WVUSD: 2016/2017 Year-End Results
• The Diamond Bar High School Wellness Center was one of ten high school programs
nationally awarded the 2016 Inspired Changemaker Award sponsored by Facebook and
Yale’s Center for Emotional Intelligence. The wellness program was recognized for its
pioneering efforts to provide social and emotional support, educational resources, and
events for students, as well as promoting a more positive school climate. The award
included a $5,000 grant and an all-expense paid trip to attend the 2016 Inspired Summit.
• Adapted Physical Education (APE) teachers Kris Rote, Greg Sasaki, Deanne Rodriguez,
and Mika Chan were acknowledged for their extraordinary efforts by being awarded the
2016 Exemplary Program Award by the State Council of Adapted Physical Education.
• The undefeated Walnut High School Varsity Girls’ Golf Team clinched the 2016 CIF State
Championship. The Mustang team won their first title by edging out Troy High School by
three strokes in the championship. Coach Cecil Woods was selected the Southern
Section Girls Golf Coach of the Year by the California Coaches Association.
• Diamond Bar High School Math teacher Dena Lordi was awarded 2 nd place and $10,000 in
the 2016 Rosenthal Prize for Innovation in Math Teaching. The National Museum of
Mathematics recognizes innovative, hands-on math lessons geared toward elementary and
middle school students.
• South Pointe Middle School teacher Susan Willmering was tapped as the 2017 Southern
Section Outstanding Music Educator of the Year by the California Music Educators
Association.
• Diamond Bar and Walnut High Schools were featured in Newsweek’s 2016 Report of 500
Best High Schools in America. The news magazine’s annual list highlights public high
schools that do the best job of preparing students for college.
• Diamond Bar High was ranked the #1 High School in California by Start Class for college
readiness, graduation rates, and more. The report is based on college prep measures,
student-teacher ratios, disciplinary actions, graduation rates, and exam passing rates in
Math, Reading, and Language Arts over the last three years.
• In February, ten talented Diamond Bar and Walnut High School singers were selected to
join the 2017 All-State Choir Conference in San Jose. Students were selected for the
elite group by earning high scores during regional honor choir competitions. Additionally,
20 elite musicians performed with the All-State Concert Band, Orchestra, and String
Orchestra.
• The Diamond Bar High School Symphony Orchestra was voted Grand Champion during
the American String Teachers Association conference in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The
group was one of 17 ensembles from around the country invited to perform at the
conference where top string and full orchestras participated in clinics, workshops,
masterclasses, and competitions.
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