GUSD Special Edition

As we close another incredible school year, we want to take a moment to celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of our Career Technical Education (CTE) programs. Throughout the year, our students, teachers, counselors, administrators, and industry partners have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to preparing students for college, career, and future success.

From hands-on learning experiences and industry certifications to business pitches, student showcases, pathway events, and work-based learning opportunities, our programs have continued to provide meaningful experiences that connect classroom learning to real-world careers. The dedication, creativity, and perseverance displayed across all of our pathways are a testament to the strength of our CTE community.

We are incredibly proud of the work our students have accomplished and grateful for the educators and partners who make these opportunities possible. As you explore this newsletter, we invite you to take a look at the amazing projects, events, and achievements that highlight the innovation and hard work embedded in our programs.

Thank you for being part of another successful year. Together, we continue to empower students, inspire career exploration, and build pathways to bright futures.

Fifteen judges participated in the Panther Pitchfest, where Business Pathway students presented their entrepreneurial ventures and business pitches, including Clark Café, VroomBa Car Vacuum, Love Notes Music App, Made in Heaven Wedding Planners, and many more. Students showcased the work they developed throughout the course, including 30-day Instagram marketing plans, customer personas, business websites, and comprehensive business strategies. Judges had the opportunity to hear each pitch, provide feedback, and engage with students as they demonstrated their creativity, innovation, and business skills.

We are proud to celebrate an extraordinary accomplishment by our AFJROTC cadets and program leadership team. Our program has officially been recognized as an AY25–26 Unit Awards and Community Service with Excellence Award recipient, earning the distinguished honor of being named a “Distinguished Unit with Merit.”These prestigious recognitions reflect far more than meeting program expectations. They are a testament to the dedication, leadership, resilience, and service demonstrated daily by our cadets and instructors. From leading campus initiatives to serving the community and representing the values of AFJROTC with excellence, our students continue to raise the standard of achievement.

We congratulate all of our cadets and program leaders on this well-deserved recognition. The future is bright, and the bar continues to rise for our outstanding AFJROTC program

To honor Mental Health Month, miniature therapy horses visited Daily High School. The gentle animals offered a unique, grounding experience that naturally lowers anxiety, boosts morale, and encourages mindfulness through touch and connection. This special visit highlighted the powerful role animal-assisted therapy plays in building emotional resilience and supporting student wellness.

A special acknowledgment to Yasmin Solomon, a 10th-grade student in Cinema 3–4, for her outstanding video project highlighting Glendale High School's CTE Roadshow. Through her creativity, storytelling, and technical filmmaking skills, Yasmin captured the energy and excitement of an event designed to introduce students to the many Career Technical Education opportunities available at GHS.

The CTE Roadshow showcased Glendale High School's diverse career pathways, providing students with hands-on experiences and insights into fields such as healthcare, engineering, arts and media, business, and skilled trades. Yasmin's project not only documented the event but also highlighted the importance of career exploration and the real-world learning experiences that help students discover their passions and future career goals.

Thank you, Yasmin, for your dedication and talent in bringing the GHS CTE experience to life. Your work is a wonderful example of the creativity, professionalism, and student voice that make Glendale High School's CTE programs so impactful. We look forward to seeing your continued success in the Cinema pathway and beyond! 🎬✨

The Hoover String Orchestra performed at a festival for the Southern California State Band and Orchestra Association, and earned Superior Ratings! Students work hard every day to demonstrate professionalism, preparation, and performance etiquette. All of these skills help students to be ready for real-world experiences and future performances, both at Hoover and in a college setting. Congrats to the HSO!

Hoover High School's Virtual Enterprises students represented their school with excellence at the 2026 Youth Business Summit in New York City after a year of innovation, collaboration, and entrepreneurship.

The school's three student-run firms—Ratio+Plus, NutriVida, and TasteTop—earned Bronze and Gold awards in Booth Design and Social Media Marketing Campaign, showcasing their creativity, professionalism, and business skills on a national stage.

In addition, student Marat Fatkhov was named a Global Challenge finalist, competing among top students from across the United States and countries including Brazil, Indonesia, Austria, Germany, and Bulgaria.

These accomplishments highlight the talent, dedication, and hard work of Hoover's aspiring entrepreneurs and the strength of the Virtual Enterprises program in preparing students for future success.

As a culminating end-of-year project, students in Culinary 1-2 at Eleanor J. Toll Middle School take on the challenge of creating their own food truck concept.

