The mission of ACSA is to ensure that all students have the essential skills and knowledge needed to excel. On every school day throughout California, dedicated educators and courageous students overcome tremendous obstacles to reach that goal. Their success is our success; their powerful stories are our inspiration.
ACSA’s Every Student Succeeding program honors students who exceed our expectations and the educators who support them along the way. We are proud to highlight these young men and women who have overcome great obstacles to succeed. They face life’s challenges head on. Their stories are remarkable and their futures are bright.
Purpose. The purpose of this award is to honor students at all grade levels 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. The success of these students should be tied to the work of ACSA administrators. We know that other educators will also have made significant contributions to their support, including board members, teachers, guardians, community members, etc.
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
Nomination Process. 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.
The Every Student Succeeding Award Recipients for the 2020-2021 year
Naima Dellawar Cerritos High School ABC Unified School District |
America Moreno Torrance Adult School Torrance Unified School District |
Ivan Yakhno Calle Mayor Middle School Torrance Unified School District |
Itzel Pina Artesia High School ABC Unified School District |
Diego Gonzalez Norwalk High School Norwalk/La Mirada USD |
Bryan Mijangos Mayfair High School Bellflower Unified School District |
Michael Ziegler El Camino High School Norwalk/La Mirada USD |
Angel Gudino Artesia High School ABC Unified School District |
Alyssa Ancheta Tracy High School ABC Unified School District |
Faith Hogue Buena Vista High School Paramount Unified School District |
Damian Cespedes Woodruff Elementary School Bellflower Unified School District |
Elmer Arroyo Nuffer Elementary School Norwalk/La Mirada USD |
The Every Student Succeeding Award Recipients for the 2019-2020 year
Leiona Carlisle Bellflower Adult Transition Center Bellflower Unified School District |
Dominic Hamilton Williams Elementary Downey Unified School District |
Matthew Castillion Nuffer STEAM Academy Norwalk-La Mirada |
Daniel Medelez Washington Elementary Bellflower Unified School District |
Olivia Fernandez Cerritos High School ABC Unified School District |
Gisel Osuna Buena Vista High School Paramount Unified School District |
Ana Gonzalez Downey Adult School Downey Unified School District |
Karina Pineda El Camino High School Norwalk-La Mirada |
Meri Gukasian Hoover High School Glendale Unified School District |
Tamara Quintana Carr Elementary Torrance Unified School District |
The students and their support teams were invited to attend the ACSA Region 14 Every Student Succeeding Award Recognition Banquet on February 26, 2020 at the Grand in Long Beach. ACSA Region 14 is grateful to Schools First Credit Union for their sponsorship of our event. In addition, we wish to thank STS Corporation for their generous donation of a Chromebook for each of our award winners. Also, we want to thank South High School’s Southland Singers from Torrance Unified School District for entertaining at the event.