Jose Bonilla

Norwalk-La Mirada Adult School

Nominated in 2023

Jose Bonilla was raised in Bellflower, California. After having some difficulty in high school, he dropped out. He attended the Norwalk-La Mirada Adult School in 2006, took the CAHSEE test and passed, but then dropped out once again. Recently, he endured an injustice at his job and was let go, but he fought back and provided evidence to support his innocence. After the incident, he returned to Norwalk-La Mirada Adult School as a high school diploma student in which he has currently thrived in his studies. He has completed LA1B and LA2A as well as earned two prestigious Extraordinary Student Awards in Mrs. Gevirtzman's ELA classes. Feeling more confident and self-assured, Jose applied for a job as a printer machine operator, interviewed, and got the job! Initially, he turned down the job, because the hours were not conducive to his goal of accomplishing his high school diploma and conflicted with school. The company was so impressed by him that they got another worker to take those hours, so they could offer Jose his desired hours instead, so he was able to keep both the job and his schooling, too! Currently, Jose is taking LA2B, Reading and Writing Improvement, Economics, and Algebra B in the daytime while working the graveyard shift. He plans to continue taking HSD classes next school year and earn his high school diploma as well, then he'll pursue his college education. Furthermore, Jose has been a positive contributor to the adult school community often encouraging and helping his classmates, making them laugh with his quick wit and exuberant, contagious chuckle, and developing his leadership skills. Jose is a true example of what can be achieved when one is courageous, humble, resilient, and determined enough to fully take advantage of all that Norwalk-La Mirada Adult School has to offer. It is for all these reasons that Jose should be strongly considered to be recognized as a Student Succeeds Award Recipient.