Millikan’s campus is set to face some big changes, including the beginning of upgrades to our buildings on campus this year. These specific changes aim to upgrade our campus’s buildings as well as make them more accessible, all set to be completed in the span of two years.
Millikan will be getting new heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) as well as upgrades to buildings in order to align with the Americans’ with Disabilities Act (ADA). There will also be utility upgrades, accessibility upgrades, and upgrades to building exteriors.
According to the Community Information Meeting presentation on construction, given on Sept. 30 at 6 p.m. in the Millikan auditorium for any interested community members, HVAC and ADA modernization will specifically be added to the 200, 300, 400, and 900 buildings. This includes new elevators in the 200, 400, 300, and 900 buildings. Between the 300 and 900 buildings, only one elevator will be added since the two buildings’ second floor is connected by a bridge.
“I actually think that elevators would be really beneficial. I’m really passionate about our Special Education Department and I think that it would make it easier,” states Izabella Viloalovos, a COMPASS senior. “I just think that why couldn’t we do it during summer?”
MBA senior Izabella Gallo adds on, “Same with the air conditioning. Whenever there were heat waves going on and I had to suffer in the 300 and 400, it was so bad… But I’m glad that they’re fixing the problem now.”
When asked about her opinion on graduating before construction is finished, Gallo jokingly adds, “We had to suffer so that [new students] could prosper.”
Some construction did already occur over summer, however it upgraded Millikan’s utilities rather than the HVAC. All of the spray paint noticeable on the ground last year was there for the pits and trenches that would be dug up around campus in order to install over 17,000 feet of 4 inch electrical conduit and new manholes and pull-boxes between classroom buildings. This back-bone will power the new air conditioning.
Millikan’s building-specific renovations will take place in four separate phases in which teacher’s classrooms, located in buildings under construction, will be moved to other classrooms, where construction isn’t currently taking place.
Phase one upgrades the 100, 200, and cafeteria buildings, with classrooms moving out at Winter Break. Construction should be done by August (2025). Phase two upgrades the 300 and 900 buildings, and has classes moving out mid-August and construction finishing around Spring Break (2026). Phase three upgrades the 400 building and the auditorium, with classes moving out Spring Break (2026) and construction finishing around Winter Break (2026). The final phase upgrades the bungalows’ room numbers and fire alarms, scheduled to take place over Summer of 2026.
During phase one, “The teachers that are in the 200 are being absorbed into our current spaces that we have,” states Mrs. Hodge, one of Millikan’s Vice Principals. And “what is currently the 100 building is all going to be moved into the downstairs 300.”
These are some big changes that both students and staff will have to face, so keep an eye out for any school announcements and emails that will include updates.
Diego Rodriguez • Nov 12, 2024 at 5:00 pm
On October 22, 2024, Allyson Ritcher wrote an article titled “Millikan Under Construction” The author did a great job informing the readers about the changes that are coming to the school due to the construction. She also explained the reasons why the school is doing this, which is to install heating, ventilation, and air conditioning and to align with the ADA requirements. This helps inform someone like me who has been clueless about these constructions for this entire time in which this article answered all my questions. I also liked how the author included all dates these constructions will be starting as it helps students and staff be informed so they know what to expect in the coming years. One thing I would suggest is to add a teachers perspective into this article, preferably a teacher who has a class in one of the buildings going under construction. This would allow teachers to voice their opinions, concerns, and how the moving process affected them. To summarize, this article was very informative as it included a bunch of information about future constructions and I would recommend that students should read this article if they are confused or have any questions about this topic.
