ORANGE : Schools Chief Lauded for Latino Support

Leaders of the city’s Latino community honored Supt. Norman C. Guith last week for his commitment to the Latino students in the Orange Unified School District.

Councilman Fred Barrera presented Guith with a proclamation from the city commending him for encouraging Latino youths to “preserve their culture and heritage.” The school district of 25,900 students is about 26% Latino.

Representatives from the city’s Latino business, political and activist communities all recognized Guith for working with parents of Latino students, organizing programs to fight gangs and recruiting a Latina to head the district’s bilingual education program, among other achievements.

Rudy Diaz, board president of the city’s Youth Alternative Program, a project designed to divert Latino youth in the city’s barrios from gangs and dropping out, told Guith at the ceremony, “From the people of the Cypress and El Modena communities, muchas gracias .”