Community Candlelight Vigil

Dear PYLUSD Community,

Words cannot express the deep sorrow our entire school community is experiencing. Our district is heartbroken by the tragic car accident that claimed the lives of two of our students from El Dorado and Yorba Linda High Schools, just one week after the loss of an Esperanza High School student.

These tragedies have deeply impacted our entire PYLUSD community. These students grew up in our schools, attending Topaz, Sierra Vista, Rose Drive, Van Buren, Mabel Paine, Tynes, and Glenview Elementary Schools, as well as OCSCS and Yorba Linda Middle School. They were part of our PYLUSD family for many years, forming friendships, creating memories, and touching the lives of so many along the way.

During this incredibly difficult time, we have received heartfelt requests from students, staff, and community members for an opportunity to come together to remember, and honor the lives of these three students.

In partnership with students at El Camino, El Dorado, Esperanza, Valencia, and Yorba Linda, we invite our entire community to join us for a candlelight vigil.

Community Candlelight Vigil
Date: Thursday, November 12, 2026
Time: 4:00–5:00 p.m.

Candle Lighting Ceremony: 4:45 p.m.
Location: Veterans Park, Yorba Linda

As our community continues to grieve, we hope this gathering will provide a meaningful opportunity to stand together in support of one another, honor the memories of these three students, and find comfort in the strength of our PYLUSD family.

We also recognize that grief affects everyone differently, and we remain committed to supporting our students and staff during this difficult time. Grief counselors from the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District and the Orange County Department of Education will be available on our campuses throughout the week to provide support to students who may be affected by these tragedies.

Please continue to keep our Aztec, Raptor, Golden Hawk, and Mustang families, along with our entire district community, in your thoughts as we navigate these heartbreaking losses together.

Sincerely,

Dr. Kym LeBlanc-Esparza
Superintendent of Schools

Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District