Recognizing Arvin High School
Floor Speech
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Mr. VALADAO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Arvin High School on their 75th anniversary and thank them for their significant contributions to the Arvin community. Arvin High School began serving students in the rural communities of Arvin, Lamont, and Weedpatch in 1949 as part of the Kern High School District. Since their founding, Arvin High School has been committed to serving their students through a diverse array of educational programs, extracurricular activities, and college-level courses. Today, the school's student body is made up of nearly 3,000 students. The mission of Arvin High School is to encourage P.R.I.D.E--participation, responsibility, integrity, determination, and empathy, and to provide students with the skills they need to succeed in their futures. Under the leadership of Principal Ed Watts, Arvin High School has received full accreditation through the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, recognizing their dedication to high-quality education and school improvement. Through their Career Technical Education program, students at Arvin High School have the unique opportunity to gain experience in the career path of their choice. In these twelve pathways offerings, students learn how to succeed in numerous fields including health sciences, building and construction, agriculture, and engineering. The CTE program also includes a ROTC pathway, providing students who are interested in serving in the armed forces with the experience they need to thrive after they leave Arvin High School. The staff and faculty at Arvin High School are committed to the educational outcomes of every student. In 2023, 89 students were recipients of a California Scholarship Federation membership, which is awarded to students who demonstrate a high-level of academic achievement. The class of 2023 also received nearly 200 Biliteracy Seals and Golden State Seal of Merit awards, and 16 National Honor Society recognitions. This school year, in partnership with Bakersfield College, Arvin High School is offering almost 70 sections of Dual Enrollment course offerings--giving students a chance to earn college credits before they even graduate high school. In just the past three years alone, Arvin High School has helped 25 students receive their Associate of Arts for Transfer degree in Communication Studies through this initiative. In honor of their work to provide students with dual enrollment opportunities, Arvin High School was one of nine schools recognized as an Exemplary Dual Enrollment School by the California Department of Education in 2023. Arvin High School has been nationally recognized for their academic extracurriculars, including Academic Decathlon, Mock Trial, and the ``We the People'' Constitution Team, which was started by former teacher Larry Hallum in 1987. Mr. Hallum was one of the many teachers at Arvin High School who has received accolades for his dedication to his students. To celebrate the legacy of Mr. Hallum, the Kern High School District created the ``Spirit of Arvin High School'' Memorial Scholarship to support future college students in the district. It is because of the commitment of teachers at Arvin High School like Mr. Hallum that students in the Central Valley community flourish, and I want to thank all the faculty and staff at Arvin High School for creating a learning environment that helps our youth become the best they can be.
Mr. Speaker, I ask all my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to join me in celebrating Arvin High School on their 75th anniversary. Their work to enrich the lives of students in the community of Arvin will be felt for generations to come.
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