School Defends Holding Event at Poker Club

The most outstanding seniors at Bell Gardens High School will receive their scholarships, medals and certificates of merit inside the lush, chandeliered banquet room of the largest poker parlor in Southern California.

School officials said Monday that the Bicycle Club made them a deal they couldn’t refuse: food for 300 students, beverages and an evening at the plushest place around--for free.

But the notion of taking top-flight students to a smoke-filled club where patrons are gambling and drinking alcohol came as an unpleasant shock to one school booster.

“I’m absolutely furious,” said Ted Kastenbaum, who sponsors two scholarships for students. On Monday, he was trying to rally support for a change of location. “It galls me that they are taking the best achievers and giving them a banquet honoring their excellence in the midst of this gambling den.”

School officials, however, said they hold numerous events at the casino’s banquet room each year--and, until now, no one has complained. Tonight, for example, the school’s best athletes in spring sports will be honored at a dinner paid for by the club.

“We are not supporting the Bicycle Club at all,” said Bill Mayoral, Bell Garden High’s activities director. “They are helping us out. We are not there to gamble.”

“You have to understand, our kids have been there numerous times,” said Maria Elena Alvarez, a spokeswoman for the Montebello Unified School District. “We have a very positive relationship with the Bicycle Club. . . . They have done wonderful things for our kids.”

Casino officials said offering schools free use of the banquet room is one of their ways to support the community.

“The Bicycle Club has been a good citizen since they have been there,” said spokeswoman Cindy Elliott. “They support a lot of social services.”

But Kastenbaum--who for 19 years has presented two $150 scholarships in memory of his mother to the Bell Garden High students--questioned the propriety of holding the event at the club. A civil complaint filed in April by the state Department of Justice charged that a federally appointed trustee assigned with overseeing the facility had allowed loan-sharking and other illegal activities.

Kastenbaum said he found out about the location of the planned event over the weekend, after receiving a letter from the school asking him to attend. Until now, the senior assembly has been held on school grounds or at a local restaurant.

When he called the district office to complain Monday, Kastenbaum said, he was told that school officials picked the location because it’s nearby and free.

“Morality is more important than convenience or money,” Kastenbaum said. “I would think that an idea of a school to teach children morality is more important.”

He said he sent a telegram to state Atty. Gen. Dan Lungren, demanding an investigation into the school’s decision.

Some students said they’ve been to school events at the casino before--and enjoyed themselves.

“The food is good, and the place is classy,” said senior Jaime Sanchez. “We’re there for school business, not to gamble.”

But senior Rachel Contreras said she would prefer that the senior assembly be held on campus.

“I don’t think it’s right to have it there,” she said. “The students walk around. Their eyes are going to be on the people playing poker.”