Volume LVII, Issue 1
15325 East Los Robles Avenue, Hacienda Heights, CA 91745
September 2018
Spanish Honor Society
Celebrating Latin American Independence Lucy Argaez Mariachis singing, vibrant papel picado, and the scent of arroz con leche, greeted students as they arrived at the Latin American Independence Day Celebration. This year’s celebration was organized by the Spanish Honors Society, and Spanish teachers such as Erendira Andrade, and Iris Preciado. Latin American Culture was celebrated in the Hacienda on September 12. The event was a fundraiser for the Spanish Honors society, the money made came from food donations sold at the event, Spanish teacher Preciado said. The projects, donations, and entertainment featured in the event not only came
from the Spanish Honors Society, but from Spanish classes as well. “All of our decorations were student work, everything from papel picado, to paper flowers; and even poster board projects which featured information from different Latin American countries,” said Preciado. Besides raising money for their society, the officers had other goals in mind for the Latin American Independence Day Celebration. The event brought students together in celebration of culture and brought them into contact with other cultures, by introducing food, music, dancing, and a series of informational posters from other Latino American cultures. Senior Jonathan Tang, commissioner of communi-
ty service, said, “The event was put on to celebrate Spanish Heritage month and to expose people to cultures they haven’t experienced firsthand,” said Jonathan Tang commissioner of community service The Spanish teachers who planned the event explained the goals for attendees. “The goal was for them to participate in an event that showed pride in Latin American culture.” Andrade said. The event has gone on for the past eight years and continues to spread Latino cultural awareness. Speaking on the future of the event Preciado said, “We will continue the event both as a tradition here at Los Altos and as a Fundraiser for our Spanish Honors Society.”
Young volunteer sings alongside mariachi.
Annual College Career Fair Provides Students with Scholarships, Options, & Workshops The Conqueror gymnasium was filled with positive energy as students and parents milled about different tables, getting all their questions answered at panels during the College and Career Fair. The 57th Annual Ian C. Calderon College and Career Fair was held Saturday, September 15 from with 64 different institutions attending to offer students several different opportunities. There were several representatives set up there ranging from Rio Hondo College to Harvard University, and even military programs. High school students, especially upperclassmen, may have felt nervous about the future and what they want to do after high school. There were various workshops that high school students all over the district attended, where they learned about important topics, such as the Cal State application, the UC application, and advice on the UC personal insight questions. Seniors had an extra advantage, as they were given the opportunity
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The representatives there really showed they were ready to answer any and all questions people had about college, which I think was great and made it better. - Emily Martin
“There’s a ton of different schools here today. It’s so nice when a student comes up to us already knowing what they want to do. Although I can’t accommodate some of their major needs, it’s great that I could say another school could do it,” said Linton. Aditionally, Lintion saidIt’s never too early to start thinking about what direc-
Scholarship Honors Ms. Mallen’s Legacy Elias Robles
to submit an essay to win $1,000. The purpose of this fair is to provide a smoother transition into college. Jamie Linton, representative of Menlo College said, “I didn’t have any of these workshops when I was in in high school, and my parents didn’t speak English, so it was hard for me to get the help I needed.” She feels that students need and should use these kinds of resources.
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Giovanna Fernandez
College representative explains options and financial aid to interested Conquerors. Photo by Giovanna Fernandez
tion a student may want to take later in life. Freshman Emily Martin, also an AVID student, attended She said, “The representatives there really showed they were ready to answer any and all questions people had about college, which I think was great and made it better.” The fair and took away a
lot of new information. “Although I’m not sure where I want to go yet, the fair really helped me get a general idea of what some of the colleges have to offer to us students,” said Martin. The fair continues to help provide high school students with a wide range of information, making their options limitless.
Photo by Kimberly Gonzalez.
Los Altos High School is offering a new scholarship to graduating seniors in honor of Ms. Mallen. After students and staff members were saddened by the tragic news of her passing, this scholarship is one of the many ways Ms. Mallen’s legacy will continue. This new scholarship under Ms. Mallen’s name honors her years of hard work at Los Altos. Further details about who the scholarship is aimed towards or what it entails are to be determined. According to Patti Higgins, guidance counselor with all the positivity Ms. Mallen spread to students and the impact she had working in education, it is a smart move to make a scholarship that helps students with their paths of education. Patti Higgins said, “We will continue discussing to see if this will only be a scholarship, or also a way that we can give out different resources, students will use in their everyday lives at school.” ASB, Renaissance, and Freshman Leadership, are
contributing to this scholarship. “We are trying to spread Breast Cancer Awareness and its effects. We are fundraising for Breast Cancer Awareness; and putting a portion of the donations into the scholarship,” freshman Isabela Valentin, a current member of Freshman Leadership, said. “Putting this scholarship under her name will change the meaning for students who really got to know her. It is going to mean a lot to them. We were like her second family here.” Students got to know Ms. Mallen as a counselor and deeds as a person. “This scholarship will mean so much more now since we personally got to know her as a counselor and as a person,” Sophomore Jocelyn Mendoza said. Donations to the Mary Mallen scholarship fund can be made to “Los Altos Conqueror Education Foundation.” This donation may be mailed to the LACEF on 3129 S. Hacienda Blvd Suite 546, Hacienda Heights, CA 91745 and further inquiries can be made at LACEF.Conqueror@gmail.com with the subject line of Mary Mallen.