Sophia Murillo • Nov 6, 2024 at 9:31 pm
On October 22, 2024, Allyson Richter wrote an article titled “Millikan Under Construction”. The article is successful in explaining the renovations the Millikan campus will undergo in the near future. I found it helpful due to Richter’s detailing of the timeline and goals of the project. I feel it is important for students to be informed about what goes on in and around campus in order to feel more connected with the school environment. By explaining the reasons behind the construction, the ultimate goals of the project, and the estimated timeline, students will not be caught by surprise when they are told their class is being relocated or a section of the school is blocked off. This ensures that students will know what to expect for renovations and can predict how the construction will impact our campus life. Even though the past years at Millikan have come with struggles such as sweating in class during a heatwave or even having to move locations if a classmate is injured, it is refreshing to hear that the issues are being addressed. Overall, this article is well-written and clearly outlines key information about the upcoming construction.
Zachary Copeland • Nov 6, 2024 at 12:41 pm
On October 22, 2024, Allyson Richter wrote an article titled “Millikan Under Construction.” It was great to read this article to learn about the construction that will be going on at Millikan. I’ve heard about it a few times, but I didn’t know what was really happening. I liked how the article included the same questions I had as I was reading, and helped to answer them. Just like the students that were interviewed, I wondered why we didn’t do the construction during the summer when most people weren’t in school and when it would be ready for the heatwave at the beginning of the year. I also liked how the article explained each phase of the construction and their time frames. Since I’m a junior, I’m able to figure out what construction will be finished before I graduate which includes the 100, 200, cafeteria, 300, and 900 buildings, the last of which will be done by Spring break of my senior year. This article was excellent and left me with no questions.
Alexis Copeland • Nov 5, 2024 at 8:06 pm
Allyson Richter wrote an article titled “Millikan Under Construction”. I think this article showed the importance of Millikan Under Construction. Starting with the issue of how it didn’t correlate with the ADA( Americans’ with Disabilities Act). Which l think was a good point to bring up, as I think it’s necessary to accommodate all the students. The way Allyson Richter added the phases that would be done to complete the construction guides the reader along. It also walks readers through the steps that will be taken for the construction. Which allows people to know what’s going on.
The only concern I would have for this article is, if these construction changes would negatively affect the school or students. Since change can affect people, in both negative and positive ways. Although, l think the points of the positive side of the construction were more important. I think, the addition of students commentaries were necessary, as it let people know why this change needs to happen
Overall, I think Allyson Richter emphasized the significance of Millikan Under Construction successfully. Especially, when going into the beneficial effects, this construction would have on the students, as well as the school. Which I enjoyed reading about.
Aliza Armenta • Nov 5, 2024 at 2:24 pm
On October 22, 2024, Allyson Ritcher wrote an article titled “Millikan Under Construction”. I thought this article to be a very important topic to have been reported on since it relates to the quality of life of students on campus. Many people may have questions and concerns about the construction that this article can inform and answer those questions. She gives a detailed description of changes on campus, specifically what’s being added to each building, which is important because many students were already aware of the kind of temperature problems Millikan classrooms have. She also mentions actual Millikan students’ opinions on the changes which makes the article more interesting to read.
Additionally, Ritcher bolds the beginning of her sentences when she talks about a new phase of the construction taking place on Millikan when it changes. I think this is an excellent way to make the writing more clear and easier to follow. Overall this article is a very informative and interesting addition to the Millikan Corydon and looking forward to reading more from Ritcher.
Sincerely,
Aliza Armenta
Liam Neubauer • Nov 5, 2024 at 9:07 am
Dear Corydon Editor,
On October 22, 2023, Allyson Richter wrote an article titled “Millikan Under Construction”. So now that I’m in AP Lang and I have to use this format, maybe you will actually approve my comments. I am concerned that the school is focusing on repairing/building in the wrong areas. I wish for the bathrooms to get an overhaul and installed ventilation in order to not have to risk suffocating to death when a category 5 vape cloud fills the bathroom and I’m just trying to pee. I will admit though, I do like that Allyson decided to write about this subject because pretty much 90% of the articles on here have nothing to do with Millikan. That being said, I wish it was longer and talked about maybe what we can expect to happen during construction, like what sites might be more blocked off or any other problems that there could be. I would like to know how this would impact me right now. I did like how much information was provided on the construction and it was pretty digestible. I am actually pretty surprised that this is happening at all really, because I know how much the school loves their money. This definitely should have happened sooner though, because AC has been around for a while and we are now just getting it in 2025.
