Tag Archives: Kelli Gile

Schools Honored For Outreach Efforts During Pandemic

Kelli Gile

Diamond Bar – C.J. Morris, Castle Rock, Evergreen, Maple Hill, Quail Summit, and Vejar Elementary Schools earned the 2020 California PBIS Community Cares Award for outstanding support to students, families, and communities during COVID-19 stay-at-home orders.

Maple Hill Elementary staff sent students “Making Lemonade Out Of Lemons” video.

Maple Hill Elementary produced several outreach videos featuring the “Making Lemonade Out of Lemons” school closure theme.

“We wanted to support our families with weekly messages of encouragement, read-a-louds, and suggested activities to promote social and emotional wellness,” said Principal Kelly Morris.

In one video, staff members suggested fun stay-at-home “opportunities” including exploring nature, dancing, playing board games, learning family traditions, and even having a backyard picnic.

“Let’s seize the day – better yet squeeze the day!” Morris exclaimed.

Evergreen Elementary 5th graders penned caring letters to seniors living in quarantine.

Evergreen Elementary fifth grade students wrote letters to assisted living facility residents during the first weeks of quarantine.

“Hopefully you’ll get to see your friends and family soon,” offered one caring 10-year-old who said she was keeping busy reading Harry Potter books, playing with sisters, and watching TikTok videos.

“I understand that you might not be happy and you can’t travel or eat at your favorite restaurants,” said 11-year-old Kyra Chen.

“You should always stay positive and try to have a good time!”

“The seniors loved receiving the letters and some wrote the children back!” said Principal Trina Dreyer.

Challenge Accepted! Vejar Elementary families stay connected during distance learning by sharing online photos.

Vejar Elementary hosted online weekly spirit challenges, family activities, and sent daily text messages.

Families stayed connected while posting first day of school photos in a shared Google folder for the August 10 challenge.

“We are working to make sure we continue to recognize the positive moments from our students and celebrate them during distance learning,” said Principal Whitney Prenger.

This school year will include virtual student shout-outs, birthday celebrations, Bitmoji postcards, and monthly assemblies recognizing Valuable Vejar Vaqueros for demonstrating respect, responsibility, and safety.

“We also look forward to providing virtual classroom visits and school tour footage to get our students acquainted and excited to return as soon as it is safe to do so!” Prenger said.

C.J. Morris Elementary staff members distribute supplies for distance learning.

C.J. Morris Elementary staff members rallied together to provide supplies to students and families to support distance learning.

“We strive to be global citizens while implementing PBIS in conjunction with our IB Attributes,” said Principal Fayroze Mostafa.

“It truly takes a village!”

Quail Summit Elementary shared daily wellness activities and strategies to help students handle the stress of living in quarantine.

“Schools really need to think outside the box, now more than ever, when it comes to COVID-19,” said Principal Frances Weissenberger.

Castle Rock Elementary delivered messages of community, kindness, and
empathy during pandemic.

Castle Rock Elementary concentrated efforts on maintaining the sense of community built throughout the year.

“Students and staff alike were mourning the loss of one another and the connectedness we shared,” explained Principal Jen Alcazar.

“We focused on helping all our Knights demonstrate perseverance and grit while at the same time building faith that things would eventually return to normal.”

The school posted messages of hope and inspiration on social media platforms using photos, videos, and student highlights.

Homebound students were also challenged to reach out to others who might be struggling.

“They responded with love, compassion, and action doing what they could to uplift one another and by sending messages to essential workers,” Alcazar added.

Diamond Bar High Alum Jason Wright Makes History

Kelli Gile

Diamond Bar –

Diamond Bar High School alumnus Jason Wright makes
history as the new president of the Washington Football
Team.

Walnut Valley USD proudly congratulates Diamond Bar High School alumnus Jason Wright (Class of 2000) who has been named president of the Washington Football Team.

Wright becomes the first Black person to hold the league title, and at age 38 is the youngest team president in NFL history.

Wright was a NFL running back for seven years with Atlanta, Cleveland, and Arizona and a business consultant at McKinsey & Company for the past seven years.

The popular Brahma football player and class president attended Northwestern University and earned an M.B.A from University of Chicago.

Diamond Bar High School alumnus Jason Wright has been named president of the Washington Football franchise. The star football player, #18, won back-to-back championships

In high school, he won back-to-back championships in 1998 and ’99 where he scored the winning touchdown to claim the CIF Southern Section Division II title and an undefeated 14-0 season.

“Jason was always an A-plus kid,” retired Diamond Bar High coach Terry Roche told the Associated Press. “It’s all a credit to his parents and family.”

“What a great day for him and his family and all of us that know him.”

The 1999 championship team was quarterbacked by Ryan Maine, who later became head coach at Diamond Bar, and is the current principal at Walnut High School.

Maine knew his friend was destined for great things since their days playing Pop Warner.

“He was always so smart, he was Diamond Bar’s class president, and he was going to Northwestern for medical school, but ended by being drafted and played in the NFL,” Maine shared with the Associated Press.

“He was our team captain and always one of hardest workers. He set an example. I always talk to high school students now and always tell them to surround yourself with people that make you better. I look at that class led by Jason, and he was one of those people that made us all better.”

Diamond Bar High Freshman Runs 30 Days to Feed Families

Kelli Gile

Diamond Bar – After months of being cooped up in quarantine, incoming Diamond Bar High School freshman L’Mio Edwards decided to get moving to help make a difference during the global pandemic.

Diamond Bar High freshman L’Mio Edwards ran a 5K a day for a month to raise funds during COVID-19. Photos courtesy of Smotherman Images.

During the summer, the talented track star ran a 5K (3.1 miles) for 30 straight days in her quest to feed families impacted by COVID-19.

Step by step, her efforts totaled 93 miles while raising funds for the New Earth non-profit organization that distributes free weekly groceries.

“People need to eat, especially during this coronavirus,” the 14-year-old said.

The #5KaDay4Food Challenge kicked off May 26 and has netted $9,600, just a few hundred dollars shy of her $10K goal.

“I’ve been running since around the third grade,” she said during a recent KNBC interview.

“After running for so long I thought I might use it for something if I’m going to be stuck at home.”

L’Mio began preparing her mind and body for the feat by completing a 6K each day for two and a half weeks prior to the event.

Her father, Deon, drove by her side during every run to ensure his daughter’s safety during the entire fundraiser.

The teen now happily sees others partnering in the #5KaDay4Food Challenge that provides assistance to food banks around the nation.

They donate and pledge to run their own 5Ks for 30 days, she said.

“Some people choose to run only a few days or whatever they can handle – which is equally awesome!”

She also joins 5Ks in various communities to continue raising funds for the cause.

“If you want to see a positive change in the world, it starts with yourself,” L’Mio says of her personal motto.

“This was a cool way of getting to know more people in the community and overall a great experience!”

Additionally, U.S. Congressman, Representative Gil Cisneros recognized the Diamond Bar teen for her successful fundraising efforts on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives on July 21.

“Using her gift as a talented runner, she committed to running a 5K a day for 30 consecutive days in order to raise money for local food banks and help families in need. Our CA39 is so proud of her!”

Visit www.GoFundme.com/f/5KaDay4Food to support the fundraiser.