Hub City youth explore careers
Seeking academic excellence
Compton students recently spent several days exploring opportunities on their academic career paths. At left, Roosevelt Middle School seventh-grader Natachi Onwudiwe, who said she wants to be either a science teacher go to medical school, won first place in the Compton Unified School District science fair with her project Soil Pit to the Rescue. It demonstrated the effect of acidity on soil and plant growth. At right, youngsters from the Kelly Elementary School band and orchestra warm up before a performance at the Arts and Aviation Career Expo.
Darin Brawley has been appointed the new Superintendent of Compton Unified School District at a very tough time.
He replaces interim superintendent Carmella Franco, and is the fifth person to hold the position in the last 10 years.
Compton Unified School District’s Laurel Elementary celebrates dual honors received from the state—being named a California Distinguished School and a Title I Academic Achievement award winner. Officials recently marked the occasion. Pictured above from left are second grade teacher Guadalupe Velasco, former principal Francisca Owoage, Ed.D., school secretary Gordon Jenkins, current principal Frank Lozier to her left, second grade teacher Marlene Veliz and Interim Superintendent Karen Frison.
More than 50 Compton Unified School District (CUSD) students, grades K through 5, overcame stage fright to perform monologues, poems, and essays at the district’s annual oratorical contest.
Janna Zurita, cousin of former Compton Mayor Omar Bradley, narrowly defeated two-term City Councilwoman Barbara Calhoun, and is expected to be sworn into office no later than July 1. After failing to obtain the 50 percent plus one vote needed to win outright, the outgoing second district councilwoman, who has often been ally of current mayor Eric Perrodin battled Zurita for the council slot. Despite her low showing in the April primary (615 votes), Zurita upset Calhoun by capturing 1,637 (51 percent) of the ballots cast.
In the 31 years she has worked at the Compton Adult School, Saundra Bishop says this is the worst financial situation the program has faced.
“Bar none. It’s the worst time for education period, but adult education specifically and other categorical programs in general,” said the longtime director of the Compton Adult School.