Sincerely,
Liam Neubauer
Jalen Stewart • Nov 5, 2024 at 8:52 am
On October 22, 2024, Allyson Richter wrote an article titled “Millikan Under Construction”. In this article Allyson mentions all of the new updates coming to Millikan in the next couple of years. She explains what upgrades Millikan is receiving such as HVAC and new elevators in buildings that do not have one. She also states the timeline of when these renovations are supposed to be completed. She also gets kids opinions on the renovations which they both agree that it is long overdue, but that we should have gotten this earlier.
The one concern I have with the renovations is with all the moving of classrooms. Teachers will have to move classrooms over certain breaks not giving them the time fully off like students get. I feel this is unfair because breaks are typically around holidays and are meant for spending time with family and getting rest from your typical routine. Also, teachers are not getting enough paid time to move their classrooms. They get 4 hours to pack up their classroom and 4 hours to unpack into their new classroom. In total they get 8 hours to move which for many teachers is not nearly enough time. This means that for the rest of the time they go unpaid which is not right. Hopefully there is a way to allow teachers more paid time to move.
Sincerely,
Jalen Stewart
Sebastian Sachs • Oct 30, 2024 at 1:58 pm
Dear Corydon Editor,
On October 22, 2024, Allyson Richter wrote an article titled “Millikan Under Construction”. I have to remark that she did a really outstanding job organizing the interviews in specific as well as the paragraph regarding the outline for the phases for construction. I believe that it made the article that much more organized and efficient to digest the new information from, leaving the reader with almost no questions left as to what the construction process will be like other than what to expect the students to believe regarding these sudden changes to the campus. I was shocked to find out upon reading that many of the buildings’ supplies and surroundings will have to be manually shifted to another building, where thereafter the class will continue in the new location, as I did not expect for any of the classes to be moved around so drastically so late in the year—especially after many students have gotten accustomed to their schedules’ room numbers. Despite the drastic changes that may concern the students, I look forward to the new changes in the buildings, as I, along with many students who attend or have attended Millikan, know that many infrastructural changes are due and that there is an abundance of modern upgrades that will take place that could greatly improve the campus. I also admired how the graduating students this year got to share their thoughts on the construction upgrades, though they appear to express that they have “suffered” (line 19). Overall, I believe Richter did a great job at addressing student concerns and explaining the plans for infrastructural changes within the campus for the coming years.
Sincerely,
Sebastian Sachs
Davis • Oct 30, 2024 at 1:55 pm
I enjoyed reading this article since it very clearly let me know what will be happening on the campus and all the improvements to come. I most definitely will be looking forward to having air conditioning and elevators in each one of my buildings. Also I greatly appreciated how it let me know what building my classes will take place in once their old buildings construction begins
Since I live in a close proximity to the school, I’ve always had to deal with construction at Millikan and the effects from it. Your article mentioned how other students and faculty want the construction to take place over the summer, but for me that would pose more of an inconvenience then if it happened during the school year. I remember several years ago, when the campus was having their newest building built, there was a period of time where I couldn’t drive down my street! Since the road was blocked for construction. Reading this article was a very nice change of flow for me, as in the past the construction would appear out of nowhere with no warning being a nuisance. This article informed me of the construction much before it’ll happen, something I appreciated.
Pedro Hernandez • Oct 30, 2024 at 1:50 pm
This article does an excellent job of informing readers about the current and future changes awaiting the Millikan campus. Richter also did a fantastic job explaining how these renovations will improve the school. She used her interviews effectively, by getting the perspectives of students. I liked how Richter got one of Millikan’s Vice Principals, Mrs. Hodge to comment, showing the legitimacy of this article. She also addressed why construction did not begin this summer, which she wrote that they have but the changes were all underground. The plans and how each phase was going to bring are very clear and informative. I discovered new information from this article and I got a clear understanding of how and when the improvements will be implemented. I think this article is very useful to students who do not know that Millikan is currently undergoing construction. It lets students know that a major change is coming instead of it being a surprise, letting students get prepared for the change.
