Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, December 13, 2025

MVNews this week:  Page 6

6 EDUCATION AND YOUTHMountain Views-News Saturday November 22, 2025 
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF PASADENA LAUNCHES NEW 
DENA TEEN CENTER WITH GRAND OPENING SCHOOL DIRECTORY 


Teens, families, and supporters celebrated the 
new space with free food, activities, and ribbon 
cutting led by the Mayor of Pasadena 

Pasadena, CA – On Saturday the Boys & Girls 
Club of Pasadena (BGCP) proudly celebrated 
the grand opening of its new Dena Teen Center,
a dedicated 10,000sf space for teens from Altadena, 
Pasadena, and Sierra Madre. As a major 
milestone in the Club’s Future Ready work, the 
Dena Teen Center officially opened its doors at 
the BGCP Clubhouse at 2020 North Fair Oaks 
Avenue, featuring a newly designed, fully separate 
entrance and space created specifically for 
high school youth.
The December 6 community launch event drew 
an enthusiastic turnout of teens, families, and 
local supporters who gathered for an afternoon 
of food, fun, and celebration. A highlight of the 
day was the ribbon-cutting ceremony led by 
the Mayor of Pasadena, Victor Gordo & Board 
Chair, Melina Montoya, marking the official 
opening of this exciting new resource for local 
high school teens.
Empowering Programs and ResourcesWith strengthened local partnerships and a 
purpose-built environment, the new center provides 
teens with access to: 

• Life and workforce readiness programs 
• College access and preparation support 
through College Access Plan (CAP)
• Culinary arts and practical skills training
• Sports and recreation, including game 
rooms, a fitness room, and a full gym with basketball, 
volleyball, soccer, and a climbing wall
• Wellness services from partner Young &
Healthy
• Free mental health counseling from licensed 
local therapists
• StudioX, BGCP’s innovation lab 
• Upcoming teen-designed features such 
as a music recording studio, driver’s education, 
and a DIY maker spaceA Space Designed for Teens, by TeensThe Dena Teen Center was built with direct input 
from BGCP’s Teen Advisory Council, ensuring 
the space truly reflects what young people 
want and need — a place to decompress, connect, 
and prepare for their futures. Teens ages 13 
and up attend BGCP programs for free, and high 
school students now have full access to all Dena 
Teen Center programming at no cost.
A Vibrant Community CelebrationAttendees enjoyed a variety of activities and offerings 
throughout the event, including:

• Raffle prizes and swag bag giveaways
• Delicious tacos handmade by local business 
owners, and free coffee from Café de Leche
• A ribbon cutting with the Mayor and 
community leaders
• Teen-guided tours of the Dena Teen 
Center 
• A photo booth, and bouquet-making 
and art activities 
• Information about BGCP’s Youth of the 
Year scholarships, College & Career Bound programs, 
mental health resources, and other teen-
focused services 
Rebuilding Community and Support“Young people today are facing more pressures 
than ever before — from pandemic disruptions 
and wildfire recovery to social media stress and 
economic uncertainty,” said Lisa Cavelier, CEO 
of the Boys & Girls Club of Pasadena. “The successful 
launch of the Dena Teen Center shows 
just how much our community believes in our 
teens. This space is our promise to them: a place 
they can call their own, filled with structure, 
care, and opportunity.” 
About the Boys & Girls Club of PasadenaFor nearly 90 years, the Boys & Girls Club of Pasadena 
has enriched the lives of young people in 
the community. Today, BGCP serves hundreds 
of Pasadena-area youth daily across its two Pasadena 
Clubhouses and Altadena after-school program 
site, providing academic support, enrichment 
programs, mentorship, and opportunities 
that build resilience and prepare kids for bright 
futures. Through its Future Ready initiative — 
which includes the new Dena Teen Center — 
BGCP is ensuring that every child and teen in 
Altadena, Pasadena, and Sierra Madre has a safe, 
supportive, and inspiring place to belong. 
For more information about the Dena Teen 
Center, visit https://www.bgcpasadena.org/programs/
teens or contact Alyssa Martinez at alyssa.
martinez@bgcpasadena.org. 

Alverno Heights Academy200 N. Michillinda Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 
(626) 355-3463Head of School: Joanne Harabedian 
E-mail address: jharabedian@alvernoheights.org 

Arcadia Christian School 
1900 S. Santa Anita Avenue Arcadia, CA 91006Preschool - TK - 8th Grade 
626-574-8229/626-574-0805Email:inquiry@acslions.comPrincipal: Cindy Harmonwebsite: www.acslions.com 

Arcadia High School180 Campus Drive Arcadia, CA 91007Phone: (626) 821-8370, Principal: Brent Forseebforsee@ausd.net 

Arroyo Pacific Academy41 W. Santa Clara St. Arcadia, Ca,

(626) 294-0661 Principal: Phil ClarkeE-mail address: pclarke@arroyopacific.org 
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary SchoolMs. Rose Navarro, Principal2660 East Orange Grove Blvd.
Pasadena, Ca 91107626-793-2089 
https://school.abvmpasadena.org/ 

Barnhart School 
240 W. Colorado Blvd Arcadia, Ca. 91007 
(626) 446-5588Head of School: Tonya BeilsteinKindergarten - 8th gradewebsite: www.barnhartschool.org 

Bethany Christian School93 N. Baldwin Ave. Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 
(626) 355-3527Preschool-TK-8th Grade 
Principal: Jonathan Haweswebsite: www. bcslions.org 

