UPDATE July 25, 2:41pm | This Tuesday, July 26, Councilman Dee Andrews will host a special Poly Walk of Fame event for alumna Jenni Rivera, who was not able to attend the July 9 event.
The event, during which Rivera will receive her star, will run from 11 a.m. to noon in the Poly High School football stadium, according to information provided by the Sixth District Office. The school is located at 1600 Atlantic Ave.
“Jenni has such an incredible career right now. She is taking the entertainment and business worlds by storm and shows no signs of slowing down,” Andrews said in a statement. “She is an inspiration to us all, and her star on the Walk of Fame will remind us to keep reaching for our dreams.”
Rivera said the following in a statement:
Since I began recording music in 1993, I’ve received numerous awards and valuable recognitions. Every single one is very significant. However, to receive an acknowledgment from where “it all began” … is the ultimate honor. Everywhere my music career has taken me I have always proudly mentioned that I am from Long Beach and that I attended the home of Scholars and Champions … Poly High School. Thank you!”
Friday, July 8, 12:01pm | From Snoop Dogg to Cameron Diaz, and a host of professional football players and other sports stars in between, Poly High School is well known for its many famous former students, and this weekend a select few will be honored during the inaugural Poly Walk of Fame Ceremony.
According to information provided by City Hall spokesman Ed Kamlan, Sixth District Councilman Dee Andrews, along with the Long Beach Redevelopment Agency and the school, will be honoring a few of these famous Poly alumni during the ceremony scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday, July 9.
The public is invited to attend the free event, which will run from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the school located at 1600 Atlantic Ave. Free parking will be available in the school parking lot.
Among those to be honored are international tennis champion Billie Jean King, Grammy Award winner Thelma Houston, former NFL player Willie Brown and former Long Beach Mayor Beverly O’Neill.
“These honorees have excelled throughout their careers in athletics, politics and the arts, and they share a commitment to giving back to the community,” Mayor Bob Foster said in a statement.
Andrews said that it is important for the city’s youth to know that “others have worked hard and created pathways that didn’t exist when these individuals were starting out … in spite of their circumstances.”
“Hopefully seeing these stars will motivate our youth to seriously go after their dreams,” Andrews said in a statement, adding that he hopes the event helps to restore pride in the neighborhood.
Those being honored will each receive a star, which will hang on Poly’s back fence along Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, a heavily used street in the Sixth District. The stars are made of stainless steel and feature each honoree’s name, photograph and key accomplishments. They were created by Long Beach artist C.J. Latimore.
Not all of those set to be honored Saturday will be able to attend tomorrow’s event. The fifth honoree, Jenni Rivera, a multi-platinum singer/songwriter, entrepreneur and activist, is currently on tour and will receive her star during a separate ceremony on Tuesday, July 26, Kamlan said.
Because there are so many Poly Alumni “superstars,” additional walk of fame ceremonies are planned.
For additional information, contact Kimberly Dodson at 562-570-6816.