John Stout • Oct 30, 2024 at 1:24 pm
In this article, Allyson Richter describes in thorough detail what changes are coming to millikan, and the article is written perfectly to spell out what is happening and when it’s taking place. Although I have no idea why they don’t do these changes during the summer when nobody is around, as it makes it more of a hassle during the actual school year
I feel like a big worry throughout all of this is that if something goes wrong, as due to the scale of this project and how it is lined up, there is very little room for error. I really like how this article was written though, as all the information is clear and concise, along with real student interviews to get extra insight and reactions on this new advancement in Millikan’s quality in technology.
Overall, I loved this article as it got to the point and hit all the right points along with a timeline of the changes that already happened and the ones that are scheduled to happen, and the best course of action is to be patient and survey students on their thoughts on the changes.
Alexander Coleman • Oct 30, 2024 at 11:43 am
This article was very informative and answered many questions I had about the construction that was slated to occur on campus. However, as stated in the article, it is weird that the construction for the 100 and 200 buildings were scheduled to take place during the school year and not the summer. It seems like a decent chunk of the inevitable hassle of having the teachers and students relocating classrooms could have been avoided, or at least less of a problem. Still though, I am glad they are finally making these changes.
I vaguely remember multiple teachers talking about the installation of air conditioning in their classrooms when I first attended the school back in 2021. It seems like the chatter about air conditioning starts over every year. I am glad these changes are finally happening. The article itself was really well structured. The writing and information was very clear and easy to understand, and my understanding of the construction scheduled to occur has vastly improved.
William Briceno • Oct 30, 2024 at 9:46 am
Dear Corydon Editor,
This article effectively educates the reader on the changes that are coming to Millikan within the next two years. The description of the upgrades are thorough as Richer describes the goals of the Americans’ with Disabilites Act. She also does a good job on taking information from verified sources such as the Community Information Meeting. Using both of these sources makes her claims trustworthy and informative.
Richer uses quotes from students and staff giving more insight to the information at hand about the construction. The author also addresses questions the reader may have about things they’ve seen on campus. Changes such as the spray paint and manholes are gone over by saying how they were used for Millikan utility upgrades. Richer then gives a schedule of when each upgrade will occur giving the reader a solid timeline and understanding of the order of events.
Carlos Burciaga • Oct 29, 2024 at 3:32 pm
This article is very concise with explaining the whole deal with Millikan construction. Richter explicitly exemplifies all the positive outcomes as well as the negatives of the undergoing construction. For instance, Richer gives statements from various students explaining why these new modifications are of any use and how they contribute to a variety of people. In addition, Richter takes into account some questions that might be asked by the students, and explains it in great detail. For example, some students questioned why construction was not present during the summer, and Richter answered this counter argument by explaining the types of construction that was occurring, and how these changes are just as important as the primary changes.
On the contrary, there is one suggestion. For example, in the third paragraph Richter repeats the set of buildings that will undergo changes, twice, making it sound a little repetitive. However, I believe that adding the building that will undergo the changes should be presented first in the paragraph and then go into depth about the specific building where the changes will take place.
In addition, Richter summarizes the dates the construction will take place in the future, in a straightforward manner, allowing people who are reading this letter to have an idea of the schedule of construction that will happen in the near future.
