FALL ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT SPECIAL SECTION! BUSINESS PROFILE Family Affair Music: ‘Oldies, but Goodies’ Page 9
EDUCATION An Appreciation for Nature Page 15
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SPORTS La Salle Gets 44-6 Win Over Muir Page 23
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Thursday, September 22, 2016 - September 28, 2016
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MONROVIA KINDERGARTENER DRAFTED INTO USC WOMEN’S SOCCER TEAM
COMPLIMENTARY COPY VOLUME 20, NO. 38
BY TERRY MILLER
Sofia L. with USC midfielder Nicole Molen.
– Photo courtesy USC
Soccer (football) is really catching on in America in a big way … especially women’s soccer. So when we recently heard of a 5-year-old girl being drafted to UCS Women’s Soccer, we did a double take. At 21-months-old, Monroe Elementary kindergartener Sofia L. was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), the most common type of blood cancer found in children. She went through three years of chemotherapy daily, had another type of chemo weekly, and a third type of chemo monthly. The chemo worked, but now she is battling numerous side-effects. She has a very weak immune system and gets sick easily. She is just starting to get involved with activities. However, this determined young lady, Sofia, was recently drafted to the USC Women’s Soccer Team through Team IMPACT, an organization whose mission is to improve the quality of life for children facing life-threatening and chronic illnesses through the power of team. On Sept. 11, Sofia was drafted as a full member of team, attending practice, games, and additional team building activities. Team IMPACT works with more than 430 universities across the country and just recently announced their 1,000th match! “Unfortunately, Sofia hasn’t been allowed to play any kind of sports because of immune system complications and chemo. Thanks to the time with USC women’s soccer and Team IMPACT, Sofia has become more appreciative of the sport.” - Being involved in Team IMPACT and the USC Soccer team: According to Sophia’s mom, Letty, “Sofia attended an LA Sparks game with the team and she was so happy SEE PAGE 8
BY PAM FITZPATRICK
Old Town Report When I walk around Old Town on Mondays, I try not to get the “heebeegeebees.” So many “Closed” signs, so many lost opportunities, I’m thinking. Malls aren’t closed on Mondays and, goodness knows, we don’t want folks flocking to the malls on Mondays (or any other days). But realistically, small business owners aren’t robots and most of us don’t have many (some not any) employees, SEE PAGE 8
LA Country District Teachers of the Year Select One of Monrovia’s Finest, Jennifer Tubbs The Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) announced on Friday the 16 County Teachers of the Year, who represent the best among the 75,000 K-12 educators of our county. The top 16 were presented by LACOE Superintendent Debra Duardo on Sept. 16 at the Hilton Universal City as outstanding educators who have served with praiseworthy distinction. Judged as the county’s top public school teachers SEE PAGE 8