M.E.Di.A Magnet Earns Award of Distinction

By Rocky Ma'aele, Writer | January 24, 2025

M.E.Di.A Magnet Sophomores holding their certificates during an awards ceremony.

Photo courtesy of Cheryl Harris.

The Merit Award of Distinction was given to the M.E.Di.A Magnet academy of Carson High School this year. The Merit Award of Distinction is an award given to magnet schools that have met all of the basic requirements outlined in the merit awards scoring rubric. This award is definitely a ntoable accomplishment for CHS’s very own M.E.Di.A. program that will motivate the entire team to keep pushing forward.

The M.E.Di.A Magnet program includes courses dedicated to the exploration of music, entertainment, and digital arts. The unique electives, tremendous efforts towards a dedication to community service, collaboration by teachers to create Linked Learning projects, small class sizes, and strong academics makes the program stand out. For example, the magnet received accolades for distinguishing itself based on performance in English Language Arts where more than 70% of the 11th grade magnet students met or exceeded the standard on the 2024 SBAC, a system that utilizes computer-based tests and performance to show what students know. For reference, "...the overall Los Angeles Unified test results for 2024, 43.06% of students met or exceeded the state standard in English..."

“I am proud that our program is being recognized for all of the hard work and dedication that our team provides, both academically and personally,” said Jeanette Zuniga-Lee, Spanish and M.E.Di.A instructor.

Overall, the award of distinction that was given to the M.E.D.I.A. program sets a positive precedence.

“This award definitely sets the bar for the future of the M.E.Di.A. program,” said M.E.Di.A Magnet Coordinator and AP Calculus instructor Cheryl Harris.

The award earned by the program, who will welcome their first graduating class in 2025, was not without hard work and a focus on every single magnet scholar.

“No one is left behind [in this program],” said Harris.

The students and staff genuinely care for each other, making it more of a family environment instead of just a magnet program.

Magnet senior Allen Hill said, “I’ve been able to go on field trips, [received] a lot of support, and it’s [the program] is overall dope.”

The honor and personal touches of the M.E.Di.A Magnet promises to make the program a trailblazing force to remember.

“I would definitely recommend this program to new incoming Colts in the future,” said Hill.