FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 880 S. Lemon Avenue
May 31, 2016 Walnut, CA 91789
Contact:
Kelli Gile, Office of Community Resources
(909) 595-1261 ext. 31204
WVUSD Board Recognizes Young Artists, Star Students, and Community Partners
WALNUT, CA—Walnut Valley Unified School District (WVUSD) Board of Trustees honored a large group of exceptional students and parents during the May 18 meeting.
Twenty-seven children representing all nine elementary schools were lauded as winners in the nationwide Music K-8 Magazine Cover Contest. Music Specialist Judy Brunelle introduced the talented 5th grade artists who received certificates of special recognition and color prints of their original designs. This year’s top WVUSD winner is 1st Runner-Up Michael Wu from Walnut Elementary. Top Finalists are May Chaisakulchai, Stepanie Wong, Winnie Chang, Katherine Viala, and Hanna Wu. Finalists are Susanna Wang, Ryan Chung, Jasmine Matsuda, Masyn Ramos-Johns, Susan Wang, Catherine Zhang, Jessica Wang, Leticia Camberos, Jillian Wong, Ashley Len Bouey, and Emily Kwok. Honorable Mention Awards: Rohit Bishoyi, Jessica Rojas, Tammi Lin, Hannah Jang, Talyah Ejan, Luke Lee, Rachel Lee, Michelle Chan, Ryan Kung, and Olivia Gagar.
Diamond Bar High School senior Jordan Osmena received the Super Star Student Award.
Jordan received rave reviews as the innkeeper in the school’s production of “Les Miserables.”
“Sometimes someone catches fire and that’s what happened this year,” said interim principal Denis Paul about the first year drama student had never acted before.
“Jordan found his niche!”
Parent Rachel Chang was honored with the Partner in Education Award.
“This past year, Rachel was the chairperson of our Magnificent 7 parent organization. She ruled with a velvet glove!” Paul added.
The dedicated volunteer serves as a liaison for translating information and has the ability to make sure that everyone has a voice during meetings. Next year, Rachel will step into a new role as president of the Korean American Parents Association.
Walnut High School senior Nia Phillips-Johnson received the Super Star Student Award.
“Nia came to Walnut this year halfway through the semester and hit the ground running,” said Principal Brandon Dade.
The hard-working student successfully took seven Advanced Placement courses, completed over 280 credits, and has been accepted to Loyola Marymount University.
“Her character, perseverance, and the positive relationships she has with other people will be her legacy at Walnut High,” Dade added.
The Zhan Family received the Partner in Education Award for their efforts in meeting the needs of Walnut High students. Through several financial donations, totaling $13,000, the school has been able to purchase clothing, holiday gift baskets, gift cards, and additional items. “These items have helped break down financial barriers so that our students can enjoy their high school experience,” said Dade.
Several outstanding groups of high school students were honored with special awards.
Diamond Bar High School: The Math Team was recognized as Division IIE national Math Madness champions and California Math League 1st place winners. Science Bowl team took 1st place in California and 3rd place in division at the national competition. Girls Basketball received two 1st Team All-CIF awards, and competed in quarterfinals for the first time in 20 years. Boys Golf won the Palomares league championship. The CIF championship Badminton team has been undefeated for the past five years. Color Guard placed 15th nationally, won the northern and southern California regionals, and are two-time state parade champions with Band. Band also won its second state championship, All-State, and All-Southern awards led by drum major junior Becky Kim, who is an All-State, All-Southern, and nationally ranked clarinetist. Next year, two-time state champion drum major has the chance to be first-ever three-time state champion!
Walnut High School: Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) ranked 3rd in the state for the second year in a row, Harrison Li took 1st place in Accounting 1 and 2, Fond Kuo, Matt McBride won 1st place in the David Bowie Digital Production, and 25 students qualified for nationals. All five choirs received Superior rating at festivals. Chamber Singers received national recognition for the second year in a row as a Heritage Festival gold-rated group, received 1st place in the Chamber choir division at a San Francisco festival, named Top Choir in all divisions, received Adjudicator’s Award, Gold Award, Outstanding Soloist award for Dana Hernandez; and five students were named to the All-State Honor Choir and ACSA Western Division Honor Choirs. Girls Golf was recognized as CIF champions and wrestler Mia Dow as a three-time CIF champion and 3rd in the state.
Shown:
Trustees honored the District’s top winners in the 2016 Music K-8 Cover Contest. Shown with Music teacher Judy Brunelle and Board President Helen Hall.
