Mountain View High School students, staff, and the El Monte Union community celebrated the completion of the school’s Modernization Project with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sept. 9. The event highlighted major campus upgrades including classrooms, athletic facilities, redesigned landscaping and outdoor seating, and infrastructure improvements.
 
The ceremony featured speeches from Principal Jose Bañas, Associated Student Body President Heidi Scanlan, El Monte Union High School District Board of Trustees President Florencio Briones, and Superintendent Dr. Edward Zuniga, followed by a taco dinner for the community. 
 
“For the past three years, our students, staff, and visitors navigated a campus under construction,” Bañas said. “Now, that journey is complete. This project is more than new buildings and upgrades; it’s an investment in our entire Viking community. Like a diamond finally repolished, Mountain View shines bright once again, and we are filled with gratitude and pride.”
 
Mountain View’s ribbon-cutting also highlighted Viking pride through student performances; the cheer squad performed at the start of the ceremony as guests passed through a balloon arch and walked the purple carpet, while the chamber choir sang the national anthem.
 
“I’m proud to celebrate this modernization and the spaces that have already brought so much energy to our school,” Scanlan said. “Our new quad has become the heart of campus, a place to gather, hold rallies, play games, and enjoy being together as a Viking family. As a senior, it’s an honor to be among the first to experience it fully, and I can’t wait for the memories we’ll continue to make in this completed space.”
 
Funded through Measure D and Measure HS bonds, the Modernization Project is part of a Districtwide effort to provide every campus with enhanced learning environments. Other recently completed projects include Mountain View’s Cafetorium, where the event was held; the school’s new athletic stadium and Zoo Crew engineering classrooms; South El Monte High School’s campus modernization; and new athletic facilities for El Monte, Arroyo, and Rosemead high schools.
 
“As a former Viking, walking these hallways once felt like stepping into a time warp,” Briones said. “I’m proud to now share with colleagues and alumni that our campus is fully modernized and upgraded, exactly what our students deserve. This is a place where everyone can feel welcome and flourish, and on behalf of the Board, I thank our community and project partners for helping us provide state-of-the-art facilities across our schools.”
 
Mountain View High’s renovations include a quad area, girls’ locker and weight rooms, science labs, a keyless security lock system across campus, additional softball and baseball field fencing, administration building upgrades, and more.
 
“Today marks a reimagined and revitalized chapter for Mountain View as we celebrate the completion of a campus where students will thrive for generations to come,” Zuniga said. “To El Monte Union’s Board of Trustees and our community, thank you for believing in our vision. Your support has provided state-of-the-art facilities that will foster excellence in teaching and learning.” 

Mountain View High School Principal Jose Bañas delivers a heartfelt speech on the impact of the school’s modernization project during the Sept. 9 ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Mountain View High School’s cheer squad celebrates a series of campus upgrades during the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sept. 9.