CAMPUS NEWS: SCHOOL STARTS AUG. 20, NEW GYM UNVEILING SET FOR AUG. 28

August 18, 2012
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The sign says it all, Go Bearcats!

The sign says it all, Go Bearcats!

The ribbon cutting for the new Bonita gym is set for 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 28, which is also “Back to School Night” for parents and students.

We need a nickname for this impressive edifice. I vote for the “Big Mint-Green Lampshade.” I’m sure you’ll come up with something. But it deserves a decent moniker since the structure was built with a “green” budget of $7.8 million, courtesy of a property tax increase La Verne residents voted for back in November 2008, when residents were feeling flusher about the economy.

Although the new gym is the new 800-pound gorilla on campus, all the buzz the first week of school, which begins Aug. 20, will be about the 40th renewal of the Smudge Pot between the Bearcats and their cross-town rivals, the San Dimas Saints., on Thursday Aug. 24, at 7 p.m.

video-40-0-00-00-01For the last two years, the Saints have been the Aints, as Bonita has humbled their familiar football foe, including last year’s 40-20 drubbing . Bonita fans will also get their first real look at new head coach Adrian Medrano calling the shots for the Bearcats.

Although Bonita has won the last two installments, San Dimas still holds a 21-17-1 lifetime edge.

Waving proudly in downtown La Verne!

Waving proudly in downtown La Verne!

Tickets for the game at Citrus Stadium in Glendora are $10 for adults and $6 for children. One American dollar from each ticket sold will go to support leukemia research and Katie Ortega, the Bonita football stats girls the past two seasons who is battling acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with great community support behind her.

Back in the Bonita classroom, the school will welcome seven new teachers: Taline Kavazanjian (French), Joel Hudec (earth science), Deanna Bowman (biology), Jairo Aguayo (algebra), Kirk Arielle (counselor), Barbara Rachman (Spanish) and Randy Bell (law enforcement and CSI).

Bonita isn’t the only La Verne campus to be infused with some new blood, not to mention new teaching styles. Ramona welcomes Crystal Sandoval (science), Brandon Olney (social studies) and Daylen Schutts (choir). Meanwhile, Ramona assistant principal, Rick Crosby has moved on to the Duarte school district to accept a principal position there. Ramona also boasts new health clerk in Michele Stepania.

Meanwhile, Grace Miller, which features a top-notch Tech Club and a fantastic talent show each year, is really excited about its new salad bar designed to get students to eat more fruits and vegetables. Not just the ingredients will be fresh, which are supplied by the San Dimas Farmers’ market, but the actually salad bar itself is new, courtesy of Grace Miller’s very active PTA. Back to school night is set for August 30, said Principal Deanna Spencer, now enjoying her 11th year at the helm. “Every year there is always something new to look forward to,” she said.

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