Walnut High’s Garrett Lim joins All-Star Teachers at All-Star Game

Walnut High teacher Garrett Lim waves from All-Star Teachers trolley in All-Star parade.
Walnut High teacher Garrett Lim waves from All-Star Teachers trolley in All-Star parade.

Walnut’s very own Garrett Lim took to the field Tuesday for Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game in Minneapolis. Kim doesn’t play for the Dodgers, the Angels or even the Pittsburgh Pirates.

But still, the 34-year-old marched onto the field to the cheers of thousands of fans. Lim was one of 30 All-Star Teachers selected by Target, People magazine and MLB.

The campaign honors outstanding teachers who make a real impact in the lives of their students.

“This is an awesome tribute to Garrett as he represents all educators at the Midsummer Classic,” said Walnut High Principal Jeff Jordan. “Garrett is truly one of Walnut’s finest.”

Lim was treated as a VIP during the All-Star activities. He and his wife enjoyed a four-day trip to Minnesota, with all expenses paid.

“We were part of the pre-game parade, too,” Lim said. “It was overwhelming to see so many people lining the streets and cheering.”

They even stayed at the same hotel housing the baseball players. Lim met several in the elevators and lobby.

“I got to meet Cal Ripken at a special reception held for the teachers,” Lim said. The Walnut resident even had his photo taken with the Baltimore Orioles legend. He also met Baseball Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith.

All of which was great for a big baseball fan like Lim. A passion that he shares with his students at Walnut High.

Read more in Rich Irwin’s story ALL-STAR.

Diamond Bar freshman selected for Math Olympiad program.

Diamond Bar Freshman Benjamin Chen is among a very small group of about 53 students (from the original pool of over 210,000 American Mathematics Competition participants) invited to take part in the 2014 Mathematical Olympiad Summer Program.  This year’s program will be held on the campus of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

The purpose of the program is to broaden the participants’ view of mathematics and foster their excitement toward further study.  It will better prepares students for possible future participation on our International Mathematical Olympiad team as well as for possible careers involving mathematics.

Walnut High designs academic program

We’ve all heard of the Grand Design, leaving us to wonder what kind of world we would design if we were given the opportunity.

Sophomores at Walnut High are taking the time to design their own domains in the school’s new Academic Design Program. It’s part and parcel of the program that asks students to learn through hands-on problem-solving.

The teens aren’t given the answers to their worldly problems, they have to uncover the answers on their own. And so it was with a little trepidation that we stepped into their domain last week.

School officials say 75 sophomores volunteered for the innovative program that has proven successful in other Walnut Valley schools such as Chaparral Middle School in Diamond Bar.

Read more in Rich Irwin’s story DESIGN

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Valentine’s Dinner Dance and Comedy Fiesta

The Basketball and Baseball Parent Boosters of Don Bosco High School, along with Latino Comedian Ernie G and his Comedy Fiesta! proudly present the 1st annual Valentines Dinner Dance and Comedy Fiesta, event at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 15 inside Tech Hall at Don Bosco, 1151 San Gabriel Blvd., Rosemead.

All proceeds from the event will benefit Don Bosco basketball and baseball programs. The event will feature comedian Ernie G who has performed his “Empowerment Comedian” show at other school events and fundraisers.

A graduate of Loyola Marymount University with a degree in Psychology and minor in Chicano Studies, Ernie has performed his own unique form of stand-up comedy he calls “Latino Edu-tainment – Educating and Entertaining with a Latin Flavor” at colleges, universities and schools throughout the country.

The fundraising event will feature Latino comedy favorites Sal Rodriguez and G. Reilly as well as the “Suburban Cowboy” Eric Schwartz with Ernie hosting. 

All ages are welcome, although parental discretion is advised for the PG-13 show. The Dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. with the comedy show starting at 8 p.m. and dancing to follow.

Tickets are $35 which includes dinner, show and dancing or $20 for the show only. For more information or for tickets, call (323) 935-4242 or the school at (626) 940-2000.