South Pasadena High students press board to place proposal to rename band room for longtime director

Students from South Pasadena High School urged the school board on Feb. 11 to place a proposal to rename the high‑school band room after a longtime band director on the March agenda.

Chamon Lim and Emilio Loyce, student leaders with the high‑school band, told the board they and roughly 80 other students spoke in support at a November meeting and remain strongly in favor of honoring the director. Lim said the director has shown “dedication” beyond his career, citing his attendance at events, support at competitions and letters of recommendation for seniors.

Lim and Loyce asked the board to evaluate the proposal under the district’s existing board policy 7310, noting that nearby districts including Pasadena, La Cañada, San Marino, Monrovia and Temple City have similar naming policies. Lim said the students’ preference is that the current renaming proposal be considered under the existing policy and, if possible, be placed as an action item on the March board meeting agenda so the board can act.

Board members and students discussed process questions about the district policy review. The students told the board they wanted fairness and parity with previous naming decisions for educators in the district. The board did not immediately place the renaming proposal on the March agenda during the Feb. 11 meeting.

Student presenters requested the board follow its existing policy for consideration and indicated they would bring supporters back if the item is scheduled for action.