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Meet Fontana's Fabulous 2010 Vals and Sals


This week, Fontana's high schools and adult school held their graduation ceremonies.  Valedictorians and Salutatorians were selected from the highest ranked seniors at each of the high schools.  Instead of Vals and Sals, our continuation schools and adult school selected students to speak at their ceremonies.  Meet these outstanding young men and women.

Congratulations to the Class of 2010!


  A.B. Miller High School

Valedictorian - Paola Sandoval
During her years at A.B. Miller, Valedictorian, Paola Sandoval, has participated in AVID, Anime Club, Spanish Language Club, Alpha Omega, and Track and Field.  She cites "Mrs. Williams for giving me the courage to believe in my talent and Mr. Lee for helping me put myself out of my comfort zone and providing me with a creative outlet."  Paola says that her favorite/most memorable high school experience was participating in TV Production and having her film nominated at the 2009-10 Rebel Film Festival. She received the 2010-11 Hispanic Scholarship and College Access Foundation Inland Empire Award.  This fall, Paola will be attending the University of California, Riverside where she will be majoring in Creative Writing.  Said Paola, "I would like to become a writer but I'm also thinking of becoming an English teacher."

Salutatorian - Justin Jackson
A.B. Miller Salutatorian Justin Jackson has been involved in TV Production Club, Guitar Club, Math Club, Science Club, Basketball and Volleyball.  "Mr. Lee has inspired me to live my life and push onward," said Justin.  "And Mr. Windley," he continued, "has taught me an unfathomable amount about everything and has been my friend."  His favorite/most memorable high school experience has been all the time spent editing Rebel News 7 in I-3 as Editor-in-Chief.  Justin will be attending UC Berkley as a Mechanical Engineering major.  He plans to become a mechanical engineer, possibly for Microsoft.

Find out more about Paola, Justin and A.B. Miller's Top Seniors in The Fontana Herald News.

  Fontana High School

Valedictorian - Alma Carrillo
Fohi's Valedictorian, Alma Carrillo, is a member of M.E.Ch.A., AVID, Key Club, Link Crew, Book Club, and California Scholarship Federation.  She cites Ms. Chavez and Mrs. Gutierrez as being a big influence on her.  "They have always believed in me and their support has motivated me to pursue my aspirations," said Alma.  "Mr. Saldana and Mr. Fischer's academic challenges have prepared me for what is to come in college," she added.  Alma will remember the AVID Junior/Senior trip as one of her best high school experiences.  This fall, Alma will be attending the University of California, Irvine where she will be majoring in civil engineering.  She takes with her the President's Academic Excellence Scholarship and Chancellor's Excellence Scholarship.  Upon graduation from college, Alma plans to pursue a career as a civil engineer.

Salutatorian - Alexander King
Fohi's Salutatorian, Alexander King, is a member of California Scholarship Federation, was on the football and baseball teams, and was a student-coach for Fontana Pop Warner Falcons as part of his community service.  He cites Mrs. Escobar as being a big influence on him "because she worked with me for three years and taught me how to write well-written essays which has helped me in college applications and will help me in college."  Alex said his most memorable high school experiences were receiving the Jerry Dison Award every semester of high school and starting and winning my first varsity game pitching against Bloomington High."  Alex will be attending Arizona State University where he will be majoring in Biomedical Engineering.  He was awarded the NAMU-Provost Partial Scholarship for ASU.  After he completes his education, "I want to become a doctor with emphasis on biomedical engineering," he said.

