Monrovia Schools Superintendent Ryan Smith tweeted that, "This week, 3rd-grade students created worm bins with help from our partners at Food ED. These bins will help produce compost for the gardens at their school sites."
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia High graduate Yesenia Bugarin is pursuing an associate degree in business administration with the help of the Citrus College Promise program.
By Mary Ann Lutz
Citrus College Governing Board Member
When Yesenia Bugarin graduated from Monrovia High School in 2021, there was no question that Citrus College would be the next step on her academic journey. “I saw how much support my older sister had received as a Citrus College student, so I was encouraged to apply,” she says.
Within a few short months, Yesenia had successfully settled into life as a college student. The 19-year-old business administration major credits much of her smooth transition to the Citrus College Promise program. Designed to remove barriers that hinder academic success, the Citrus College Promise increases access by covering enrollment costs and other expenses, such as health services, student representation and GoPass transportation fees. However, Yesenia says that monetary assistance isn’t the program’s only benefit.
“The Citrus College Promise not only relieved me of financial burdens, it also ensured that I maintain a good academic standing,” she says. “It has offered me many opportunities to gain professional skills, and the program’s completion specialists consistently reach out to make sure I’m on track. They do their best to support their students one-on-one.”
Individualized support and guidance have been key elements of the Citrus College Promise since the program’s debut in 2018. Valuable members of the Citrus College Promise team, completion specialists ensure that students maintain their program eligibility and make progress toward their academic goals.
To become part of the Citrus College Promise, eligible students must finish the Citrus College Early Decision program or complete the onboarding process for another student support program. Other requirements include submitting a FAFSA or California Dream Act application, declaring a course of study/major, maintaining a minimum of 2.0 GPA, completing a student education plan, and completing college/transfer-level English and mathematics.
After joining the program, students not only have all of their enrollment fees paid, they also receive a $100 textbook voucher. All of this support and guidance is provided throughout the student’s first two years at Citrus College.
Although originally limited to graduating high school seniors, the program expanded last year to include all first-time students who have never attended college and are California residents/AB 540 eligible. As a result, more students can now benefit from the program. In fact, there are approximately 1,000 students currently participating in the program.
“I would recommend the Citrus College Promise program to other students because, aside from the financial and academic assistance, the program helped me feel like I belonged at Citrus College,” Yesenia says. “The program encouraged me to take advantage of all the school’s resources and to finish my associate degree in two years.”
As Monrovia’s representative on the Citrus Community College District Board of Trustees, I am proud of Citrus College’s efforts to increase access and remove barriers to higher education. I am confident that the Citrus College Promise program will continue to provide excellent opportunities for the many first-time college students in our community.
- Brad Haugaard
~ Changes at the Police Department.
~ Monrovia Fire & Rescue and Monrovia Community Emergency Response Team are offering a free three-day CERT Basic Training starting tomorrow, Saturday, Jan. 28. Open to Monrovia residents and employees of Monrovia businesses. Ages 16 and over with a parent. Classes will be held on Feb. and 11. CERT volunteers assist Monrovia Fire & Rescue with preparedness education, fire patrols, and disaster response. Email Suzanne Dobson at SDobson@ci.monrovia.ca.us to register or for more information.
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for January 19 – 25. - Brad Haugaard]During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 365 service events, resulting in 81 investigations.
- Brad Haugaard
Winston likes to chase things, especially toys! His favorite is the squeaky ball, but really, he’s not very picky. His long legs make it seem like he’s floating through the air in pursuit of whatever is thrown his way. This also means that Winston should not live with cats or other small animals. After a few rounds of fetch, he will contentedly relax and enjoy chewing on his toys until it's time to run again!
At six years old, Winston is eligible for the Seniors for Seniors program, meaning his adoption fee is waived for an adopter over sixty.
The adoption fee for dogs is $150. All dog adoptions include spay or neuter, microchip, and age-appropriate vaccines.
New adopters will receive a complimentary health-and-wellness exam from VCA Animal Hospitals, as well as a goody bag filled with information about how to care for your pet.
View photos of adoptable pets and schedule an adoption appointment at pasadenahumane.org. Adoptions are by appointment only, and new adoption appointments are available every Sunday and Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adopters by phone calls or email.
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
Betty and James Wilson lived on Fig Street. He was a jockey. When the house was cleaned out, Betty Thomas picked up some photographs that were being thrown out. These are the girls (including Vivian Fisher and Juanita Gardner) at Wilsons' son's 16th birthday. In 1943. From the Susie Ling collection. See full details here.
- Brad Haugaard
~ Monrovia Police Department will host Battle of the Badges Blood Drive on Thursday, February 2, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Community Center (119 W. Palm Avenue). To schedule an appointment go to RedCrossBlood.org and enter sponsor code "BOB23" or call (800) 733-2767.
~ The Monrovia Duarte Black Alumni Association will host these Black History Month events in February: Kickoff (t.ly/XI-e); Health Fair & Workshops (t.ly/fT9P); Reading, Music, Arts & Crafts (t.ly/iL5t); Children's Art Festival (t.ly/VlrU); Luncheon / Art Exhibit (t.ly/R_JP).
~ West Coast Arborist crews will be trimming trees in Old Town Monrovia between Foothill and Huntington Drive from January 23-27, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
~ Next week city contractors will be at the Monrovia Historical Museum repairing exterior woodwork and stucco, repainting the outside, and repair the museum's garage roof. Expect restricted access to the museum through February.
- Brad Haugaard
Canyon Park will not reopen Monday due to new damage. Here is what Recreation Manager Rebecca Sandoval writes:
"The reopening of Canyon Park has been postponed for about 4 to 6 weeks. The latest storms created emergency conditions across the state and included local, state, and federal disaster proclamations. The storms caused additional damage to areas that clearly present dangerous conditions. For example, there are new washouts of the roadway near culvert crossing #2. There are several large drops adjacent to the road, walkways, and trail. LA County Public Works is also conducting major hauling operations within their debris basin, so Canyon Boulevard has heavy truck traffic. This activity presents another concern, which places walkers and pedestrians along the park entrance during increased hauling activities. Thank you for understanding and your patience as we work hard to reopen our beloved park."[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for January 12 – 18. - Brad Haugaard]During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 311 service events, resulting in 81 investigations.
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard