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The class of 2025 received a classic send-off Thursday as more than 500 students from Claremont High, San Antonio High, and Claremont Adult School were awarded their high school diplomas.
Claremont and San Antonio high schools, and Claremont Adult Schools’ 2025 graduation ceremonies will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 12, at the CHS athletic field, 1601 N. Indian Hill Blvd.
University of La Verne’s May 31 commencement at Ortmayer Athletics Complex included 1,555 graduates.
A public meeting to discuss the recent increase in coyote encounters in Claremont is scheduled for Tuesday, June 17 at the Joslyn Center, 660 N. Mountain Ave.
“‘Good morning, Irene. This is an awesome kid here: super friendly, super sweet, wonderful artist,’ Sonja Lakin says to a tall, kindly faced sixth grader named Irene Zhu. Irene has known Lakin since she was in kindergarten. When told of her looming retirement, her mouth dropped open, and her eyes grew large. ‘Oh my gosh! No! Wait, no. I had no idea,’ Irene said. ‘She’s very nice. And whenever you need help from her she always helps you. She’s very sweet. And every time she smiles, you want to smile too.’ I can back Irene up on that.”
On a recent weekday afternoon, the First Baptist Church of Claremont was still and silent — pews empty, sunlight streaming through its colored glass block windows. But on Friday, June 13, at 7 p.m., this sanctuary will be filled with the singing and piano playing of the Spectrum Dreams Music & Art Ensemble, a group of autistic and neurotypical kids who are finding joy and connection through music. Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo
Fourteen Pomona Valley athletes and their coaches will be among hundreds competing at the 2025 Special Olympics Southern California Summer Games June 7-8 at California State University Long Beach, including (L-R) coach Tony Ferguson and athletes Amadeo Pina and Erick Santacruz, pictured at a recent training session at Claremont High. Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo
Claremont High School running prodigy Grace Smith capped a phenomenal freshman track season last weekend, placing second in the 800-meters with a personal best of 2:07 at the CIF State Championships. It was the fastest time recorded in the nation this year for a freshman in the 800-meter event. “I was super excited to get second at state because at the beginning of the season, my goal was top three,” Smith said. Photo/by Joy Cheng
Gary Geiman’s Pride flag is one of many on view at Pilgrim Place. The motivation, he said, was wanting to live in a “community that was inclusive, affirming, and open to everybody. I display an American flag, too, not because everything is perfect as it is, but because of what I hope it can be.” Photo/by Cecilie Bomstad
Congratulations to Marlene Morgan, one of seven readers who correctly identified last week’s “Where am I?” as “The Wind Mobile” by California artist Phill Evans in Fay’s Wildflower Meadow at California Botanic Garden in Claremont. Marlene is now entered into the year-end drawing for a one-year subscription to everyone’s favorite award-winning local newspaper, the Claremont Courier. So, “Where am I” this week? Email your answer, full name, and city of residence — and suggestions for future mystery photos — to contest@claremont-courier.com for your chance to win. Courier photo/Tom Smith
This year, as in every year since 1865, people of African descent living in Texas and all over the U.S. will commemorate “Juneteenth,” the day, June 19, when the U.S. Army announced the “news” of the Emancipation Proclamation in Galveston, Texas — 2 1/2 years after Lincoln’s declaration on January 1, 1863.
With Sunday, June 1 marking the start of Pride Month, the Rev. Jessie Turnier, rector of Claremont’s St. Ambrose Episcopal Church, called on an old friend, John Brett, to help deliver a unique 9 a.m. service dubbed “drag Eucharist.”
Claremont High School freshman Chloe Rockne invites the public to take part in a noon to 2 p.m. ocean cleanup at Newport Pier, 1 Newport Pier, Newport Beach, on Saturday, June 7.
“It also occurs to me that there are no doubt many Claremont residents who have little or no contact with or awareness of the Colleges here. But, even if they don’t think about it or realize it, they no doubt enjoy what the Colleges brought to Claremont. They no doubt enjoy what the Colleges have contributed to Claremont, how the Colleges have influenced Claremont.”
Claremont High School track coach Ernie Gregoire always knew his team was something special. Along with that belief came the confidence that several girls varsity runners would not only post Palomares League victories, but also compete at the 2025 California Interscholastic Federation State Championships. And that’s exactly what happened. Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo
“‘Designing Our Community: HMC Architects in the Pomona Valley,’ up through July 13 at Chaffey Community Museum of Art in Ontario, features the striking architectural photography of the great Julius Shulman and Leland Y. Lee documenting the population explosion of the Pomona Valley from about 1945 into 1960s, and all that came with it.”