Find out more about Alma, Alexander and Fohi's Top Seniors in The Fontana Herald News

  Kaiser High School

Valedictorian - Brenda Dueñas
"I am involved in Key Club, National Honor Society, California Scholarship Federation, Advanced Biology Club, Art Club, Anime Club, AVID, Cats for Christ, and Biology Club," said Brenda.  "In addition, I helped at my church donating and giving out food and for two years I volunteered at a chiropractic clinic."  She cites teachers Kelly Reasons and Olivia Colangelo as being a big influence on her.  Mrs. Reasons helped her transition into high school.  "She helped me feel welcomed at KHS and made me believe in myself," said Brenda.  "Ms. Colangelo helped me understand the real world of college through her advanced placement class and she helped me develop my work tactics," she continued.  Brenda said that her most memorable high school experience was her first day of high school.  "I felt like a little fish in big waters," she said.  This fall, Brenda will be attending Cornell where she will major in pre-med (Biology).  She plans to go into the medical field and either do cancer research, pediatrics, or cardiology. 
 

Valedictorian - Priscilla Parada
During her high school years, Priscilla has been involved in Key Club, National Honor Society, California Scholarship Federation, AVID, and Spanish Club.  She cites Mrs. Colangelo, Mr. Ungerer, Ms. Marchis, and Mrs. Delay as being the biggest influence on her because, she said, "they had shown me personally they actually care about their students."  Priscilla said that her most memorial high school experience was winning the Latino Heritage Award because it was awarded by Congressman Joe Baca.  She will be attending UC Berkley where she will be majoring in Political Science.  "After I graduate from college, I want to be a lawyer to help those in need," said Priscilla.
 

Salutatorian - Michael Panameno
During his high school years, Michael has been in Key Club, California Scholarship Federation, Marching Band, Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, and Jazz Band.  He volunteered at both church (as a pianist) and Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center. Michael cites his music teacher as being a big influence on him.  "Mr. Almond has inspired me to take full advantages of my opportunities and my blessings," he said.  When he got a "Superior" rating for his French horn solo at a solo festival, he said, "I felt as if I had accomplished a major milestone."  Michael will be attending UCLA and majoring in Biochemistry.  He plans to enter the medical field and train to become a surgeon.

Salutatorian - Tina Szutu
Tina has participated in Track and Field, Cross-Country, California Scholarship Federation, National Honor Society, Key Club, Drama Club, Anime Club, and Art Club.  She says that her English teacher, Mr. Dodds has inspired her to work harder.  "He's been helpful and funny and entertaining," said Tina.  She has had many memorable high school experiences, including "track team (experience of every meet), lunch-time and class-bonding with friends, community service events, and clubs."  Tina will be attending UC San Diego where she will study Computer Engineering.  Says Tina, "I want to become a computer engineer.  Then if I do good, I'll become an astronaut."

Salutatorian - Kristen Danhour
Kristen was involved in Key Club, National Honor Society, California Scholarship Federation, AVID Science Olympiad, Spanish Club, and Advanced Biology Club.  She said that when she got her AP scores in the mail last summer was her most memorable high school experience.  "I was so excited when I passed all four tests," she said.  Mrs. Colangelo and Mrs. Marchis have been a big influence on Kristen.  "Mrs. Colangelo helped me, not only English with writing but my fear of talking in front of people.  Mrs. Marchis has helped me with Key Club and community service.  She is always there when I need to talk."  Kristen received scholarships from United Food and Commercial Workers and Christermon.  This fall, Kristen will be attending UCLA, where she will be majoring in Chemistry.  "I dream of becoming a pharmacist and helping others," said Kristen.

Salutatorian - José Jimenez
José served as President of California Scholarship Federation and was involved in Key Club, National Honor Society, Concert Band, Jazz Band, Marching Band, and Wind Ensemble.  Mrs. Colangelo has been a big influence on him "because she has made me a better writer," he said.  "And Mr. Allmond for teaching me about the soul in playing music."  José said that "Joining band and meeting my best friend, Johnathan Velaz, was my most memorable high school experience.  Also, getting to know my other friends."  This fall José will be attending UC Irvine where he will be majoring in Civil Engineering.  "I want to construct skyscrapers and different types of buildings all over the world," he said.

