Hawaiian Gardens presents certificates to Rascals champions, recognizes Mariana Rios’s Cerritos College trustee appointment

The Hawaiian Gardens City Council used Jan. 22 to present certificates recognizing community achievements: the Hawaiian Gardens Rascals were honored as 2024 Southern California Municipal Athletic Federation (SMAF) Division B flag-football champions, and the council issued a proclamation congratulating Mariana Rios on her Dec. 11, 2024 appointment and swearing-in as Cerritos College Board Trustee for Board Trustee Area 4.

Christian Rodriguez, who identified himself as a neighbor counselor for the City of Hawaiian Gardens and a program leader, described the Rascals as an athletic group largely of sixth graders who moved up to play in a higher-level tournament. "They were the champions of that tournament, and and they play like it," Rodriguez said. Coach Gordo, a volunteer coach, acknowledged the team's success and thanked the city for field access and support.

Council read a proclamation noting Mariana Rios’s more than 30 years in education and public service, her prior city council service in Hawaiian Gardens, and her work on local education initiatives. Rios said Hawaiian Gardens is "my home. It's my heart," and thanked the council; she also introduced a colleague who had served on council with her. Dr. Fierro, a leader from Cerritos College, said, "Hawaiian Gardens has always been a welcoming place for us at Cerritos College, and we look forward to continue to support, the city." The proclamation notes Rios’s work on school facilities and preventing school closures and references the trustee area that includes Hawaiian Gardens, Lakewood, Bellflower, portions of Long Beach and Cerritos.

The council presented certificates to team members and coaches and publicly recognized Rios and Cerritos College representatives during the meeting.