Mesa Elementary School fifth-grader Raymond Chen put quick thinking and bravery into action during a life-threatening emergency in a swimming pool, helping save his mother, Jade Chen. Raymond and his mother were swimming in their backyard pool when he heard her scream his name, saw her flail her arms, and begin sinking in the middle of the pool after experiencing a leg cramp. Raymond quickly swam toward her and pushed her to safety at the edge of the pool.
Staff at Clark State College in Ohio are building a strong culture of care and meaningful connection through Caring Campus, helping students feel welcomed and supported, with plans to expand Caring Campus work to faculty in 2027 through continued support from ECMC Foundation. As part of Caring Campus’ rural network expansion initiative funded by ECMC Foundation, the college began initial implementation with staff in 2025 and will help advance a more united campus culture focused on student success. The new grant will bring Caring Campus to as many as 18 rural colleges across the nation, helping institutions foster strong cultures of care that increase student retention, persistence, and success rates.
Upland Unified School District celebrated the history, culture, art, and cuisine of its Latino community during its fifth annual Hispanic Heritage Month Festival on Oct. 1, bringing students, families, and staff together for an afternoon featuring mariachi music, folklórico dancers, tacos, pupuserias, and dancing in the main quad at Upland High School. The event, which also served as a resource fair for the local community, was attended by more than 300 local residents, many wearing traditional clothing or colors representing their countries of origin. At tables decorated with Mexican tapestries, guests enjoyed chilitos and sipped on horchata while watching local artists and Upland Unified students bring their culture to life with inspiring performances.
With an innovative approach to teaching and a commitment to ensuring every student feels seen, supported, and empowered to succeed, Fernando R. Ledesma High School (FRLHS) English teacher Jorane Barton has earned El Monte Union High School District’s 2026-27 Teacher of the Year honor.
Barton has taught in El Monte Union for two decades, continuing a long family tradition in education. Her approach centers on the whole child, beginning with making sure students’ basic needs are met – that they feel safe, supported, and ready to learn – before turning her attention to academics.
With a mariachi band serenading more than 200 attendees, Dolores Huerta International Academy (DHIA) celebrated its 10-year anniversary with a community gala on Sept. 18, spotlighting the award-winning K-6 school’s commitment to promoting multicultural and multilingual students through its International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme and Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program. Representatives of Congresswoman Norma Torres, State Senator Eloise Reyes, and Assemblymember Robert Garcia presented special proclamations and certificates to DHIA during the celebration, recognizing the dedication of the administrators, faculty, staff, and students who have helped build the school into a community treasure.
Whittier Union High School District welcomed the communities of Whittier, Santa Fe Springs, Norwalk, La Mirada, and Downey to its second annual State of the District address, held at Pioneer High School on Oct. 7, highlighting the District’s many academic achievements and award-winning curriculum. More than 200 community members, elected officials, students, families, and staff attended the event, which included a catered dinner and a live performance by Santa Fe High School’s Mariachi Los Dorados, under the leadership of choir director David Kwon.
