June 2012
www.lakewoodnews.org
New marquee at Bellflower High School By Bill Ste. Marie, Alumni Coordinator
When Bellflower High School construction began back in 1950 the community saw the development of a uniquely modern educational facility. Sprawling out over some 56 acres, citizens of Bellflower began to realize this as a point of pride in our community. Today, with its pristinely maintained campus, manicured lawns, foliage and trees, combined with its ever increasing high standards of academic excellence, the campus remains a point of pride in our community. Alongside the continued increase in academic performance, the campus remains today, in appearance, a modern educational facility. Approximately six years ago, the current principal, Mr. Joe Perry, established a goal to
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complement this image by adding a new marquee. Mr. Perry wanted the community and students to have a stronger sense of pride even before they entered the campus. With that in mind, the task of bringing a new marquee to the main entrance to the campus became a goal. Today that goal has become a reality with the addition of a new and up-to-date electronic, computerized marquee. It is important to note that this endeavor was not only to be unique in its appearance and function, but a frugal fiscal venture as well. In these times of extreme budgetary difficulties where most administrators are looking at what to cut, Mr. Perry had a goal to give us all a new point of pride at Bellflower High School, and accomplish it all through donations
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to avoid spending a single penny of the district or school’s funds. As a result, donations from large corporations, local businesses, and most importantly, individual concerned citizens and alumni, have resulted in the funding necessary to completely cover the cost of the new marquee. This new marquee most assuredly demonstrates what can be done when the setting of goals is combined with the will and determination to achieve them. Principal Joe Perry stated, “Without a doubt, the generosity of those who made this project possible through their generous donations stands as a shining example of the pride and dedication our community and our alumni have for Bellflower High School.”
Congratulations to the Class of 2012!
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Pan Am Association awards 11 scholarships
The Lakewood Pan American Association awarded $10,000 in Pan American Ambassador scholarships to 11 local students at its recent El Comienzo Luncheon at The Centre at Sycamore Plaza. The event is a collaborative effort of the City of Lakewood, the Pan American Association and the members of the Rotary Club of Lakewood. The luncheon celebrates the beginning of Pan American Festival events including a poetry and poster contest and three-day fiesta at Mayfair Park. Scholarship winners in photo include: Caleb Andrew Gilliam from Petra Christian Academy; Citlalli Gonzalez from Mayfair High School; Alexandro Guerrero and David McQuillin from Lakewood High School; Nicholas Rainier (not shown) and Violet Ranson from Long Beach Poly High School; Margaret Castillo, Taylor Cratty, Sean Gutierrez, Mary McVey and Kaitlin Wood from St. Joseph High School. Also in photo, from left: Vice Mayor Steve Croft and scholarship chairperson, Mayor Diane DuBois. In photo from right: Council Member Larry Van Nostran and Council Member Todd Rogers. Also pictured are Pan American Association members Joe Arambel, Winnie Heiss, Kathy Clark and Vivian Schultz. (A memorial scholarship is named after her husband, David Schultz.)