The project requires students to select a specific cultural cuisine, research and develop a 10-item menu, design a digital model of their food truck, and choose a signature dish to prepare. Students must write their own recipe, create a grocery list, and independently prepare their dish while meeting a variety of project requirements and time constraints.

This hands-on experience allows students to apply culinary techniques, creativity, planning, and problem-solving skills in a real-world setting. Over the years, the Food Truck Project has become a student favorite and a highlight of the Culinary Arts program.

We are proud of the hard work, dedication, and delicious creations our students have produced. Enjoy these photos showcasing their outstanding work and culinary talents! 🚚🍽️👩‍🍳👨‍🍳✨

In Ms. Yvie Raj’s 6th-grade class, students are exploring 3D modeling and printing by creating multi-level Minecraft-inspired dioramas. Each project represents the Overworld, Nether, and End, while incorporating measurement, planning, and design. Students determine what elements to digitally model and print, applying creativity and problem-solving as they bring their ideas to life through hands-on CTE learning experiences.

The Class of 2026 at CVHS proudly celebrated the successful completion of the ETLP Pathway, recognizing students' dedication, growth, and achievement as they reached this important milestone in their educational journey.

Do you enjoy visiting museums? If so, be sure to check out the latest student art exhibition at the Autry Museum of the American West, located across from the LA Zoo! Opening Day was a memorable experience for student artists, featuring live music, a catered lunch, and hands-on opportunities to participate in button-making and printmaking activities.

Please join us in congratulating Hoover High School freshman Marco Jones, whose artwork was selected for display in this year's exhibition at the museum. This is an outstanding achievement and a testament to Marco's creativity, talent, and dedication to the arts

Congratulations, Marco! We are proud to see your artistic talents recognized and showcased in such a prestigious setting. 🎨👏✨

We are proud to share that CVHS Falkon Robotics (Team 589) earned a double victory at their first 2026 FIRST Robotics Competition event!

🏆 FIRST Impact Award – Recognized among 36 teams for outstanding community outreach and STEM access efforts across GUSD, earning a spot at the Southern California District Championship.

🏆 FIRST District Winners – Team 589 and their robot, WALL-E, overcame technical challenges to win the competition alongside alliance partners Team 4414 "High Tide" and Team 973 "Greybots."

These achievements reflect years of dedication, service, and innovation by our students. Be sure to check out the attached video of Team 589 in action!

We are excited to celebrate the continued success of our Career Technical Education students beyond high school!

Vicente Hernandez, a Hoover High School Class of 2025 graduate, has completed the articulated automotive pathway with Rio Hondo College and earned his General Service Technician Certification.

Vicente began his journey in Hoover's Automotive Technology pathway, where he completed courses taught by Javier Luna that were articulated with Rio Hondo College, allowing him to receive college credit and continue building his skills after graduation.

It is inspiring to see our students leveraging the opportunities provided through CTE pathways to advance their education and careers. Congratulations to Vicente on this outstanding achievement, and we look forward to hearing about his future accomplishments! 🚗🎓👏

The California Association of Leaders for Career Preparation (CALCP), a statewide organization dedicated to advancing high-quality Career Technical Education and supporting educators across K–adult systems, awards scholarships to high school seniors who plan to continue in their career pathways beyond graduation.

This year, CV proudly had seven students submit applications and all seven were awarded scholarships, totaling $10,750. Congratulations to the following students:

Congratulations to Priscilla Youmes, a graduating senior at Glendale High School, on being selected as a NextGrad Scholarship recipient! Priscilla's dedication, perseverance, and commitment to her academic and career goals have earned her this well-deserved recognition. This fall, she will continue her educational journey at University of California, Riverside.

We are proud of Priscilla's accomplishments and excited to see all that she will achieve in the future. Congratulations, Priscilla, and best wishes as you begin this exciting new chapter at UC Riverside!✨

We want to congratulate all of our CTE seniors on their hard work, dedication, and accomplishments. Your commitment to developing career skills, exploring your passions, and preparing for the future has been truly inspiring. Whether you are heading to college, entering the workforce, joining an apprenticeship, or pursuing another path, we are confident that the knowledge and experiences you gained through CTE will serve you well.

We wish you continued success, new opportunities, and many achievements in your future endeavors. Congratulations, Class of 2026! 🌟🎓

We wish all of our students, families, and staff a restful, safe, and enjoyable summer. May this time bring opportunities to relax, recharge, and create new memories with family and friends.

Congratulations on a successful year, and we look forward to seeing you again in the fall! 🌞🎉📚