Clairbourn School 
8400 Huntington DriveSan Gabriel, CA 91775Phone: 626-286-3108 ext. 172 
FAX: 626-286-1528 
E-mail: jhawes@clairbourn.org 

Foothill Oaks Academy822 E. Bradbourne Ave., Duarte, CA 91010(626) 301-9809Principal: Nancy Lopezwww.foothilloaksacademy.orgoffice@foothilloaksacademy.org 

Frostig School971 N. Altadena Drive Pasadena, CA 91107(626) 791-1255Head of School: Jenny Janetzke 
Email: jenny@frostig.org 

The Gooden School 
192 N. Baldwin Ave. Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 
(626) 355-2410Head of School, Jo-Anne Woolner 
website: www.goodenschool.org 

SUBMIT YOUR ENTRIES TO THE 
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. 
ESSAY AND VISUAL ARTS 
CONTESTS AND WIN PRIZES!! 

2026 Contest Theme Is: “Resilience and 
Renewal: Social Justice, Equality, and 
Community Empowerment” 

As we enter 2026, we reflect on the vision 
conveyed by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther 
King Jr. in his “I Have a Dream” speech 
given August 28, 1963, during the March 
on Washington. More importantly, we 
should analyze that vision, while thinking 
about the current state of our society. 
Giving emphasis to racial integration, 
war, poverty, and economic and employment 
inequalities, we must ask ourselves, 
“Are we living the dream and what are we 
doing to help bring it to fruition? 

In his book Where Do We Go From Here: 
Chaos or Community Dr. Martin Luther 
King Jr. states, “In any social revolution, 
there are times when the tailwinds of triumph 
and fulfillment favor us, and other 
times when strong headwinds of disappointment 
and setbacks beat against 
us relentlessly. We must not permit adverse 
wins to overwhelm us as we journey 
across life, mighty Atlantic; we must 
be sustained by our entrance of courage 
in spite of the winds. This refusal to be 

High Point Academy1720 Kinneloa Canyon RoadPasadena, Ca. 91107 
Head of School: Gary Stern 626-798-8989 
website: www.highpointacademy.org 

La Salle College Preparatory3880 E. Sierra Madre Blvd. Pasadena, Ca. 

(626) 351-8951 website: www.lasallehs.orgPrincipal Ernest Siy 
Monrovia High School325 East Huntington Drive, Monrovia, CA 91016

(626) 471-2800 Principal Darvin JacksonEmail: schools@monrovia.k12.ca.us 
Odyssey Charter School725 W. Altadena Dr. Altadena, Ca. 91001

(626) 229-0993 Head of School: Lauren O’Neillwebsite: www.odysseycharterschool.org 
Pasadena High School2925 E. Sierra Madre Blvd. Pasadena, Ca. 

(626) 396-5880 Principal: Dr. Eric Barba 
website: http://phs.pusd.us 
St. Rita Catholic School 
322 N. Baldwin Ave. Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024Principal: Jon McMaster (626) 355-6114mcmaster@st-ritaschool.orgWebsite: www.st-ritaschool.org 

Sierra Madre Elementary School141 W. Highland Ave, Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 
(626) 355-1428Principal: Dr. Jodi MarchessoE-mail address: marchesso.jodi@pusd.us 

Sierra Madre Middle School 
160 N. Canon Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024

(626) 836-2947 Principal: Garrett NewsomE-mail address: newsom.garrett@pusd.us 
Walden School 
74 S San Gabriel Blvd 
Pasadena, CA 91107 (626) 792-6166www.waldenschool.net 

Weizmann Day School1434 N. Altadena Dr. Pasadena, Ca. 91107(626) 797-0204Lisa Feldman: Head of School 

Wilson Middle School 
300 S. Madre St. Pasadena, Ca. 91107

(626) 449-7390 Principal: Ruth EsselnE-mail address: resseln@pusd.us 
Pasadena Unified School District 
351 S. Hudson Ave., Pasadena, Ca. 91109

(626) 396-3600 Website: www.pusd@pusd.us 
Arcadia Unified School District 
234 Campus Dr., Arcadia, Ca. 91007 

(626) 821-8300 Website: www.ausd.net 
Monrovia Unified School District 
325 E. Huntington Dr., Monrovia, Ca. 91016 
(626) 471-2000Website: www.monroviaschools.net 

Duarte Unified School District 
1620 Huntington Dr., Duarte, Ca. 91010 
(626)599-5000Website: www.duarte.k12.ca.us 

stopped, this 'courage to be,' thisdetermination to go on 'in spite of ' is the 
hallmark of any great movement.” 

“Resilience and Renewal: Social 
Justice, Equality, and CommunityEmpowerment” 

This theme recognizes Dr. King's commitment 
to nonviolent action in pursuit 
of justice and equality. It's a call to action 
to protect the values that elevate humanity, 
and to work together to 
ensure freedom, justice, and democracy 
are safeguarded. 

Your submission should reflect ways to 
recover quickly from difficulties, trials 
and tribulations and respond to the challenges 
facing the country today, e.g. wildfire, 
immigration, threats to democracy, 
in line with the writing of Martin Luther 
King. 

All in Grades 4th through 12th may Enter 
All submissions are due to the Pasadena 
MLK by: Friday, December 8, 2025 

The event will take place Monday,
January 19, 2026 at 

John Muir High School AuditoriumPasadena, California 91103 


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Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com