“I always loved school. So, I always had big dreams.”

Emily Yang grew up in a household where she says she never felt safe. One of eight children, Emily was the victim of sexual abuse by a family member. In 2018, Emily courageously reported the family me

Positivity and responsibility are traits Rayahna Fraijo has learned through the hard lessons life has given her. Right as Ray was about to start middle school in Southern California, her mother passed

Adrian Chun was looking forward to his senior year at Wheatland Union High School. But two weeks before Christmas, Adrian’s mother unexpectedly passed away. The school community provided an outpouring

Hallie Evans is determined to become a doctor and break down barriers to adequate health care for Black women. Hallie herself has faced medical issues and other trauma. In sixth grade, she joined th

Isabella Francisco follows the Golden Rule — care for others as they care for you. Isabella’s positive nature has helped her create strong connections to her school community and friends, so much so t

Life can change dramatically in just a few seconds. It took only that long for a piece of shrapnel from a car crash to injure Adrian Grajeda’s leg while he was playing soccer at recess. The metal se

Kaiyanna Han has faced more challenges than many people do in a lifetime, and it hasn’t stopped her from setting goals and striving to achieve them. She grew up in an unstable home, struggling with po

Matthew Barrera’s life was upended at the young age of 11. His mother died, and then he had to move from Idaho to California to live with his aunt and uncle. His relatives gave him advice that helped

Neomi Chavez was a typical 8th grader. She earned excellent grades, enjoyed playing sports and was looking forward to attending high school. Then, during the summer before freshman year, Neomi was ass

Zayne Higuera's grandfather was always there as a caretaker. Then illness made him unable to look after Zayne and his brother, to a degree that Zayne’s high school counselor became concerned at his sl

Natalie Gonzalez is in the top 10 percent of her class, serves as a leader in several clubs and took all AP courses available to her at her school’s STEM Magnet program. But beneath the surface, she f

By the time ACSA Region 9 Every Student Succeeding recipient Tyler Sheen arrived at Central High East Campus in Fresno, it was his 19th new school. As a child in the foster system, Tyler struggled to

ACSA Region 15 Every Student Succeeding recipient Angel Barnes' life changed on July 3, 2018. Angel's sister, her sister's fiance and her two nieces died in a collision in Palmdale. While Angel grieve

For ACSA Region 4 Every Student Succeeding winner Caitlynn Alimboyao, “paying it forward” is a value she champions at school, in her community and with her family. After surviving a life-threatening m

Consuelo Vidal-Perez's mother meant everything to her. The Watsonville High School senior said she and her mom did everything together. After her mother died from cancer when Consuelo was 15 years old

Fifth grader Nate Lopez of Oak Grove School District has lived more than one lifetime of hurt. His mother passed away when he was very young; he and his siblings went to live with their grandmother. H

After the deaths of his brother and mother, Region 11 Every Student Succeeding winner Oscar Velazquez moved around a lot. One family member would take him in, and then another — he no longer had one c

When Maribel Zaragoza became a teenage mother at the age of 14, she decided her child would be her inspiration to further her education. In 2017, She began attending Cesar Chavez Community School in t

Congratulations to ACSA Region 12 Every Student Succeeding winner Joaquin Enriquez from Upland High School. Joaquin is a gifted singer and actor. He has performed on stage with Broadway stars Bernadet