Every Student Succeeding

ACSA believes every student deserves equal opportunities to succeed. On every school day throughout California, dedicated educators and courageous students overcome tremendous obstacles to reach their goals of academic excellence.

Their success is our success; their powerful stories are our inspiration.

Each year, ACSA recognizes 19 pre-K-adult students, one from each geographic region, as well as two California adult education students, for overcoming the odds and achieving success.

Recognition

Students are honored at ACSA's Leadership Summit Every Student Succeeding Ceremony in November, as well as at various regional events.

In 2025, the ESS presentation is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 6 in San Francisco.

ACSA will actively publicize award recipients through the news media, and ACSA's website, publications and social media channels.

Purpose and Eligibility

Purpose. The purpose of this award is to honor students at all grade levels (pre-K to adult education) who have succeeded against all odds, beyond expectations or simply won the hearts of the administrators and other educators who helped them achieve their goals. One student from each region will be honored.

Eligibility. Nominees should be students who have made a special effort to succeed and have overcome obstacles such as:

• Returning to school
• Leaving a gang
• Improving their attendance
• Changing their attitude
• Overcoming physical and mental barriers

They should also be active in:

• After school programs
• Community service
• Student conflict resolution
• Cross-age tutoring
• Peer mediation
• Peer tutoring

Nominees can come from programs such as:

• Alternative Education
• At-risk
• Bilingual
• Continuation School

Nominations

Nominations must be sent directly to the nominee's region. Each region will select one winner and honor them at region events throughout the year.

Download Nomination Form

Check with your region leadership for the region submission deadline and process.

**All nominations must be submitted to your region or charter leadership.**

REGION LEADERS ONLY:

Regions leaders, send your completed student winner's nomination form (one student recipient per region) to the state ACSA Awards Program coordinator by March 2, 2026:
Emily Agpoon, ACSA Awards Program
916.329.3833 | eagpoon(at)acsa.org

Archives

• View a PDF archive of all student honorees since 1996
• Read student stories since 1996

Region 1

Magdalena (Maggy) Vasquez
Pioneer High School, Shasta Union HSD

Region 2

Anna Schifferle
Union Mine High School, El Dorado Union HSD

Region 3

Dylan Lopez
Esparto USD

Region 4

Sibao (Sylvia) Chen
San Marin High School, Novato USD

Region 5

Roman Fernandez
Panorama Elementary School, Brisbane SD

Region 6

Mathys Joseph
College Park High School, Mt. Diablo USD

Region 7

Zoe Blansett
Amador High School, Amador County USD

Region 8

Erick De La Rosa
Osborne School, Santa Clara COE

Region 9

Stevie-Marie Rendon
Pershing Continuation School, Central USD

Region 10

Anthony Garcia-Trinidad
Pacific Grove Community High School, Pacific Grove USD

Region 11

Kacee Balderama
Jamison High School, Lemoore Union HSD

Region 12

Gissel Uriostigue
Hillside High School, Upland USD

Region 13

Brayan Hernandez
Frontier High School, Oxnard Union HSD

Region 14

Sky Huynh
Artesia High School, ABC USD

Region 15

Sophia Kupelian
Rosemont Middle School, Glendale USD

Region 16

Luke Michel
James A. Garfield High School, Los Angeles USD

Region 17

Angelina Riegelhuth
Los Alamitos High School, Los Alamitos USD

Region 18

Maribel Sandoval
Holtville High School, Holtville USD

Region 19

Adult Education

TBA