Jorge S. Hernández, A Proud South Whittier Product!

By Jorge S. Hernández

Jorge is a proud product of the South Whittier School District. He was a bilingual student at Los Altos and Monte Vista Elementary before going on to South Whittier Intermediate School (now Richard Graves Middle School). He graduated from California High School and completed his undergraduate education at the University of California, Los Angeles with a degree in Economics.

My name is Jorge Hernández and I am proud to call South Whittier my home.

My parents came from Mexico and made South Whittier their home with hopes and dreams of providing a better life for their children.

My siblings and I attended South Whittier schools, including Los Altos and Monte Vista Elementary, South Whittier Middle School and Cal High. The quality of education that we received from South Whittier schools gave us the foundation to succeed in life and college. I graduated from UCLA where I earned a degree in economics.

My parents instilled in me a passion for community involvement. They believed that disadvantaged students needed assistance to attend college, so they began selling tortas and tacos at local events to raise scholarship money. Every Sunday we were out at soccer games raising needed funds for college-bound students. More than 15 years later, well after the last of my siblings finished college, we continue to sell tortas and tacos in South Whittier.

After graduation, I returned to South Whittier to start my own business educating non-profits and their employees about the benefits of retirement planning. For many, it is the first chance they've had to look at their personal budget and learn how to build their nest egg. It is an exercise in looking ahead, setting priorities and saving money.

Now, I want to take the experience I've gained from my community service, education in economics and business experience to help save our schools.

California has cut $11.6 billion from education and I find these cuts horrifying. Our schools are in a financial crisis. Our students are being short changed. Our community is being short changed.

We need new leadership on our school board to fight for our fair share. I promise to work hand in hand with parents, teachers, administrators, and elected leaders to make South Whittier schools the best they can be.

On November 3rd, I respectfully ask your vote. If you have any questions or would like to talk about our schools, please call me at (562) 237-2561. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Jorge Hernández