Award-winning political cartoonist Lalo Alcaraz came to El Monte this week to talk about saving the Earth.
But he stayed to share his thoughts on shaking up the system, engaging in community, creating art and fighting for social justice.
Alcaraz, a two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist, dropped by Mountain View High School on Tuesday, Sept. 19, to showcase his animated short, “Taking a Healthy Ride on the Green Side,” featuring his art and plenty of local talent. He appeared in the high school’s “The Art of Talking” podcast.
“Meeting the students at the start of the project was really cool,” Alcaraz said. “They gave it to us straight when talking about their environmental concerns, no holds-barred.”
Alcaraz, creator of “La Cucaracha,” the first nationally syndicated Latin comic strip, came on board as part of the California Air Resources Board’s Clean Mobility in Schools Pilot Project, aimed at cleaning up the district’s transportation infrastructure and boosting the benefits of clean transportation to the community.
Lena Luna, district facilities and energy manager, voices her cartoon counterpart in the short, which will be shown on the district website, its social media channels and offered for broadcast statewide.
The animation espouses different ways to green one’s commute to school, including walking, using public transportation, scootering, biking or carpooling.
Edward Zuñiga, superintendent of the El Monte Union High School District, also got the Lalo Alcaraz treatment in the short film. He said his turn as a cartoon was right up his alley, a fun way to make an impact on students.
“They will remember this moment, and I hope it gives them the opportunity to engage their future and show them when we work as a community, we will bring about change,” Zuñiga said.
Senior DeAdalene Olmeda, 17, of La Puente, interviewed Alcaraz about his artistic beginnings, immigrant story and hopes for the Chicano movement. She also had…
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