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May 22, 2013
Mid Valley News
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El Monte High Students Visit Space Shuttle
El Monte
Thanks to a grant from Target, 52 El Monte High School engineering students had an opportunity to visit space shuttle Endeavor at the California Science Center. Before retiring to Los Angeles, Endeavor completed 25 missions into space, including the first service mission to the Hubble space telescope and the first mission to add an American built component to the International Space Station. "The students had a great time and seeing the space shuttle was a jaw dropping experience for them all," said El Monte High School engineering teacher Steve Swanson "I had to spend some time convincing them that it was a real space shuttle that had been to space and not a mockup." According to Swanson, the field trip benefitted the students in several ways. "The students were inspired by the Endeavor's example of the rigor of logic and the excitement of
by Anne Donofrio-Holter
inventiveness, made them aware of jobs available in the aerospace industry and better understand how engineering is a way of solving problems," said Swanson. “It was the first time I saw a space shuttle this close and I was amazed," said student
Ruiqi Guo. "I learned some fun and interesting facts.” "Every part of the space shuttle was carefully put together and left people awestruck," said student Gabby Nguyen. "Minority and women students still continue to be underrepresented in engineering, so visiting this marvel of aerospace engineering will remind students that jobs at Raytheon and Boeing, just 33 miles away, need talented, young people," said El Monte High School engineering teacher Daniel Oliver. "This
field trip challenges students to use their own curiosity to drive their own endeavors." According to Swanson, the trip also served to prepare students for an upcoming classroom project where students will use the idea of the space shuttle's thermal protection system to develop their own renewable heat transfer material. "Students will also be researching local colleges and universities that offer aerospace engineering career programs," added Swanson. "We are very grateful to Target for giving our students this wonderful opportunity to view this engineering marvel," said El Monte High School principal Keith Richardson. "It’s become increasingly difficult for schools to fund learning opportunities outside the classroom. To help them out, we launched field trip grants in 2007," said a Target spokesperson. "Since then, we’ve made it possible for millions of students to go on a field trip."
Senator Ed Hernandez and Assemblymember Ed Chau joined health care organizations and families from throughout El Monte at the Cleaver Family Wellness Clinic (CFWC) last Saturday to help educate residents on the importance of health care. The Health Benefits Fair, organized Children’s Defense Fund-California, the Cleaver Family Wellness Clinic, and El Monte Union High School, was an outreach event to identify and connect El Monte children with health coverage, as well as showcase local health resources in El Monte. “Events like this are important to inform the community about the available health resources,” said Lorena San-
by Hanif Houston
chez, program associate for the Children’s Defense Fund California. “Many programs exist to help low-income parents provide health care for their children. However, a lack of awareness prevents eligible children from being enrolled. We want to make sure everybody who is eligible to receive coverage gets coverage.” The fair was scheduled to begin at 10:00AM, but guests began arriving as early as 9:30 and didn’t leave until well after 2:00PM. Senator Ed Hernandez, Assemblymember Ed Chau, and Supervisor Gloria Molina spoke about importance of health care for children, and delivered certificates of appreciation to
South El Monte
Wilkerson School was honored and given a donation of $2,500 during the Cinco de Mayocelebration at Whittier
the Cleaver Wellness Clinic, the Children’s Defense Fund, and other organizations. Local health care organizations had set up tables that provided families with information on free and low cost enrollment information, dental care, eye care, and low cost energy savings programs. There were also activities for children, including a bouncing castle, face-painting, and two separate raffles. “It is encouraging to see so many health-care organizations coming together to make sure that families in El Monte are aware free and low-cost resources out there,” Assemblymember Ed Chau said of the health benefits fair. “Partnerships are critical Health Insurance continued to pg 10
by Shirley Burkhardt
Narrows .The recognition was for the outstanding health education program at Wilkerson as well as for having an API of 804.
Photo: Principal Juan Munoz with the representative from Superior Markets holding the “donation.”
Hero Lillian Rey will be Honored for Lifetime of Service to El Monte
El Monte
Health Benefits Fair Linked Children with Health Insurance
El Monte
Wilkerson School Receives Donation from Superior
Longtime El Monte resident Lillian Rey, executive director of the El Monte/ South El Monte Emergency Resources Association, will be honored at the 3rd Annual San Gabriel Valley Civic Alliance Sector Awards on Thursday, May 16 for her lifetime of service to the residents of the El Monte/South El Monte area. Ms. Rey wears many hats at the agency, but will most often be found working directly with families in need. This might mean loading groceries to deliver to families in financial crisis, visiting a local motel to arrange emergency shelter, or walking the streets to identify individuals who need places to stay safe and warm for the night. Ms. Rey’s primary goal is to provide assistance in a way that will enable community members that the organization serves to maintain
by Valerie Martinez
their dignity, regain their independence and return to the community in a productive fashion. Her previous employment was with Hope House in El Monte where she cared for autistic children and mentally-challenged clients. In the past, she has also been an active participant in the Meals on Wheels program, American Red Cross, El Monte Lions, El Monte Civitan, the Homeless and Veterans Affairs Committee and Volunteer Police Office V.C.A.P. In addition to Ms. Rey, Former U. S. Congressman Esteban Torres, John Hsu with SCT Management, Sergio Rascon with Laborers Local 300, Bill Scoggins with Mt. San Antonio College, and Monrovia Mayor Mary Ann Lutz will be recognized for their years of community work and service.