GARDENING RADIO TALK SHOW HOST IS KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Rowland, Bassett, Hacienda-La Puente School Districts, La Puente Valley ROP host annual ‘Principal for a Day’ as a major ‘business involvement in education’ event
America’s natural master gardener and national radio talk show host Nick Federoff is the scheduled keynote speaker at this year’s La Puente Valley “Principal for a Day” program this month (Wednesday, March 18) in the City of Industry as community business leaders learn first-hand what it’s like to run their local school.
Considered the region’s most comprehensive annual community outreach program, “Principal for a Day” has continued as a major business and education partnership each year for more than 22 years in the Bassett, Rowland and Hacienda-La Puente Unified School Districts
Outstanding students representing school districts serving more than 113,000 students in more than 72 schools will receive scholarships during the 11:30 a.m. luncheon ceremony of the annual program at the Pavilion at Industry Hills Expo Center , 16200 Temple Ave. Azusa Avenue Industry
This year’s theme is “Growing Leaders for Tomorrow.”
Federoff, a resident of Whittier , has been on the air in Southern California since 1988 and nationwide since 1995 with an award-winning weekly program on the Environmental Media Broadcasting Radio Network. As a college instructor and seminar lecturer, he travels the country addressing contemporary, environmental and biological issues while providing information and ideas for the beginning and seasoned gardener.
He holds a degree in ornamental horticulture and is an active member of the Garden Writers Association of America and is a lifetime honorary member of the California Association of Nurserymen, among many other affiliations.
He has appeared on national television programs including ABC’s Carol & Marilyn Show, Fox Morning News, The Donny & Marie Show and others, and has been featured in trade and consumer publications including Forbes Fortune Magazine.
Federoff is considered the “most listened to” garden expert in the nation.
“This exciting program brings together the students, teachers, principals and administrators with members of the community in a highly valuable event that not only recognizes student achievers but illustrates to our business leaders where we are in education today,” said Robert I. Watanabe, Superintendent of the Bassett Unified School
More than 70 guest principals will go to work from 8 to 11 a .m.La Puente , City of Industry and Baldwin Park across the southern portion of the East San Gabriel Valley
Business and community leaders interested in registering for this year’s Principal for a Day program are encouraged to contact their local school district’s office of the superintendent.
Watanabe said the program, which has honored many of the area’s leading students through the years, requires nearly four months of planning to produce and again this year will include student musical and cheerleading performances along with scholarship awards to the top 14 students throughout the region.
The scholarships themselves are provided by the various sponsors supporting the event, Watanabe said.
“The program was created right here by our local school districts – and since has been implemented by other school districts in Southern California – to establish a partnership with leading members of the business community to make them aware of the role and responsibilities of a principal and how they as a business can also contribute to the success of the entire educational system,” Watanabe said. “This is important because many of the students who graduate from our school districts eventually go on to become their employees, making this a true public/private partnership.”
Event lead sponsors each year include the Industry Manufacturers Council, Alcoa Fastening, Jostens and Wal-Mart, along with more than a dozen additional sponsors.
Highlights at the luncheon event will include entertainment by the Nogales High School Choir, the playing of the national anthem by the Nogales Band, and a welcome “cheer” by the Nogales High School Squad.
Master of Ceremonies for the activities again this year will be Donald Sachs, Executive Director of the Industry Manufacturers Council.
Pictured - America’s natural master gardener and national radio talk show host Nick Federoff is the scheduled keynote speaker at this year’s “Principal for a Day”