More than 2,600 graduates crossed commencement stages during Fontana Unified School District's (FUSD) Class of 2026 graduation ceremonies, celebrating years of academic achievement and personal growth as they prepare to pursue futures in higher education, military service, careers, and skilled trades. Fontana Unified honored graduates from its five comprehensive high schools, continuation high school, and adult school from May 26-28 through ceremonies filled with reflections on family sacrifice, cultural pride, celebrations of first-generation achievement, and heartfelt farewells from fellow students.
Whitter Union Adult School (WUAS) will receive nearly $1 million of a Round 3 English Language Learner (ELL) Healthcare Pathways grant, which will go toward the continued expansion of WUAS healthcare pathways curriculum, reduced fees for bilingual students, automatic enrollment to Río Hondo College (RHC), and provide the opportunity for students to earn stackable credentials, which can lead to better pay. The ELL Healthcare Pathways grant is part of a $4.1 million grant awarded to the Río Hondo Region Adult Education Consortium (RHRAEC) – which includes WUAS, RHC, El Monte-Rosemead Adult School (EMRAS), and El Rancho Adult School (ERAS) – to create more opportunities for bilingual speakers in the healthcare industry, where they are in great demand.
Stark State College President Dr. Para Jones is modeling what it means to lead with care, demonstrating the importance of leadership buy-in to Caring Campus by connecting with students, empowering staff and faculty, and embodying the college’s mission of student success. By embracing and modeling Caring Campus principles, Jones has helped reinforce a culture where meaningful connections and student-centered support are woven into the Stark State experience.
By the time San Dimas High School Class of 2003 graduate Lisa Carson received her diploma, she was already planning her return to the campus she loved so much. As an Associated Student Body (ASB) student leader, Carson realized that school spirit and guiding future Saints toward a path to success was her future. Carson fulfilled her destiny when she became San Dimas’ activities director and ASB advisor in 2011. Following in the footsteps of her mentor, former San Dimas High activities director and current Ramona Middle School principal James Ellis, Carson has balanced academic rigor with powerful school spirit, a commitment that has earned her the 2026 Bob Burton Spirit Award from the California Association of Directors of Activities (CADA).
Las Palmas Middle School students are creating a culture of inclusion and friendship through the school’s Best Buddies program, creating meaningful connections that have earned the campus the distinction of Best Buddies California Outstanding Middle School Chapter of the Year. The Best Buddies program pairs students with disabilities with peers, creating opportunities to build friendships, a sense of belonging, and inclusion across campus. What began nearly a decade ago as a small club has grown into a campuswide effort involving leadership students, physical education (PE) classes, and a dedicated Best Buddies Club, with 71 students currently participating.
After nearly four decades dedicated to Lynwood Unified students, Washington Elementary School fifth-grade teacher Kathleen Graham has been named the District’s 2026 Teacher of the Year, recognized for her longstanding commitment to student growth, instructional innovation and campus leadership. Graham began her journey with Lynwood Unified in 1988 after moving to California following her graduation from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. Drawn to the District’s close-knit atmosphere and strong sense of community, she built a career centered on meaningful relationships with students, families and colleagues.
Cheers, applause, and proud smiles filled Toyota Arena as Upland Unified School District celebrated the achievements of 732 graduates from Upland and Hillside high schools during its Class of 2026 commencement ceremony on June 4. Family members, friends, educators, and community supporters gathered to honor the graduates as they crossed the stage and embarked on the next chapter of their educational and professional journeys. The ceremony featured musical performances by Upland High School's (UHS) Combined Concert Band, Choir, Chorale, Madrigals, and the Upland Pipe Band, creating a memorable sendoff for the graduating class.
What began as a heartfelt request from Upland Unified School District leadership became a powerful demonstration of community support when District leaders, businesses, and community organizations came together to help Upland High School graduate Andrew Aparicio, known to the community as Drew, to take the next step toward his future. Aparicio, a foster youth and member of Upland High School's Class of 2026, has overcome significant challenges while remaining focused on his education and career goals. Despite living in Rialto and facing limited transportation options, he arranged travel to Upland each day to attend school, determined to create opportunities for himself through hard work and perseverance. He graduated from Upland High on June 4 and will attend California State University, San Bernardino this fall, where he plans to pursue a career as an athletic trainer.
Bonita Unified School District has been recognized as a “District on the Rise” by the Education Scorecard, according to data compiled through the collaborative efforts of the Center for Educational Policy Research at Harvard University and the Educational Opportunity Project at Stanford University. The data reflects math and reading test scores throughout the District for grades 3-8 since 2021, which have risen steadily. The scores are compared to other districts with similar socioeconomic status, demographics, and size. Bonita was one of just 12 school districts in California to be designated as a “District on the Rise” by the Education Scorecard in 2026.
Upland Unified School District celebrated the accomplishments of its newest credentialed educators and leaders during the Teacher and Administrator Induction Colloquium, held May 13 at the H.K. Baird Theater at Royal Oak Middle School in Covina. The annual event, hosted in partnership with the Foothill Consortium, recognized teachers and administrators who successfully completed California's state-required induction program, earning their clear credentials and demonstrating continued growth in professional practice. This year, 11 Upland Unified teachers and three administrators completed the induction program, joining colleagues from eight school districts and eight individual schools that participate in the Foothill Consortium. The consortium supports educators as they fulfill credential requirements through individualized mentoring, coaching, reflection, and professional learning.
When El Monte High School Class of 2026 graduate Emmy Betancourth and Rosemead High School graduate Linda May learned their schools would field girls flag football teams for the first time during the 2025-26 school year, the scholar-athletes eagerly embraced the opportunity. Already known for challenging themselves in the classroom and in athletics, Betancourth and May quickly stepped into leadership roles as members of their schools' inaugural teams. Betancourth and May were two of just 28 students from the San Gabriel Valley to be recognized with the National Football Foundation (NFF) Pasadena/San Gabriel Valley Chapter’s inaugural Scholar-Athlete Award for Girls Flag Football, representing El Monte Union’s athletic program.
