Colton legend Dr. Tom Rivera honored at Multi-Purpose Room dedication ceremony
The newly named “Rivera” joins the ranks of other Colton High landmarks, “The Mac,” “The Hubbs,” and “The Whitmer”
And now we have “The Rivera.” The CHS multi-purpose room, which opened in Feb. 2022, was officially named after Dr. Tom Rivera in a dedication ceremony on Oct. 18.
Colton, CA—“My legacy leads on through you.” These were some of the final words passed on by Dr. Tom Rivera before he passed away earlier this year on March 8.
In an dedication ceremony on October 18, “Dr. Tom,” as he was known to residents of Colton and across the Inland Empire, was honored by the Colton Joint Unified School District as the namesake for Colton High’s brand new multi-purpose room.
“Dr. Rivera’s dream of empowering students to succeed has been fulfilled. Now it’s all up to us. It’s our turn.” said CJUSD Board of Education President Bertha Flores.
The dedication ceremony featured tributes by California Assembly Majority Leader Eloise Gomez Reyes, San Bernardino County Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr., San Bernardino Community College District Trustee Frank Reyes, CJUSD Board President Bertha Flores, and Inland Empire Future Leaders representative Judith Segura-Mora.
Guests in attendance included the family of Dr. Rivera, his wife Lily, CJUSD Superintendent Frank Miranda, members of the CJUSD School Board, the CJUSD executive cabinet, and several Colton residents who were greatly impacted by Dr. Rivera and the Future Leaders Program he founded in 1984.
CHS Principal John Abbott emceed the event, which included the unveiling of the new sign on the north entrance to the MPR, and a reception that featured performances by Colton High’s marching band, cheerleaders, Dance Club, and local Tejano group Los Del R. As guests were welcomed into the newly named “Rivera” they enjoyed conchas, cookies, water, and fruit donated by Hispanic Groceries, Inc. and Judith Segura-Mora.
“Tom meant a lot for this community,” said San Bernardino Community College District Trustee Frank Reyes, who was the first individual to introduce the idea of naming the MPR in Dr. Rivera’s honor. “He’s inspired young students and people.”
At the end of her speech, Majority Leader Gomez Reyes presented Colton High with a proclamation from the California State Assembly that will be displayed in the MPR so future generations of CHS students will know the contributions Dr. Rivera made to the community.
“I wanted to show my support to the Rivera family,” Gomez Reyes said. “I want them to feel the love of the community and I wanted to make sure I brought a message from the state because we are indebted to Dr.Tom and his whole family.”
Dr. Rivera is a Colton legend. He was raised in south Colton, and graduated as part of Colton Union High’s class of 1958. He attended San Bernardino Valley College and received his Bachelor’s degree at Cal State Los Angeles and his Masters at UCLA. He served in education for 47 years, founded the Inland Empire Future Leaders Program as well as a free medical clinic for low-income families in San Bernardino. His list of achievements is long and impressive. Rivera also served as a member of the CJUSD school board from 1977-1979.
Dr. Rivera struggled for a large part of his life with Guillain Barre syndrome, but it never kept him from achieving his goals to positively impact his community. He passed away after a battle with cancer in March 2022.
Recently, the CHS Publications Department experienced a major theft as over $20,000 in photography equipment was stolen from our studio over Spring Break. This included all cameras. Any amount you donate will help rebuild our program. Thank you!
Daphne Marquez is currently a junior at Colton High School. This is her third year on the Pepper Bough staff, and her first as Editor-in-Chief.