Watch one student’s journey from incurable anger to unstoppable ambition

2:35

Valley Oak High School Offers Students A Second Chance

When she first got here, she was, like a lot of our students… guarded and sheltered and a little lost and confused. And then… she just found herself. And she just kinda flipped the switch and ‘oh, I t

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3:17

Overcoming addiction to find purpose

“In my 37 years, I haven’t had a student that has overcome the difficulties that Nick has, and gotten to this point in his life in such a positive state, and graduate.” -Teacher, Jack Maranto, Indian

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3:03

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

“We’re just like a comprehensive high school, we just deliver it in a different way. We’re more case managers, more counselors than teachers.” -Teacher, Jessica Cisneros-Elliot At just 17, Michelle B

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2:23

Immigrant student leaves family for better life in U.S.

“From the first day I met him, he had that something special that not a lot of kids have. He is a worker. He just has this desire to learn and to improve. And he’s got the immigrant hunger. Where I th

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3:28

Bakersfield special education student makes history as AP art student

“I never thought I’d be able to do it. I honestly that I would never be able to do an AP class.”- Mickaela Valenti, ACSA Region 11, Stockdale High School “During my childhood, I had a hard time readi

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3:00

Kerman student all about giving back

“You don’t typically find kids like that who want to volunteer anymore and make the community a better place just because. And that’s what he’s all about. He wants to make Kerman a better place to liv

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4:20

Los Alamitos student Joe Chao shines on the court after life-threatening seizure

“When I say he’s a once in a lifetime player, he really is. He’s every coach’s dream to coach.” - Los Alamitos High basketball head coach Eddie Courtemarche said of Joe Chao. In February of 2004, fou

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4:08

BAWSI Roller Jacqueline Rodriguez Does Not Care What You Think

Jacqueline has known the stares and whispers her entire life. She was born with lymphatic malformations, a rare condition that formed large masses in her cheeks, tongue, and chest. She underwent multi

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2:21

Ukiah student works to repay immigrant parents for their sacrifice

Rodrigo Portillo has had more responsibilities than many teenagers. His parents were born in Mexico but immigrated to the United States in hopes of providing a better life for their children. Rodrigo

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1:35

Human trafficking survivor showcases strength through poetry

Youth poet Jatia Raymond is a voice for young women everywhere who understand strength and survival at an early age. When Jatia was just six years old, her father died of a brain tumor. She moved in

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3:18

Human trafficking survivor turns to principal & poetry for strength

When Jatia was just six years old, her father died of a brain tumor. She moved in with her aunt to what she thought was a safer environment but she became a victim of human trafficking. After years of

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2:43

LAUSD student flourishes after dangerous childhood in El Salvador

Christian Lopez grew up in Cuscatancingo, El Salvador, home to the infamous 18th Street Gang. El Salvador has a murder rate that is 22 times that of the United States. In 2014, Christian’s mom arrange

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0:42

Viviana Patino: Every Student Succeeding Winner Announcement!

Viviana grew up in Tecoman, Colima, Mexico, and immigrated to the United States when she was five years old. She is a caregiver to her younger siblings and a shining example for them of what it means

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3:05

Immigrant student sets sights on success...college

Viviana grew up in Tecoman, Colima in Mexico, and immigrated to the United States when she was five years old. She is a caregiver to her younger siblings and a shining example for them of what it mean

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3:13

Grandfather's love saves suicidal student; now she's college bound

The man Destiny affectionately calls “Papa”, her grandfather, stepped up and took over as her caretaker after a rocky start to her life. When he was diagnosed with cancer, her world fell apart. Both h

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3:30

From Myanmar to a Modesto High School; An Immigrant Student's American Dream

David Jasuan was born in Myanmar to a Christian missionary. As a result of government persecution, David and his family were forced to escape the country. They crossed the border from Myanmar to Thail

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3:10

Teachers take in student after family’s death, offering a bright new future

In infancy, Richard’s grandparents took him from his parents, both addicts, and raised him as their own. When they died while Richard was still young, depression became yet another battle he had to fi