Finalists in the Music K-8 Cover Contest were recognized by the Board of Trustees on May 18. Shown with Board President Helen Hall.
Board of Trustees honored the District’s Honorable Mention winners in the Music K-8 Cover Contest. Shown with Board President Helen Hall.
Diamond Bar High School senior Jordan Osmena was lauded as a Super Star Student. Shown with Board President Helen Hall.
Diamond Bar High School parent Rachel Chang received the Partner in Education Award.
Walnut High senior Nia Phillips-Johnson received the Super Star Student Award. Shown with Principal Brandon Dade, and Board President Helen Hall.
Walnut High School parents Jim and Liying Ding Zhan were honored with the Partner in Education Award. Shown: Queenie Truong accepted for the family, with Principal Brandon Dade, and Board President Helen Hall.
Diamond Bar High’s Math team won the National Math Madness competition. Shown Benjamin Chen, Sabrina Tseng, Willam He, Hank Wai, Peyrin Kao, Bernard Chen, Jeff Chow, Rajvir Dua, Peter Thompson, Christine Zhou, Zijun Lin, Felix Su, Darin Chang, David Mao, Eric Jia, Edward Yang, Timothy Yeh, Kathy Tong, Miriam Sun, Kevin Gu, Allen Yun, Jeffrey Siu, William Ho, Ava Wu, Armaan Kohli, with advisor Jimmy Kuo, and Board President Helen Hall.
Diamond Bar High Science Bowl team won the state championship and placed third in the nation. Shown: Benjamin Chen, Brandon Hung, Leslie Sim, Miriam Sun, Jeff Chow, with advisor Jose Marquez
Diamond Bar High Girls Basketball player Julianna Gamboa took 1st Team All CIF, 1st Team All San Gabriel Valley, and 1st Team All Inland Valley honors. Shown with coach Tony McCabe and Board President Helen Hall.
DBHS Boys Golf Team won the Palamares League Championship. Shown: Josh Song, Dylan Stone, with coach Tony McCabe, and Board President Helen Hall.
Diamond Bar High School’s Girls Golf team took the Palamares League championship and CIF Runner-Up award. Shown: Coach Tony McCabe, Jasmine Zhang, and MVP Kailee Vongsaga, with Board President Helen Hall.
Diamond Bar High School’s CIF Champion Badminton team was honored by the Board of Trustees on May 18. Shown: Sabrina Chen, Jasmine Huang, Mirabelle Huang, Kristine Martinez, Miriam Sun, Megan Tsui, Crystal Wai, Gwen Wang, Samantha Yang, Lucy Zhang, Angela Zhang, Kevin Bao, Vinson Chiu, Jeff Chow, Angrew Gao, Hanson Gao, Will He, Daniel Huang, Samuel Huang, Brenton Hwee, Ian Lam, Justin Lam, Joshe Lee, Kent Liu, Ambrose So, Tianyi Zhang, with assistant coach Tisha Shaver, and Board President Helen Hall.
Brahma Band and Color Guard state champions were honored by the WVUSD Board of Trustees. Shown: Director Steve Acciani, drum major Becky Kim, Color Guard member Josephine Ngo, with Board President Helen Hall.
Walnut High’s award-winning FBLA team was recognized during the Board Meeting. Shown students Alvin Li, Anton Yeung, Harrison Li, Fong Kuo, and Matthew McBride, with Principal Brandon Dade and Board President Helen Hall.
Walnut HS Chamber Singers received special recognition by the Board of Trustees on May 18. Shown: Vincent Jodjana, Melody Kuan, Eugene Lo, Austin Si, Matthew Huang, Dana Hernandez, with Principal Brandon Dade, Director Lisa Lopez, and Board President Helen Hall.
Walnut HS Girls Golf was honored as CIF Champions by the WVUSD Board of Trustees. Shown: Alison Chang, Abigail Wiranatha, Annabelle Chang, Trussy Li, Katherine Muzi, Keisha Lugito, Preciious Saelee, Catherine Yu, and Micelle Xi with coach Cecil Woods, Principal Brandon Dade, Athletic Director Jerry Person, and Board President Helen Hall.
Walnut High CIF champion wrestler Mia Dow was honored by the Board of Trustees on May 18. Shown with Athletic Director Jerry Person, Principal Brandon Dade, coaches Cecil Sebastian, Darrel Sebastian, and Board President Helen Hall.
Trustees honored WHS senior Tiffany Casarez and DBHS senior Monica Lin for their service as Board Representatives during the 2015-16 school year. Shown: Tiffany Casarez with Board President Helen Hall.