Parkview’s Parade Celebrates America’s Landmarks

Parkview’s Parade Celebrates America’s Landmarks

     A beloved El Monte tradition, Parkview School’s 44th Annual Americanism Parade succeeded in bringing the school and community together to celebrate our great country.  “Landmarks of America” was this year’s parade theme and each class, Transitional Kindergarten through sixth grade, represented one of the many American Landmarks including the Civil Rights Memorial, the Kennedy Space Center, the American River, the Golden Gate Bridge, Abraham Lincoln’s home and many more as they marched down the parade route.

     Joining in the parade line up were El Monte Police Chief, David Reynoso and police department personnel including the mounted police, the SWAT and ADAPT trucks, and the traffic safety bureau, Think Together staff, parent volunteers, Parkview retirees, and the exceptional marching bands from Kranz Intermediate School, Madrid Middle School, South El Monte High School, and Mt. View High School.   Hundreds of community members and students from surrounding schools lined the streets waving pom-poms and American Flags as they cheered on the students marching by.       

     Serving as Masters’ of Ceremonies were George Schonborn, MVSD’s Director of Pupil Personnel Services and Tony Lugo, Principal of La Primaria School, who provided an informative and humorous commentary, complete with several historical facts about America’s landmarks. Parkview’s Teacher of the Year, Araceli Gaeta and Classified Employee of the Year, Adeline Velasco were escorted down the parade route atop a convertible Mustang and serving as Parade Grand Marshals were retired Parkview staff members Diane Villagran-Basil and Susana Ruiz who each dedicated many years serving the school.  

     Viewing from the grand stands were El Monte Mayor Pro Tem Jerry Velasco and MVSD Board of Education members Christian Diaz, Jacqueline Saldaña and Cindy Wu, Superintendent, Lillian Maldonado French, as well as several MVSD administrators and staff members. 

     “We are so excited to host this great parade year after year,” said Donelle Soto, Parkview’s principal. “The community support is always outstanding and it is wonderful to see our students showing their great patriotism and having so much fun in the parade.  It truly is a beloved tradition for so many residents and families and something our Parkview team looks forward to each year.”       

      The Americanism Parade is the culminating activity to a month of patriotic research, writing, language and drama activities Parkview students participate in during February encouraging their appreciation of America and its freedoms.  The school is happy to be in its fourth decade hosting the parade and creating life-long memories for Parkview students and families.

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