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3:31

Maria’s Mission: Change the World, One Person at a Time

Maria’s first commitment is to service. Her second… to social justice. Maria was born in Salvatierra Guanajuato, Mexico. While her father served as a migrant worker in the United States, Maria grew up

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4:29

From Prison to Graduation - 20 Years Later, He’s Just Getting Started

Rodney Lacanienta will be the first to tell you that growing up, he made some bad choices. After years of bouncing in and out of prison and struggling with addiction, Rodney finally found his way with

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3:59

Brain Injury Survivor Finds Her Voice in Choir Class

Jessica and her twin brother were born premature at just 30 weeks when Jessica was diagnosed with periventricular leukomalacia, a brain injury that affects development. She spent years in and out of h

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Watch one student’s journey from incurable anger to unstoppable ambition

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When she first got here, she was, like a lot of our students… guarded and sheltered and a little lost and confused. And then… she just found herself. And she just kinda flipped the switch and ‘oh, I t

“In my 37 years, I haven’t had a student that has overcome the difficulties that Nick has, and gotten to this point in his life in such a positive state, and graduate.” -Teacher, Jack Maranto, Indian

“We’re just like a comprehensive high school, we just deliver it in a different way. We’re more case managers, more counselors than teachers.” -Teacher, Jessica Cisneros-Elliot At just 17, Michelle B

“From the first day I met him, he had that something special that not a lot of kids have. He is a worker. He just has this desire to learn and to improve. And he’s got the immigrant hunger. Where I th

“I never thought I’d be able to do it. I honestly that I would never be able to do an AP class.”- Mickaela Valenti, ACSA Region 11, Stockdale High School “During my childhood, I had a hard time readi

“You don’t typically find kids like that who want to volunteer anymore and make the community a better place just because. And that’s what he’s all about. He wants to make Kerman a better place to liv

“When I say he’s a once in a lifetime player, he really is. He’s every coach’s dream to coach.” - Los Alamitos High basketball head coach Eddie Courtemarche said of Joe Chao. In February of 2004, fou

Jacqueline has known the stares and whispers her entire life. She was born with lymphatic malformations, a rare condition that formed large masses in her cheeks, tongue, and chest. She underwent multi

Rodrigo Portillo has had more responsibilities than many teenagers. His parents were born in Mexico but immigrated to the United States in hopes of providing a better life for their children. Rodrigo

Youth poet Jatia Raymond is a voice for young women everywhere who understand strength and survival at an early age. When Jatia was just six years old, her father died of a brain tumor. She moved in

When Jatia was just six years old, her father died of a brain tumor. She moved in with her aunt to what she thought was a safer environment but she became a victim of human trafficking. After years of

Christian Lopez grew up in Cuscatancingo, El Salvador, home to the infamous 18th Street Gang. El Salvador has a murder rate that is 22 times that of the United States. In 2014, Christian’s mom arrange

Viviana grew up in Tecoman, Colima, Mexico, and immigrated to the United States when she was five years old. She is a caregiver to her younger siblings and a shining example for them of what it means

Viviana grew up in Tecoman, Colima in Mexico, and immigrated to the United States when she was five years old. She is a caregiver to her younger siblings and a shining example for them of what it mean

The man Destiny affectionately calls “Papa”, her grandfather, stepped up and took over as her caretaker after a rocky start to her life. When he was diagnosed with cancer, her world fell apart. Both h

David Jasuan was born in Myanmar to a Christian missionary. As a result of government persecution, David and his family were forced to escape the country. They crossed the border from Myanmar to Thail

In infancy, Richard’s grandparents took him from his parents, both addicts, and raised him as their own. When they died while Richard was still young, depression became yet another battle he had to fi

Maria’s first commitment is to service. Her second… to social justice. Maria was born in Salvatierra Guanajuato, Mexico. While her father served as a migrant worker in the United States, Maria grew up

Rodney Lacanienta will be the first to tell you that growing up, he made some bad choices. After years of bouncing in and out of prison and struggling with addiction, Rodney finally found his way with

Jessica and her twin brother were born premature at just 30 weeks when Jessica was diagnosed with periventricular leukomalacia, a brain injury that affects development. She spent years in and out of h