The Lynwood Alumni Center celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony with an array of community leaders and supporters.

LYNWOOD, Calif. — The Lynwood Alumni Center celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by an array of community leaders and supporters. The center will serve as a cornerstone of community engagement, offering alumni a variety of resources to assist them after high school.

The ribbon cutting ceremony was accompanied by LUSD Board Members and staff, students, City Officials and LPEF Board and Staff.

The new Alumni Center was warmly welcomed by the community, educators, and leaders during a celebration filled with music, food, and nostalgia. “We want to give back as a district to the community, and this is a place where alumni and current students can come and get the needed resources that other districts don’t provide,” said Dr. Shawna Dinkins, Deputy Superintendent at Lynwood Unified School District.

The event featured a performance by the Lynwood High School Marching Band, directed by Michael Cervantes, and food provided by the Lynwood High School Culinary Arts Program under the guidance of Olga Muñoz. Refreshments were provided by Helping Hands Coffee.

Lynwood High School Marching Band Students directed by Michael Cervantes.

“The idea for the Lynwood Alumni Center originated during a brainstorming session with Christine Arostigue-Manson, Lynwood Unified Secondary Director, David Ramirez, Lynwood Unified Community Partnership Specialist and leader of the Lynwood Alumni Association, and me. We were collaborating on an application for the California Community Foundation’s Los Angeles Scholars Investment Fund in March 2022. Our efforts paid off with a $200,000 grant to establish the center, as well as funding for college scholarships and emergency grants. Thank you, California Community Foundation, for believing in our idea,” said Elsa Chagolla, Executive Director at Lynwood Partners Educational Foundation.

Inside the Lynwood Alumni Center.

The Foundation is set to host its second annual Alumni Awards Gala on September 26, 2024, at Bateman Hall and encourages alumni to join the celebration by nominating their peers for their accomplishments. Further details about this event and nominations can be found at https://www.lynwoodalumnigala.org/awards.

The Lynwood Alumni Center represents a significant investment in the future success and well-being of the alumni and student community of Lynwood. By providing a dedicated space for networking, support, and collaboration, it aims to empower individuals to achieve their academic, professional, and personal goals while fostering a strong sense of community and belonging. For more information about the center and the Foundation you can visit us at https://www.lynwoodedfoundation.org/lynwood-alumni-center.

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