Jorge Hernandez is a Candidate for the South Whittier School Board of Education. The election will be held on November 3rd, 2009.
Jorge is a proud product of the South Whittier School District. He was a bilingual student at Los Altos and Monte Vista Elementary before going on to South Whittier Intermediate School (now Richard Graves Middle School). He graduated from California High School and completed his undergraduate education at the University of California, Los Angeles with a degree in Economics.
Jorge's parents came to the United States in 1978. Never discouraged by any language barrier or by legal status, his parents became involved in their children's education. Not only did they fight for a quality education for their own children but also became advocates for the education of migrant children and empowering migrant parents through their ongoing involvement with Region 15 (now Region 10) of the Migrant Education Program. Their dedication and sacrifice instilled in Jorge and his other six siblings the need for a quality education and desire to give back to the community. That is why when Jorge graduated from college he came back to South Whittier. He operates his business in South Whittier and volunteers his time to help others in South Whittier and surrounding communities.
When Jorge left Whittier for UCLA, he thought he was leaving the family weekend commitment of selling tortas at soccer games behind him. But he was wrong. During his four years at UCLA, he spent many weekends back in Whittier helping his parents sell tortas to the crowds during the many soccer games. He was committed to staying involved and informed with his community and his family. His time working with his family and with the community of South Whittier helped him determine his major. He realized every time he came home how hard both his parents and his siblings had worked their whole lives. He wanted to make sure that he armed himself with the proper education to help him be successful so that he may be able to help his family and his community. He still volunteers his time with the family at soccer games but also at Interfaith Food Center; a local food pantry which provides supplemental food income to 900-1000 families on a weekly basis and also operates a daily lunch program for indigent populations of the community.
Jorge Hernandez is proud of his family, his education and his experience. He believes that every student in the South Whittier School District should have the same opportunities he and his family had and more. He is running to ensure that South Whittier School District becomes a model district ensuring success for every student.