Roybal-Allard visits Ramona Opportunity High School

Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard, D-Los Angeles, is surrounded by students at Ramona Opportunity High School in East Los Angeles who wrote letters to the congresswoman in response to an Amnesty International report about maternal mortality rates among low-income and minority women. Ramona Principal Brenda Morton is at lower right. English teacher Cynthia High is in the back row, second from left.

By WAVE STAFF

Story Created: Aug 26, 2010 at 11:17 AM PST

Story Updated: Aug 26, 2010 at 11:17 AM PST

Tools

EAST LOS ANGELES — Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard, D-Los Angeles, recently spoke to students at Ramona Opportunity High School here about the importance of continuing their education as a pathway to a better future.

In response to letters sent by Ramona students about soaring maternal mortality rates among low-income women and women of color, the congresswoman also discussed the Moms for the 21st Century Act, legislation she authored to improve birth outcomes for mothers and their babies while reducing medical costs.

Ramona is a new school, completed in June, which serves pregnant teens and other female students in need of an alternative learning environment in grades seven through 12, a Roybal-Allard aide said.

The school was rebuilt after a portion of the original school was needed by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to complete the construction of the Gold Line Eastside Extension

The LAUSD transferred ownership of the portion of the needed property to the MTA in exchange for the MTA providing necessary relocation and reconfiguration of the replacement school.

The 405-seat school located on 2.62 acres includes classrooms, vocational labs, a lunch shelter, a multipurpose room, a child care center, a gymnasium, athletic fields, administrative offices and parking.

A longtime advocate of the school, the congresswoman’s visit also included a tour of the city of Los Angeles’ Youth Opportunity Leadership program located on campus.

As part of the program, students receive training, guidance and instruction on work readiness, life skills and financial literacy, the aide said.

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 1000 Characters Left

Los Angeles Wave and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum.

On Demand

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.