EYE ON EDUCATION A Publication of the Paramount Unified School District
15110 CALIFORNIA AVE., PARAMOUNT, CA 90723 • TEL: 562-602-6000 • FAX: 562-634-6029
NOVEMBER 2011
Health Career Academy Students Volunteer at The Annual AIDS Walk On Sunday, October 16th Paramount High School Health Career Academy (HCA) students volunteered in the twenty seventh annual AIDS Walk - Los Angeles. Over 30,000 people participated in this grand event. Dressed in their maroon scrubs HCA students volunteered at the event as crowd control, handed out information and cheered on the participants. As part of the HCA program, students are exposed to the various careers in the medical field and are provided with hands-on training, certification and a sense of empowerment. HCA students
Pictured with Los Angeles Mayor Villaraigosa are students Kimberly Zepeda, Cristina Zaragoza, and Gerardo Perez
are also required to volunteer in events like the AIDS Walk
Los Angeles. The group was led by Ms. Rodriguez, Mr. Bean
Coach Bob Witham Wrestling Room Dedication Board of Education members, District administrators, PHS Administrators and the Witham Family await the unveiling of the plaque that will be displayed on the Coach Bob Witham Wrestling Room.
Board President Tony Peña and Vice President Linda Garcia unveil the plaque that will be displayed on the Coach Bob Witham Wrestling Room.
In a ceremony held prior to the Varsity Football Homecoming game on October 14, 2011, the new Wrestling facility in the Field House east of the PHS Pirate Stadium was dedicated to the memory of wrestling coach Bob Witham, who passed away last February and was a teacher and the Head Wrestling Coach at PHS for more than 30 years. Coach Witham created the Pirate wrestling program in 1963 and led it until his retirement in 1993. His daily classroom responsibilities were in the Social Studies department, but when 6th period began for Coach Witham and his wrestlers, no coach in PHS history was more demanding of– or dedicated to – his
athletes. Along the way, Coach Witham’s demanding and dedicated approach led to numerous individual CIF champions as well as the first team CIF championship in the history of the school. That 1974-75 CIF Championship squad was only one of many dominant teams carved in Coach “Stubby’s” image during his tenure: hardnosed, tough, disciplined kids who did not know the meaning of the word “quit.” One of the measures of the program’s success can be seen in the Pirate Gymnasium on the League Championship Wrestling banner, which lists the many league championships won during Coach Witham’s career. Following Coach Witham’s retirement, he maintained ties with both Paramount High School and the wrestling program for another fifteen years, substitute-teaching at PHS almost every day and going up to the wrestling room after school. Only when poor health intervened did Coach stop coming to the school to which he had dedicated his career for 45 years. Coach Witham was also posthumously inducted into the CIF-Southern Section Hall of Fame on October 20, 2011.
and Ms. Ortiz, which are HCA teachers. Yvonne Lizarraga HCA student stated, “Participating in AIDS Walk Los Angeles was an exciting and enriching experience. It demonstrated the dedication and support we can offer the community.” One of the exciting moments for HCA students was the opportunity to meet and take a picture with Los Angeles Mayor Mr. Villaraigosa. He was impressed to see 102 young students dressed in the maroon scrubs volunteer for this event. As part of the program, HCA students
learn the value and importance of giving back to their community. This is integrated in the HCA curriculum and on the job training. Gerardo Perez states, “For many students, this program is the lifeblood of their high school experience and the reason they remain in school and have hope for the future.” HCA teachers understand the importance of exposing students to these community events. Patricia Jacobo, PHS Elizabeth Rodriguez, PHS
MESA Gets On Its Way
Board Member Vivian Hansen is joined by City of Paramount Mayor Daryl Hofmeyer, Councilmen Gene Daniels and Tom Hansen as she addresses MESA students and parents.
MESA students gather as they prepare for their trip to CSULB for an enriching and fun filled day. On Saturday, October 15, the Mathematics Engineering Science Achievement (MESA) program kicked off in grand style as over 300 students and parents, as well as District and City representatives, attended the annual MESA Kick-Off celebration at Paramount Park. Students in the MESA program were treated to snacks and received a free MESA t-shirt,
courtesy of the City of Paramount. Following the kick-off event, students were bussed to California State University, Long Beach for an enriching and fun filled day of learning. Manuel San Miguel Director Secondary Education & Alternative Education
SCHOOL BOARD MEETING DATES November 16, 2011 Board of Education meetings are held at 6:00 p.m. in the Boardroom at the District Office, 15110 California Avenue, Paramount, and are open to the public