Valencia High School

Before you panic, Ms. Bernier is NOT leaving Valencia High School. We know your hearts all skipped a beat when you saw her photo. What she is doing is being named as one of the ten finalists for the National Society of High School Scholars Claes Nobel Educator of the Year Award. She was nominated by one of her students and was then further lauded by colleagues who submitted letters of recommendation describing her passion and dedication to education, students, and the community. With this honor, she received a $1000 prize and will be honored in Washington, DC in August 2019. We are so proud of Ms. Bernier and are honored to have her in our Viking family.

This sad empty seat is usually filled by our amazingly friendly receptionist, Susie Johnson. She is the voice that greets you with, "It's a great day at Valencia High School." Now, she will greet people at the William S. Hart Union High School District Office as she joins their special education office staff. We will miss Susie's cheery face (we kept her a mystery to those of you who only hear her voice on the phone) in our office every day but we wish her luck in her promotion.

Let's a take a moment for a humble brag. Viking alumna, Jaden Lewis, brought down the house at the Walt Disney Concert Hall on Tuesday night as she closed the Spotlight Awards show with her rendition of "I'm Here" from The Color Purple. "America's Got Talent" producer, Nigel Lithgow, even pulled her back on stage to revel in the standing ovation she received. A recipient of the Spotlight Award, Jaden won a $5000 scholarship alongside 13 other young performers. Jaden is moving on to a full scholarship at Texas Christian University where she will study Musical Theatre and we expect to see her on the stage in a very short while. Remember, Jaden, ! Congratulations. You deserve these accolades and this success.

Mr. Gill has been a part of many students' lives for many years at Valencia High School. He's worked with some of our most at-risk students over a number of years and now supports students through the relationships he builds and the advice his many years' experience afford him. He's going to take this supportive style to Saugus High School to help guide more Centurions down the right path.