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

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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2:16

Community School Turns Lives Around

Victor never liked school…that is until he found himself at David Stine Chaffey West run by the San Bernadino County Office of Education. The school is a community day school that helps at-risk and be

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3:29

Harry Potter Taught Linda How To Read. This Girl Is Magic.

A lifelong Harry Potter fan, Linda Rand is now an avid reader who started at Balboa Middle School as a 6th grader after moving from the United Arab Emirates speaking almost no English. With help from

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2:45

Hydronephrosis Survivor's Disney Dreams Come True

Adrian is known at his school as the boy who always has a warm smile and heart full of sweetness and love. Diagnosed with Hydronephrosis, he has endured multiple surgeries throughout his young life. H

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2:35

Tough Girls Rule! California City Survives and Thrives No Matter the Obstacle

Nathalie Uribe was raised by her grandmother with love and support in the small town of California City. When she arrived home from a sporting event and found that she had passed away, her world fell

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4:21

African Burn Survivor Jespa Awomah Finds Hope, Education in California

It only took one Facebook post to change the life of 17-year-old Cameroon native Jespa Awomah. Jespa was severely burned at 10 months old when he fell into an open cooking fire in his family’s home. H

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3:56

Inspiring Edison High Soccer Star Overcomes Brain Injury

When Nicky Macchiavello was 17, a motorcycle accident at a motocross track changed his life forever. The HS varsity soccer player crashed and suffered a traumatic brain injury, landing him in a medica

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0:32

Every Student Succeeding... New season coming June 13th to Youtube.com/AcsaOrg

WE’RE HONORED TO BRING YOU THE STORIES OF 21 STUDENTS WHO FOUGHT TIRELESSLY TO GET TO WHERE THEY ARE TODAY… AND WHO SHOWCASE THE VERY BEST OF CALIFORNIA PUBLIC SCHOOLS. Subscribe today to www.youtube

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

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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

Victor never liked school…that is until he found himself at David Stine Chaffey West run by the San Bernadino County Office of Education. The school is a community day school that helps at-risk and be

A lifelong Harry Potter fan, Linda Rand is now an avid reader who started at Balboa Middle School as a 6th grader after moving from the United Arab Emirates speaking almost no English. With help from

Adrian is known at his school as the boy who always has a warm smile and heart full of sweetness and love. Diagnosed with Hydronephrosis, he has endured multiple surgeries throughout his young life. H

Nathalie Uribe was raised by her grandmother with love and support in the small town of California City. When she arrived home from a sporting event and found that she had passed away, her world fell

It only took one Facebook post to change the life of 17-year-old Cameroon native Jespa Awomah. Jespa was severely burned at 10 months old when he fell into an open cooking fire in his family’s home. H

When Nicky Macchiavello was 17, a motorcycle accident at a motocross track changed his life forever. The HS varsity soccer player crashed and suffered a traumatic brain injury, landing him in a medica

WE’RE HONORED TO BRING YOU THE STORIES OF 21 STUDENTS WHO FOUGHT TIRELESSLY TO GET TO WHERE THEY ARE TODAY… AND WHO SHOWCASE THE VERY BEST OF CALIFORNIA PUBLIC SCHOOLS. Subscribe today to www.youtube