EVENTS

Attorney Ruben Salazar Hosts Reception for New Fontana High School Principal, Sergio Flores

In October of 2005, a racially motivated riot marred the otherwise peaceful environment and reputation of Fontana High School (FOHI). One month after the riots, the Fontana Unified School District (FUSD) promptly and wisely hired Sergio Flores as FOHI’s new Principal. Flores is bi-lingual and, like many FOHI students, comes from a family in which he and his siblings was the first to go to college, and in which his parents emigrated from Mexico and struggled financially.

On February 16, 2007, a reception was held for the new Principal of FOHI. The event was hosted by the Law Offices of Ruben Salazar, and sponsored by U.S. Congressman Joe Baca and the Educational Task Force for the Inland Empire Latino Coalition. Over 40 people attended the event, which took place at “Plaza De La Raza,” Mr. Salazar’s beautiful commercial complex in downtown Fontana.

Present were the humbled honoree, Principal Sergio Flores, Congressional Representative Sam Garcia, the organizer of the event, Attorney Ruben Salazar, the local Latino lawyer and businessman who hosted the event, Rialto Councilman Joe Baca, Jr., Jane D. Smith, FUSD Superintendent, Dr. Arlene Piazza and Laura Abernathy Mancha, Board Members of FUSD, Dr. Barbara Flores and Dr. Maria V. Balderrama, Professors at California State University San Bernardino, Garciano Gomez, Publisher of the Inland Empire Hispanic News, along with a host of other Latino educators, business people, and citizenry.

At the reception, Sam Garcia, representing Congressman Baca’s Inland Empire Latino Coalition, honored the handsome Principal Flores with a plaque of recognition. Educational issues discussed included creating special programs for the mostly low-income, English-challenged Latino student population, and hiring more Hispanic teachers and counselors. Fontana High School has almost 4,500 enrolled students in 2005, over 80% of which are Latino. Yet, FOHI has only 2 counselors and less than 10 teachers of Latino heritage. Principal Flores vowed to help motivate the young Hispanic males and to continue to hold workshops on how to help low income students devise a four-year plan to help get students into college.

For his part, Attorney Salazar offered to the educational task force his building as a venue for future events, saying, “Mi Casa Es Su Casa.” He also pledged to Principal Flores to volunteer his personal time to give free youth motivational speeches on Cinco De Mayo or September 16 holidays, in order to act as a positive role model and perhaps help inspire students to aspire for and set educational and business goals.

The Law Offices of Ruben Salazar also announced it will be conducting an educational workshop to help students with college preparation and financial aid issues. It is to be held in conjunction with a Community Services Day, which also features a Health Fair and a “Legalization Day”; scheduled to take place after the new Immigration Bill passes this year.

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Attorney Salazar , the host, with Congressional Representative, Sam Garcia, organizer of the event, Congressional Representative, Jessie Valenzuela, and a local business man.	City of Rialto Councilman, Joe Baca, Jr., and Attorney Salazar.
Fontana Unified School District Superintendent, Jane D. Smith and Attorney Salazar.	California State University San Bernardino College Professor in Language, Literacy & Culture, Maria V. Balderrama, Ed.S., Ph.D, and Attorney Salazar.
Attorney Salazar with the Head of the Post-Secondary Education section of the Educational Task Force of the Inland Empire Latino Coalition, Barbara Flores, Ph.D, California State University San Bernardino College Professor in Language, Literacy & Culture.	The Guest of Honor, Sergio Flores, Principal of Fontana High School, mingling with Councilman Baca and others.
Principal Sergio Flores, Attorney Ruben Salazar, and Graciano Gomez, Publisher/Editor of the “Inland Empire Hispanic News”.	Principal Flores, Attorney Salazar, San Bernardino College Professor Maria V. Balderrama, and a Fontana Unified School District Teacher.
San Bernardino University College Professor Balderrama introduces the event and its purpose to the attendees.	Congressional Representative Sam Garcia discusses educational issues in the Latino community and overviews Principal Flores’ past accomplishments.
City of Rialto Councilman Joe Baca, Jr. discusses the need for Hispanic unity and participation in the political process.	Attorney Ruben Salazar welcomes Principal Flores and discusses the need for more Latino political events and counselors and teachers at Fontana High School, given its’ 80% Hispanic student population.
Congressional Representative Sam Garcia welcomes and congratulates Principal Flores, and awards him with a plaque of recognition from U.S. Congressman, Joe Baca, 43rd District, California.	Principal Flores expresses his appreciation for the event and discusses his optimistic plans helping students at Fontana High School, especially the immigrant and under-privileged Latino students.
Principal Flores ends the event thanking members of Mr. Salazar’s legal staff, Legal Assistant, Lucia Tafoya, Jacquline Villa , Paralegal, and Ruby Moreno, Administrative Assistant.

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