Summer Arts Academy ends with singing, dancing and art in Rowland Unified

The Summer Arts Academy celebrated the first days of summer with its annual arts showcase at Hollingworth Elementary in West Covina. The students were doing their final rehearsals before the big show last week for friends and family.

The Rowland Unified students were in fine voice as they rehearsed their musical numbers. Others were mounting the student artwork in a large exhibit in the hallway.

The kids had the “Eye of the Tiger” as they launched into one of their big numbers. Though the choreographed tiger claws were a little scary.

Three college students watched closely as their students roared through the pop song. Rebeka Joson, 19, and her 21-year-old brother, Matthew, had been working with the Rowland students for the past three weeks in the popular summer program.

Matthew knows his stagecraft, finishing his first year with the Young Americans show group. The local singer performed in three of their productions last year.

The Rowland High grad was back to share his expertise with the younger students. He was also helped by Erika Larracas, a 21-year-old communications major at Cal State Long Beach.

“I enjoy working with the youngsters, they’re lots of fun to work with,” Joson said.

The Summer Arts Academy was held June 9-27 for elementary students. Classes were held weekday mornings from 8 a.m. to noon.

Read more in Rich Irwin’s story ARTS.

Rowland Unified offers bus transportation to town hall meeting tonight

Rowland Unified will offer bus transportation to the Town Hall meeting tonight from selected school sites. The Rowland Board of Education invites the community to share their input on the characteristics desired in the next superintendent. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. in Telesis Academy, 2800 E. Hollingworth Street, West Covina.

BUS TRANSPORTATION PICK UP TIMES

(Transportation for Adults Only Due to Limited Space.)

Hurley             4:45 p.m. 

Northam        5:00 p.m.

Yorbita            5:15 p.m.

La Seda/Santana HS   5:20 p.m.

Rorimer          5:30 p.m.

After Meeting Buses will Return to Schools.

*ONLINE SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH SURVEY: The Board of Education also invites all RUSD employees and community members to provide their feedback by taking part in the Online Superintendent Search survey through May 25. It is available in English, Chinese, Korean and Spanish. **Click HERE.**

 

Nogales High grads named Gates Millennium Scholars

Nogales grads Alberto Jeronimo, Maria Ortiz and Kimberly Cardenas have been named Gates Millenium Scholars. (Photo by Gina Ward, Courtesy of Rowland Unified )

Nogales grads Alberto Jeronimo, Maria Ortiz and Kimberly Cardenas have been named Gates Millenium Scholars. (Photo by Gina Ward, Courtesy of Rowland Unified )

They’re thinking doctorates. While other high school graduates are considering bachelor’s degrees at local colleges, three Nogales grads are planning advanced degrees at the best universities in the world.

The three have been named Gates Millennium Scholars. The program selects 1,000 talented students every year for a scholarship to the college of their choice. The prestigious scholarships pay for tuition, books and meals, as well as travel assistance to visit their families.

“I want to become a doctor – now I can afford to go to college and then medical school,” said Alberto Jeronimo of West Covina. “I’ll be studying premed at Berkeley.”

The 18-year-old comes from an immigrant family. Alberto was inspired to succeed by his father, who came here from Mexico to make a better life.

“We couldn’t have done this without our counselor (Sara) Hall,” Alberto noted. “She wrote our nominations and recommendations, helping us through the scholarship process.”

The Nobles had to write nine essays to become Millennium scholars. They also had to have a minimum 3.33 GPA, though many like Alberto have a 4.5. All three Nogales teens are candidates for International Baccalaureate Diplomas and rank in the top 10 of their graduating class.

“This means more than just going to college for me,” explained Kimberly Cardenas of La Puente. “I will be the first in my family to attend an American university.”

Read more in Rich Irwin’s story GATES.