Patrick Chhay • Oct 29, 2024 at 3:25 pm
October 29, 2024
Dear Corydon Editor,
On October 22, 2024, Allyson Ritcher wrote an article titled “Millikan Under Construction”. The article does an amazing job at informing the reader that there is work being done to improve the school and ensure the reader that the school is not just sitting around doing nothing. It also does a fantastic job of getting straight to the point and Ritcher doesn’t drag it out as some articles do. Because of this the article is concise and easy to follow along with. Ritcher also did a great job of outlining the phases in which construction will take place because they bolded the key phrases. The inclusion of opinions from Millikan seniors added a nice dose of humor, which made the article more enjoyable to read. That inclusion also may have made the article feel more relatable to other readers because they possibly have similar feelings and opinions as the seniors in the article.
Certain suggestions that I have are to get more opinions from adults on campus and even more students. Getting more opinions from adults such as teachers would broaden the perspective on the subject. This is because teachers and students likely have differing opinions. Differing opinions would make the article more interesting because it sparks controversy within a subject.
Ritcher also made sure to use information from credible sources such as the Community Information Meeting. They also thoroughly describe how construction is being done on Millikan, which gives the reader an image in their mind on how all of this construction is taking place. The image that Ritcher uses that shows a demolition bin found on Millikan’s Campus provides evidence that there is work being done to improve the school.
Sincerely,
Patrick Chhay
Sarah • Oct 29, 2024 at 3:05 pm
Ritcher describes the changes Millikan is insinuating this year such as air conditioning in older buildings, more elevators, and heating and ventilation. She expands on this topic and provides an answer for those who wondered why there were markings on the ground last year. Richter also takes into consideration the student body, as she provides insight from two students she interviews. To enhance her article, she could have included interviews with staff so that we had multiple points of views from different populations.
Richter mentions that all these new changes will be beneficial for students and staff, but first we have to face a few challenges in order to have these luxuries. Classes have to move to other rooms in other buildings, which can cause people to have to get used to this new change in their schedule. Members of the Millikan community also have to be patient as the construction is predicted to be completed by August of next year.
These changes are important as they accommodate to those who have disabilities or face challenges they have no control over. The elevators make it so that students who lack the ability to use their legs can make it to their class upstairs on time, the air conditioning helps students feel more comfortable in class when there is a heat wave, and ventilation allows for fresh air to be circulated throughout a class, making it easier and healthier for students to breathe. Many seniors and graduates make jokes regarding missing out on these changes, but I wonder if these changes were made earlier if that would have improved academic life for these students.
Olivia Zamora • Oct 29, 2024 at 1:56 pm
Richter’s article excellently highlighted a change within Millikan that will benefit the future of Millikan students. By addressing the changes to the campus, an article link providing background information for ADA guidelines, and elaborating on abbreviations, Richter sufficiently provides context for the audience. Furthermore, gaining student’s opinions from the issue, especially ones in different pathways since they usually have classes in a variety of buildings, help gain insight from the student population of Millikan. Moreover, the context of the construction done over the summer, and the expected dates for the construction to be finished help the audience become more aware of the changes done to the Millikan campus.
Even though Richter provided an article link to the information presented at the Community Information Meeting, an important detail to add would’ve been that the utility upgrades align with LBUSD Green Energy policy and state guidelines. Stating that the new upgrades fit the guidelines of the LBUSD Green Energy policy help the audience know that they are doing their part for the environment, regarding the climate crisis. However, a better approach for who to interview would be to gain students and teachers insights from different grades, especially those who might be against the idea of moving the classrooms. As a result, this would provide a better understanding of the overall opinion for the Millikan population, by having a more representative sample. By having a rebuttal or counterview to the change, it would bring attention to other teachers or students’ point of view to potentially address concerns that should be addressed.
All in all, Richter did a splendid job communicating effective information about changes in the Millikan campus, and how it’ll influence the future generations of rams.
