Whittier Union Administrators Celebrate ACSA Region 15 Spring Awards Recognition

Two longtime Whittier Union administrators have been recognized by the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) as Region 15 Spring Award winners, highlighting their unwavering commitment to student success, innovative leadership, and empowerment of education communities.

Pioneer High School Principal Mary Chapman was recognized as ACSA Region 15 Secondary Principal of the Year, while Whittier Union Adult School (WUAS) Assistant Principal Juan Anzaldo received the ACSA Region 15 Adult Education Administrator of the Year award. Region 15 covers all of Los Angeles County except for L.A. city schools.

“Congratulations to Mary and Juan, who are so very deserving of these honors,” Superintendent Dr. Monica Oviedo said. “These awards mean so much to the District as they are given by our peers. Mary and Juan are leaders in the truest sense and have inspired so much achievement within Whittier Union.”

Chapman is now in her fourth year as Pioneer High principal after serving as assistant principal since 2016. During her time at Pioneer, Chapman has driven tremendous academic growth, with the school’s A-G completion rate currently at its highest-ever level.

Under Chapman’s guidance, Pioneer students have achieved a nearly 25-point increase in their English Language Arts (ELA) scores, rising to 38 points above standard, while math scores have improved by 32 points.

Chapman has also been a strong supporter of Pioneer’s award-winning Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program, which earned the school recognition as an AVID National Demonstration School in 2024. Committed to equity and inclusion, Chapman has helped to create inclusive spaces on campus such as the Tranquility Lounge and the Equity Hub.

“Whittier is a special place. I am proud to call it home, and my twins attend school in the Whittier City community. That connection means everything to me and helps me show up for our students and families in a meaningful way,” Chapman said. “We are so fortunate to have an incredible staff at Pioneer and truly the best students. Together, we have worked hard to build a school where students, parents, and staff all have a voice.”

One of Chapman’s favorite memories is watching the Pioneer athletic program celebrate long-awaited CIF championships, including the football team’s Div. 7-A Regional championship in 2024 and the baseball team’s Div. 5 State championship in 2025.

“I had the honor of witnessing Mary’s remarkable progression from assistant principal to principal at Pioneer High,” Asst. Supt. of Ed Services Lilia Bozigian said. “Mary is an amazing communicator who is deeply committed to equity in education and has the ability to get the best out of her students and staff.”

Anzaldo has been an administrator with Whittier Union for nearly 20 years, serving as assistant principal of guidance for three years at Santa Fe High School, and eight years as assistant principal of business and activities at Whittier High School, before making the transition to WUAS in June of 2019.

Anzaldo’s enthusiasm and “can-do” spirit has helped launch many successful WUAS initiatives, including helping students and staff pivot to distance learning at the beginning of the pandemic, to helping the school emerge from the pandemic by developing cutting-edge teaching strategies and embracing flexible in-person/online learning schedules.

Anzaldo has also been instrumental in developing award-winning career technical education pathways that can lead to lucrative careers. In 2022, the South Bay Workforce Investment Board presented WUAS’ Electrician 1 program with its Outstanding Achievement Award for the school’s success in guiding students to employment in the industry. In 2025, WUAS’ Plumbing 1 class was also recognized by the Workforce with its Outstanding Performance Award.

“At the adult school, we work with members of the entire Whittier community, providing short-term classes and training that lead to employment with wages that can pay for a home mortgage, helping to develop a better way of life for them and their loved ones,” Anzaldo said. “Recently, we earned a significant grant to establish a medical pathway, with medical assistant and phlebotomy entry courses.”

When he was at Santa Fe, the school's culture reaffirmed his belief that every student has the potential to make a meaningful contribution to it. At Whittier, he and the school's team of coaches, teachers, activities leaders and classified staff helped double participation in athletics, leadership, and extracurricular activities. According to Anzaldo, tapping into the positive energy of every student and staff member is the key to creating a vibrant and thriving campus culture.

“Juan has an extraordinary gift for building relationships with students, teachers, union partners and colleagues across the region,” WUAS Principal Margie Moriarty said. “Those relationships make great things possible, and Whittier Union Adult School is a stronger institution because of his leadership.”

PHOTO CAPTIONS 

WUHSD_ACSA1: Pioneer High Principal Mary Chapman was recognized as ACSA Region 15 Secondary Principal of the Year.

WUHSD_ACSA2: Whittier Union Adult School (WUAS) Assistant Principal Juan Anzaldo received the ACSA Region 15 Adult Education Administrator of the Year award.