Every Student Succeeding

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.

We hope you'll join us to celebrate this year's outstanding student honorees and recognize the hundreds of students who have inspired us with their courage and resilience since 1996.

Every Student Succeeding Honorees

2024 Student Honorees

We sincerely congratulate all the 2024 student recipients at the charter, region and state levels.
ACSA is proud to honor your achievements, resilience and bravery.

Watch their inspiring stories now on ACSA YouTube.


Region 1

Tanner Via-Root
Arcata High School, Northern Humboldt Union HSD


Region 2

Haley Hull
Placer School for Adults, Placer Union HSD


Region 3

Gabriela Bernal Ramirez
Kinney Continuation High, Folsom Cordova USD


Region 4

Lilian Gesell
Jesse Bethel High School, Vallejo City USD


Region 5

Eduardo Galindo Aguilar
Mills High School, San Mateo Union HSD


Region 6

Adam Tobar
James Madison Elementary, San Leandro USD


Region 7

Aidan Flores-Lerman
Ustach Middle School, Sylvan Union SD



Region 8

Johnathan Spencer
Gilroy High School, Gilroy USD


Region 9

Mariah Mask-Johnson
Sequoia Middle School, Fresno USD


Region 10

Mariana Cortes-Ceja
Spring Grove School, North County Joint Union SD


Region 11

Leonor Quiroz
Mission Oak High School, Tulare Joint Union HSD


Region 12

Julio Garcia-Gil
Cobalt Institute of Math & Science, Victor Valley Union HSD


Region 13

Miguel Rivera
Dos Puertas Juvenile Court School, Santa Barbara CEO


Region 14

Gennalyn Torres
Cerritos High School, ABC USD


Region 15

Yasdeli Chavez Chilel
Blair High School, Pasadena USD


Region 16

Jay Martinez
Walt Whitman High School, Los Angeles USD


Region 17

Matthew Franco
Anaheim High School ILC, Anaheim Union HSD


Region 18

Elliott Turner
Vista High School, Vista USD


Region 19

Luigi Garibay
Heritage High School, Perris Union HSD


Adult Education

Jazzmyn Williams
Visalia Adult School

Stephen Hughes
Norwalk La Mirada Adult School

Program Overview

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 2024, the ESS presentation is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 14 in San Diego.

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:

Send your completed student winner's nomination form (one student recipient per region) to the state ACSA Awards Program coordinator by March 3, 2025: Emily Agpoon, ACSA Awards Program
916.329.3833 | eagpoon(at)acsa.org


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Every Student Succeeding