On January 12, 2024, La Mirada High hosted a rally in the gym to honor a variety of people at this school. These people included sports players, academic scholars, and teachers. Principal Webster and staff planned out the agenda for the rally. Using the planned agenda, ASB Executive Activities Director, Nikki Banuelos, and her committee wrote the script, chose the theme, and selected games to make the rally as engaging as possible for everyone in the student body.
The rally was given a Star Wars theme, and to bring the theme to life, cutouts, posters, balloons, and photo ops were put up all around the gym. To enhance the experience, blue and red glow sticks were passed around. As students entered the gym, they were treated to a performance by the cheer team. Then, once all classes had been seated, the lights went off and our band team performed John Williams’ “Imperial March” theme. The music was played to a skit with Matty The Matador having a lightsaber battle with a bull.
The rally was settled with the help of our ASB Speakers, Nikki Banuelos and Alyssa Meraz. They welcomed the audience, and presented a video clip showing off all of the Sports playing in the Winter season. These sports include Basketball, Soccer, Wrestling, Water Polo, Dance, Color Guard, and Cheer. Next, each of the teams walked out to celebrate their accomplishments this season. After the walk outs were completed, the Cheer team performed their comp routine.
After a Sports Competition Game called ‘Trash Ping Pong,’ Principal Webster took the stage. He came out to acknowledge many students who received a perfect attendance for the fall semester. Next up, Webster announced the students who received Honor Roll, which are students who received anything from a 3.0 GPA to a 3.49 GPA. Next up, Webster congratulated all Principal’s Honor Roll recipients, which includes students who received anything from a 3.5 GPA to a 3.9 GPA. Last up, Webster honored the over 300 students who received High Honors, which included any students who received a 4.0 GPA or higher.
After Webster congratulated the academic scholars, a Class Relay was played consisting of a 3 legged race, a Hula Hoop chain, a gummy bear search, and an egg on a spoon race. Once the relay was over, students Rafael Pacheco, Gavin Heddon, Mathew Elizando, Samantha Lee, Andrew Mendoza, and Audrey Woodruff were recognized for their participation in the 2024 Rose Parade alongside Pasadena City College held on January 1. Following this was a Hip Hop Comp Routine performed by the La Mirada Dance Team. And after this, Teachers and Students went head to head in a Volleyball Balloon Race.
One of the stand out moments of the rally came towards the end. Back in October, La Mirada High’s Biomedical Science Lead, Debra Moreno, was awarded the 2023 – 2024 National Project Lead The Way Teacher of the Year Award. During the Rally, PLTW President and CEO David Dimmett formally presented Ms. Moreno with her award. She was joined by both close family and friends, as well as NLMUSD Superintendent John Lopez in addition to other staff. Ms. Moreno was also met with a standing ovation by the entire student body that lasted for several minutes, thanking her for all her hard work and dedication.
After the final game, Principal Webster thanked everyone for coming out and supporting all students and staff who were recognized for their accomplishments, and dismissed everyone for break.
