiving is alive and well in our country.

Crab Shack and parent institute graduation

Come support Hurley Elementary School in La Puente as they raise money for their Wonder of Reading Library.  Dine at Joe’s Crab Shack tonight from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and it will donate 10 percent of your check to the school.
 
Joe’s Crab Shack is located in the Puente Hills Mall at 1420 S. Azusa Ave., Industry.                                    

Nogales High School will hold a Parent Institute Graduation tonight from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Manor. The speaker is M. Michael Ortiz, president of Cal Poly, Pomona. 

Gun found in La Puente classroom

Police arrested a science teacher at La Puente High School after a gun was found in his classroom.

Vahe Khachatourian, 37, was arrested by Hacienda La Puente Unified School District Police Monday afternoon. Police dogs discovered the gun in a locked box.

District officials are mum about the investigation and won’t release any details about Khachatourian. Students say he is a good teacher who likes to collect guns.

Khachatourian is expected to appear in court Wednesday morning.

Read full story here 

Field show tournament at Los Altos

The Los Altos High School Entertainment Unit will host its 40th annual field show tournament this Saturday, Nov. 15. This is one of the longest-running tournaments in the western United States.

 In honor of the 40th anniversary, former band directors and booster presidents will be honored prior to the evening awards ceremony. All band alumni are encouraged to attend.

Past band directors Don Gunderson, Mark Gunderson and Rick Naylor are expected to attend. Past Band Booster Presidents Edna Moore, Laura Ceniceros, Margaret Barrera, Vince Solorzano and David Crain will also be present.

The competition takes place in the Patrick Mauch Memorial Stadium, located on the Los Altos campus at 15325 E. Los Robles Ave. in Hacienda Heights. The event begins at 11 a.m. and concludes with the final awards ceremony at 9 p.m.

Admission is $8 for adults and $5 for seniors, children 6 and up, and students with ID.
Children under 6 are free.

More than 30 high schools will compete in divisions 1A to 6A. Local bands from Wilson, La Puente, La Mirada, Whittier, Baldwin Park, Rowland and Diamond Bar High Schools will participate.

The 140 members of the Los Altos Entertainment Unit will give an exhibition performance of their 2008 show titled “Echoes of Spain.”

For information, call the Los Altos Band Office at (626) 934-5445.