Claremont School News
The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, or FIRE, recently released its 2026 free speech rankings of 257 American colleges measuring speech climates on their campuses, and while four of the five Claremont Colleges’ undergraduate institutions received an “F,” Claremont McKenna College was ranked number one in the nation. Photo/courtesy of CMC
The Webb Schools girls soccer: the red hot Webb girls soccer team kept their winning streak alive with a December 13, 3-0 win at Glendora. The team has now moved into fifth place in the all-time CIF record book for consecutive wins with 28.
by Andrew Alonzo | aalonzo@claremont-courier.com Fans of Claremont High School boys soccer received news last summer they never thought they’d hear: longtime varsity head coach Fred Bruce-Oliver was stepping down after 42 years with the program. First hired in 1980, Bruce-Oliver became the boys varsity head coach in 1986. He led the team to two […]
Webb Schools: The red-hot Webb girls soccer team just keeps on winning. On December 8, the Gauls traveled to Arrowhead Christian and came away with a 5-3 victory, then dealt St. Lucy’s a 3-0 shutout December 10. The Webb girls kicked off San Joaquin League play in style December 13 at Capistrano Valley Christian with a 7-0 win. It hosted Glendora after press time December 15. The team has won 27-consecutive games, including all competitions.
On a rainy Sunday, December 11, Claremont McKenna College unveiled the design for its float for the 2023 Rose Parade at Fiesta Parade Floats in Irwindale. It was no secret many fans came to meet the Tournament of Roses 2023 Royal Court, who made an appearance for photos and questions. This year’s court includes Queen Bella Ballard, princesses Michelle Cortez-Peralta, Sahanna Rajinikanthan, Salia Baligh, Adrian Crick, Zoë Denoncourt, and Uma Wittenberg. All of whom are pictured here with Clare Hubbard, 7. COURIER photo/Peter Weinberger
Claremont Unified School District’s Board of Education will likely appoint a replacement for its former president, Steven Llanusa, who resigned Saturday. The board is set to vote on whether or not to designate a subcommittee to recommend an appointment to Llanusa’s now vacant Trustee Area 4 seat at its 6 p.m. Thursday, December 15 public meeting at the district offices, 170 W. San Jose Ave., Claremont.
Claremont Unified School District Superintendent Jim Elsasser administers the oath of office to former COURIER editor Kathryn Dunn, pictured above, during a special meeting of the CUSD Board of Education on Friday, December 9. Dunn will represent Trustee Area 1.
Embattled Claremont Unified School District Board of Education President Steven Llanusa has resigned. The move, announced at 1:30 p.m. today, comes after a week in which several parents — and Llanusa’s four colleagues on CUSD’s Board of Education — asked for his resignation following widely reported allegations of misconduct at a recent holiday party at his home that included shirtless adult male entertainers and underage Claremont High students. “Earlier today, Board Vice President Archer and I received a letter of resignation from Board member Steven Llanusa, effective immediately,” wrote CUSD Superintendent Jim Elsasser in an email to district parents. “In the very near future, the Board of Trustees will discuss the next steps for filling this vacant position. Thank you for your patience during this very difficult week.”
Four fifths of the Claremont Unified School District Board of Education and several angry parents are calling for the resignation of Board President Steven Llanusa, citing widely reported allegations of misconduct at a recent holiday party at his home that included shirtless adult male entertainers and underage Claremont High students. Photos from the Saturday, December 3 party at Llanusa’s north Claremont home in the Claraboya district show shirtless men flexing their muscles and mugging for the camera, while members of the Claremont High School Choir — who were hired by Llanusa to perform at the event — are nearby.
Newly elected board member Richard O’Neill listens to public comment during a special meeting of the Claremont Unified School District Board of Education on Friday. Following public comment, the board recessed into closed session to discuss the district’s possible exposure to litigation over an adult party at Board President Steven Llanusa’s home that some residents believe was inappropriate because teens attended. COURIER photo/Steven Felschundneff
At 11 a.m. on Sunday, December 11, Claremont McKenna College will unveil a float it plans to enter in the 2023 Rose Parade during a family fun day at Fiesta Parade Floats.
An El Roble Intermediate School student was arrested by Claremont police Friday for having a replica gun on campus. After being called by school officials at 12:15 p.m., police arrested a 12-year-old Claremont boy for being in possession of an Airsoft gun on school grounds. The student was taken to the Claremont police station, cited, and released to the custody of a guardian. Claremont police haven’t yet said if the boy has been charged with a crime.
After years of mulling the idea of opening a wine making business with her husband, Jordan, Glendora native Cleo de la Torre finally took the leap of faith. After retiring from Claremont High, in spring 2020 the former English teacher and her husband opened Mas Alla Winesin San Diego.
Michelle Téllez, an Associate Professor in the Department of Mexican American Studies at the University of Arizona, will present “Beyond the Wall: Fronteriza and Feminist Imaginaries” from noon to 2 p.m. Wednesday, November 30 in Scripps College’s Hampton Room. 1030 Columbia Ave., Claremont. The talk is free and open to the public.
Earlier this month, former Webb Schools Head of Schools Susan A. Nelson was awarded the 2022 and 13th annual Ruzicka Compass Premier Leadership Award by The Association of Boarding Schools. The award, named for the late Steven D. Ruzicka, recognizes extraordinary contributions to the excellence, advancement and success of boarding schools.
Last week, The Claremont Colleges hosted its annual Town & Gown event at Pomona College’s Sontag Greek Theatre, bringing together local community members (town) with the college community (gown) to foster the relationship between the colleges and the City of Claremont. In the photo, Maria Tipping from the city greets Suzanne Keen from Scripps College. COURIER photo/Peter Weinberger
Lionel Messi, Tom Brady, Michael Jordan. These people are the best at what they do. When you think of Messi, you think of soccer. Everyone thinks Messi is the best at soccer. Or maybe some people think Ronaldo is the best, but you can’t argue that Messi is not one of the best players in soccer. Everyone is excited about the World Cup that’s coming up. I’m also excited, but Messi said this will be his last World Cup. Isn’t that sad? I can’t imagine soccer without him.