Fischer Steinbrenner • Oct 29, 2024 at 1:49 pm
The article explains the construction activity that is going on at Millikan in the next few years. The author also specifically includes what construction is happening and what buildings are going to be affected by it. Another point of praise I would add is interviewing a student that is graduating this year. It shows the point of view of someone who will not be able to experience the new improvements and how they feel it helps the freshmen and sophomores who will be able to see the new buildings. However, one improvement I would suggest to add is interview someone else who feels differently about the construction. This would help add a counterargument and show the vision of a student that won’t be at school long enough to see the finished product, or a teacher that is unhappy with having to move to another classroom. Overall, the author did a great job of outlining the Millikan construction and how it’s affecting students and teachers.
Angelica Casillas • Oct 29, 2024 at 1:42 pm
This article is very informative of all the further information in regards to the upcoming construction that will be going on Millikan High School. As a student here who has also been a victim of no air conditioning in certain buildings like the 400, it is very nice to know that they will finally be added. I find it interesting to note how the construction will be done in parts. The information on expected dates for each phase of construction to be completed is well-organized and explained in the article. The aspect of elevators added to the buildings that currently do not have accessibility is also great to hear. People gain injuries and are no longer able to make their way to upstairs classes. Or special education students that need wheelchair accessibility are not able to take elective classes that may be upstairs in these buildings. The author of this article includes several photos which add visual appeal to the article. Overall, this is a well versed article in the aspects of being informative and engaging for readers wondering about the future renovations for Millikan High School.
Riley Henderson • Oct 29, 2024 at 1:40 pm
This article written by Rticher accurately describes the current situation at Millikan High School, and the future plans later this year for construction on the several buildings across campus. In the span of the next two years, Millikans campus is going to see some major changes, such as new heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), in the 200, 300, 400, and 900 buildings. Additionally, upgrades to buildings will be made to accommodate with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), such as the implementation of elevators in the 200, 300, 400, and 900 buildings. Ritcher also mentions that this process will take place in four phases, and the teachers located in the buildings that are in the process of construction during each phase will be moved to a different building that is not being worked on. Ritcher does a good job at explaining the entire process of this project by describing the different phases in detail and which buildings are getting worked on at what time. She also provides a detailed and accurate timeline of the project so students know what to expect throughout the next two years.
Ever Lundahl • Oct 29, 2024 at 1:36 pm
On October 22, 2024, Allyson Richter wrote an article titled “Millikan Under Construction.” The article explains the improvements that will be made to Millikan within the next two years. These improvements include: the addition of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and elevators around campus. Allyson interviews two seniors about their opinion on the new advancements to Millikan. This helps explain some of the opinions on campus which further enhances the article’s line of reasoning. Allyson also gives the expected times of each addition to the buildings. This informs the readers when their classes will be under construction.
Although the new improvements are beneficial to the campus, teachers having to move classes can cause stress. The article states that teachers will have to move classrooms in order to take the construction into consideration. For the teachers, this can be a large ordeal because it will be hard for them to settle in. This could hinder the work environment for students as well because teachers will now be in a different class that might not have the same posters, books, and equipment that their other class contained. One suggestion that I have is to interview sophomores and juniors who will be here during the longest time of construction. Getting their opinions on it is essential to expand all the different points of view on the construction happening at Millikan.
Lily Temple • Oct 29, 2024 at 1:27 pm
This educational and descriptive article describes Millikan’s construction process in depth to the reader. I was equally informed and entertained while reading this article, and it provided me with several key aspects of the upcoming construction that I was previously unaware of.
Additionally, I appreciate how you labeled the different phases of the construction process. This aids the reader in visualizing the time frame and process of the construction. It is gratifying to be given potential end dates to prepare for, as us students have not been given much information on the future construction.
Furthermore, I support your use of the opinion’s of several different Millikan students in order to validate the article as well as provide a relatable perspective to the text. The quotes you included in the article helped answer common questions that many readers and Millikan students likely had. Overall, this article was informative and enjoyable to read, and I felt much more educated by the end of it.
Liam Neubauer • Oct 25, 2024 at 10:42 am
Can they install ventilation in the 200 bathroom so its not a gas chamber in there.