Alliance students are utilizing technology to develop their leadership skills. Students at 12 Alliance schools are taking part in the CollegeYES program, provided by the Investment in Innovation (i3) grant, a federally funded grant designed to help develop programs that will increase student achievement in science, technology, engineering, and math, and increase college and career readiness. Alliance was one of only 49 organizations out of 1,700 applicants across the nation to receive the prestigious award.

Each semester, Alliance students are given a semester-long group research project, focused on science or career readines, in which they use technology to do research and create a multi-media project with an oral presentation.

As part of the CollegeYES program, 12 of the top performing students from each school are selected as Student Technology Leaders (STLs). These students, who are each assigned their own iPad, serve as mentors and tutors for the rest of their classmates. They learn about new computer programs and how to incorporate them into their classroom assignments, and then mentor their fellow students who need additional help.

The STL program promotes collaboration and helps the students develop their leadership skills. "In middle school I was shy to stand in front of an audience," says Mario Leon, a 9th grade STL at Alliance Environmental Science and Technology High School (ESAT), "but now I can communicate with my peers and show them how to do the projects we are assigned in class." Mario's fellow STL David Madrigal adds, "the other students give us respect - they know if they need help they can come to us."

The CollegeYES program prepares students to adapt to new and different technology, keeping them well informed and interested in their class projects. "We get to use a variety of programs like Prezie, and iMovie, we don't just do boring PowerPoint presentations," says Janet Zvniga, another STL at ESAT. The collaborative work environment, project-based approach to learning, and focus on innovative technology are all helping to shape Alliance students into future leaders.

Alliance Gertz-Ressler High School and Alliance Richard Merkin Middle School students hosted a group of Chinese exchange students and special guest Kobe Bryant on February 16th. The students practiced their Wushu Martial Arts skills with world class athletes from China and enjoyed an afternoon basketball clinic with NBA superstar Kobe Bryant. Kobe spoke about the importance of teamwork and strengthening ties with our international peers.

Alliance Students learn teamwork skills from Kobe Bryant

Gertz-Ressler and Merkin welcomed the Chinese exchange students with Mandarin Chinese greetings.  Students at both schools are studying Chinese as part of a Chinese cultural program taught in conjunction with the UCLA Confucius Institute and After-School All-Stars. The students learn about Chinese culture, take Mandarin Chinese lessons, and practice the ancient martial art of Wushu.

The 10 Chinese exchange students spent the day at Alliance Gertz-Ressler High School and Alliance Merkin Middle School. Select students who completed the Chinese cultural program had the opportunity to tour Los Angeles with their new friends from China. The group visited Disneyland and Universal Studios, and introduced the Chinese students to some of their favorite foods - Mexican food and pizza.

Alliance students are eager to gain these new cultural experiences. Michael Jimenez, a seventh grader at Merkin Middle School, who started taking Mandarin Chinese classes in the fourth grade, says, "I decided to take the Chinese cultural program because I wanted to learn something new." Steve Gonzalez, an eighth grader at Merkin, decided to participate in the program because, "I was curious to learn about other cultures and languages" adding that, "it was exciting to make new friends." 

Six Alliance parents joined more than 1,500 parents, students, leaders, and supporters from charter schools across California at the State Capitol steps in Sacramento on February 29th to call for equity and fairness for all public schools.

The rally was part of the 19th Annual California Charter Schools Conference. Alliance parents Anthony Urzua from Alliance Jack H. Skirball Middle School, Isela Cruz from Alliance Richard Merkin Middle School, Betzy Solares from Alliance Huntington Park College-Ready Academy, Carmen Membrano from Alliance Cindy and Bill Simon Technology Academy High School, and Nancy Lemus and Connie Rivera from Alliance Marc and Eva Stern Math and Science Academy received scholarships to attend the rally from the California Charter Schools Association and Families that Can.

"We need to bring more money to California schools, and fix our budget," said California Governor Jerry Brown during the rally. "Let's show people we can come together as Californians." Jed Wallace, President of the California Charter Schools Association added, "it is extremely gratifying to see so many people here in Sacramento, fighting for their voices to be heard."

World champion sprinter Carmelita Jeter visited students at Alliance William and Carol Ouchi High School and Alliance Christine O'Donovan Middle School on February 8th. Jeter visited classrooms and held a question and answer panel with students.   Ouchi and O'Donovan students had the chance to ask Jeter about her college experience at California State University, Dominguez Hills. She stressed how much her hard work in high school helped her prepare for success in college.

Today I found out I got accepted to the Masters Program at the University of Iowa for their Geography Department where I am also admitted to their highly selective sub-interdisciplinary program, which is an IGERT program paid by National Science Foundation! This program was my first choice, and in fact, was the only school I applied to.

Last semester I finished my undergraduate senior thesis, focused on environmental justice theory. This is a topic I am passionate about, and plan to pursue in my graduate studies. I have also been nominated for a Bolton Award because of it.  

When I finish graduate school, I want to be a community-based collaborative researcher that engages the community in a research process to achieve social justice and equity.

After all these years, I just want to say thank you to everyone at the Alliance for believing in me and for being a mentor and a friend when I need one. This is why I would like to share this first big accomplishment with you.

Sincerely,

Cristina Munoz