Salutatorian - Laura Garcia-Cid
Laura has been active in Academic Decathlon, AVID, National Honor Society, California Scholarship Federation, Spanish Club, and Advanced Biology Club.  She said that Mrs. Richardson has been a big influence on her because he introduced her to chemistry and "that opened many doors for my career."  Her most memorial high school experience, said Laura, was "walking on stage to be recognized as fourth place team in Academic Decathlon."  Laura will be attending the University of Pennsylvania where she will major in Bioengineering.  She plans to go into cancer research.

Find out more about Kaiser's Class of 2010 in The Fontana Herald News.
  Summit High School

Valedictorian - Carina De La Cueva
Summit's Valedictorian Carina De La Cueva is a member of the National Honor Society, Academic Decathlon, Cinema Club, Latinos Americanos United, and Orchestra and a participant in History Day.  She credits Mr. Prentiss for making it possible for her "to have all the opportunities I could get to succeed by always being there when I needed him.  Mrs. Hamilton, Mr. Peterson, and pretty much every other teacher I had helped further my education and personally as an individual," she continued.  Her most memorable high school experience was setting foot on Summit High School for the first time.  Carina received the Dosse Foundation Scholarship (full tuition to UC Berkley), Joe Baca Scholarship, Exchange Club Scholarship, Rotary Club Scholarship, and CSF Scholarship.  As for the future, Carina said, "I want to continue my education by going to graduate school although I have not yet decided my major."

Salutatorian - Brenda Uribe
Summit's Salutatorian Brenda Uribe has participated in Volleyball, Water Polo, Soccer (manager), Gay-Straight Alliance Club, Link Crew, National Honor Society, Peace Jam, History Day, Virtual Business, and Private Tutor.  Said Brenda, "I have been lucky enough to have great teachers throughout my four years at Summit who have each had a big influence on me."  She cites lunches with friends and participating in History Day up to the State level as being her most memorial high school experiences.  Brenda received scholarships from California Scholarship Federation, Community Foundation, Hemlock PTA, and University of La Verne (Presidential Scholarship).  This fall, she will be attending the University of La Verne but has not yet decided on a major.

Find out more about Carina De La Cueva and Brenda Uribe in The Fontana Herald News.
  Birch High School

Dye'Aneasha Ferraro, Nancy Badwan, Brian Moreno and Lerissa Lopez.

  Citrus High School

Maria Magallanes
Before transferring to Citrus, Maria was active in Marching Band.  She has been studying Speech, Child Care, and Teacher's Assistant.  After graduation, Maria plans to continue her education at Chaffey College and major in Crime Scene Investigation, Registered Nurse, and Ultrasonography.

Davante Myricks
During his high school years, Davante has studied Careers, Computers, Speech, Criminology, Child care, and Teacher's Assistant.  He will his education after graduation by attending Chaffey College for two years and then transferring to USC.  Davante plans to major in Philosophy and he said, "Become Dr. Myricks."  He plans to entertain in music as he continues his education.

Janel Bonilla
Janel has studied Child Care through ROP, Speech, Computer Accounting, and Student Assistant.  She plans to continue her education to study social work and cosmetology.  Janel would like to become a social worker and also own her own beauty salon.

  Fontana Adult School

Roberto Aguirre
Roberto Aguirre started attending Fontana Adult School last year as a way to help him with English.  However, after meeting with his counselor, he found out that he was very close to receiving his high school diploma.  Even though last year was a very difficult one for his personally, he stayed focused on his goal.  Roberto credits the counselors at Fontana Adult School for helping him through the process and giving him confidence to achieve his goal.

Antonio Camacho
Antonio Camacho has been attending the Fontana Adult School off and on for the last five years.  He said that completing the high school diploma program was something he was really motivated to do and credits his English teacher with her assistance in preparing his speech.

 

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Fontana Unified School District - 9680 Citrus Avenue - Fontana, California 92335 - (909) 357-5000