Sports
Education
Champions page 4
Chalk Talk, page 2 - 3
The Community Paper of Record
Vol . 5, N
o . 05
S er vi n g t h e S an G ab r iel Valley S in c e 196
Mar c h 07
, 2018
P ar k vi ew S c h ol ’ s 43 r d A n n u al A m er ic an ism P ar ade by M. Earle El Monte
“Songs of America” was the theme for Parkview Elementary School’s 43rd Annual Americanism Parade featuring a parade line-up of enthusiastically patriotic students, marching bands and distinguished guests. Proudly decked out in red, white and blue and enthusiastically waving American Flags and signs paying tribute to their great country, Parkview’s transitional kindergarten through 6th grade students marched by classroom down Elliott Street, singing patriotic songs and shouting cheers for the U.S.A. The parade route was lined with hundreds of community members and students from surrounding schools cheering them on as they celebrated their pride in America. The amazing marching bands and auxiliary units from Madrid Middle School, Kranz Intermediate School, El Monte High School, Mountain View High School and South El Monte High School provided wonderful music and entertainment. Joining in the patriotic celebration were several distinguished guests including El Monte Police Chief David Reynoso along with El Monte Po-
Parkview School Americanism Parade. Photo courtesy.
lice Department Officers, Lieutenants, School Resource Officers, and Mounted Patrol Volunteers on horseback, L.A. County Fire Department Station 163, Parkview Parent Volunteers, THINK Together After School
staff members, El Monte City Council Members, Parkview retirees and MVSD maintenance worker, Louie Saenz, who drove one of the tractors used by the maintenance department. Masters of Ceremonies, George
Schonborn and Tony Lugo, MVSD administrators, provided an informational and humorous commentary, complete with several historical facts Americanism continued on page 8
A Day In Troy Captures The Imagination of El Monte Students by R. Conner, Staff Writer El Monte
On Saturday, February 24, 2018, the El Monte Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department with the help of the Jr. Recreation Leader Volunteer Program escorted 70 children from Gibson Mariposa Park, Lambert Park, Mt. View Park, Zamora Park, and the Cogswell and Payne After-School Recreation and Tutoring sites to “A Day in Troy”. During El Monte’s fifth year participating in the USC event, local attendees had the opportunity to spend an afternoon with about 160 USC student-athletes. Children from El Monte gathered inspiration and let their imaginations soar as student-athletes showed them around campus. Stops on the tour included the football weight room, a locker room, and a photo-op at the legendary Tommy Trojan and George Tirebiter statues. When asked about the Parks, Rec-
reation, and Community Services Department participation, Recreation Services Manager Lisa Del Real was enthusiastic in her hopes that a trip to USC can inspire the children. “It’s a beautiful, historic campus and the student mentors were very friendly and welcoming. Hopefully it starts a conversation about going to college or even USC!” This annual USC special event is an educational and entertaining opportunity for elementary-aged children to engage with USC student athletes who provide mentoring and Trojan pep-talks about education, physical fitness, goal-setting, diversity, and overcoming challenges. Children also received a tour of
the USC campus, lunch at the Galen Center, autograph session, and attend the USC Trojans vs. Colorado Buffaloes Women’s Basketball game. The fans were also treated to an au-
Courtesy Photo
tograph session with the student-athletes and a USC women’s basketball A Day In Troy continued on page 8