On Wednesday, September 10, 2025, the Annual Whittier Union High School District (WUHSD) District College Fair took place from 6 pm to 8 pm. The District College Fair aims to inform students and families about education and career opportunities beyond high school. It allows students and families to be aware and informed about the resources that are available.
The event is open to the students and their families in the (WUHSD) community. The location rotates every year and this year the fair took place at Pioneer High School (PHS). PHS Assistant Principal of Business and Activities, Dyan Acevedo and PHS College and Career Specialist, Jennifer Sedillo coordinated the fair for this year. There were 76 college representatives at the fair and over 1,000 guests who attended. Colleges included California State Universities (Cal States), Universities of California (UC’s), private colleges, community colleges, and out of state colleges and universities. There were also representatives for career and trade schools, and the military. There were six tables representing Rio Hondo College: Student Services, Career Tech Education (CTE), the Police Academy, Disabled Student Programs and Services (DSPS), the Math and Science programs, and TRIO Educational Talent Search (ETS). There were a few workshops to inform high school students including information about financial aid, A through G requirements, how to read transcripts, and a resource opportunity for parents. Workshops were offered both in English and Spanish. There was a guest speaker speaking on the stage in the plaza on the campus.
Over the years, the District College Fair has aimed to inform students and their families about college options and information with an emphasis on the four year colleges and universities. Within the past couple of years, the focus has broadened to also include an emphasis on community college and career readiness opportunities. Sedillo explained that “The team’s goals were to bring important information regarding college and career technical information to our community. We understand that a four year university is not beneficial for everyone so we really wanted to bring CTE programs and CCC to our fair to give more variety to the community.”
The District Fair for the past couple of years has also focused on a more holistic approach to showcasing higher education and career readiness. Assistant Principal Acevedo explained how the District College Fair helped students and their parents learn about what is available. She mentioned that the career aspect of the District College Fair was added and it is about two years old and that they have “…incorporated some type of CTE pathway or some type of trade school as well as the arts and the institutes.” She also mentioned that not all students want to go to college immediately and that trade school could be the best route for them.
Another aspect that she explained about the District College Fair was that the focus is not only about looking at the universities themselves and the academics but also “…looking at the resources whether it’s through their wellness centers, whether it’s through their disability centers, whether it’s through a transfer portal. We have an NCAA [National Collegiate Athletic Association] Rep here as well. And so we’re trying to bring the holistic version to a college fair rather than just a single university and the name of it” Acevedo said.
Not only was there more representation in community college and CTE, but there is also starting to be more representation on college services for students with disabilities. Disabled Student Programs and Services (DSPS) Director, Sean Osborn was representing Rio Hondo College’s DSPS table. Students and parents approached the table to get goodies and more information about services that would be available for students with Independent Education Plans (IEPs) and 504 Plans after they graduate high school and attend Rio Hondo College. An IEP is a mandated document for students with disabilities in K-12 that outlines goals, services, needs, and accommodations. A 504 Plan is a document for students with disabilities in K-12 that ensures that they have equal access to education through providing necessary accommodations. Osborn explained in detail to the students and parents how students with IEPs and 504s can apply for the DSPS program even before they graduate from high school. Osborn mentioned that he displayed the “Do you have an IEP or 504?” sign. This is so students do not feel that they have to explain that they have an IEP or a 504. Students can instead start asking questions about what DSPS offers and how to apply.
There was something for every guest at the District College Fair. Some guests were there to browse universities, community colleges, CTE, or military options, some came to learn more in depth about programs and services from specific campuses. Others came to see what was going on, to grab goodies from the tables, or to be with the community. Specialist Sedillo mentioned that the expectations and the outcomes of the District College Fair “were definitely met” and that “There was amazing feedback from the community, administration, and students!” “We definitely think that we gave the WUHSD community the right tools to pioneer their road to success.”
