Oakland Unified Honors Latino Academic Excellence with Huge Annual Celebration

Fremont High School had a huge crowd on campus on Saturday, March 28, for a celebration of academic success. It was the 26th Annual Latino Student Honor Roll event. The more than 1,000 middle and high school students honored on this day have at least a cumulative 3.75 grade point average (GPA). “For me it means a lot. Because it shows the District cares about my community. And they give recognition to people, Latinos who achieve,” said Marco P., a 9th grader at Oakland Tech.

“It feels good. I’m very proud of my grades in school. Latinos work very hard,” said Michael L., a 7th grader at Melrose Leadership Academy (in photo with his family). Michael’s family is also very proud, and focused on helping him continue having this kind of success. “This is his second year on the honor roll,” said his mother, Maria. “So, every year, it’s a goal for us. And we’re pushing him to be successful and better than we were. Whatever he wants to do, we’re going to push him to do it, and work our hearts for him to get what he wants.”

The event had a joyous beginning with a performance by the Folklorico de Fremont High School dance group. Then, throughout the day, groups of students were called to the stage to receive their honor roll medals. Board of Education President Jennifer Brouhard, Superintendent Dr. Denise Saddler, former Board Director Jorge Lerma, along with a host of school and district leaders presented the medals. As their names were called, each student was showered with cheers from the audience.

“The first thing that comes to mind is Latino Excellence,” said Marco’s sister, Danya P. (in the photo below with their mother), a senior at Oakland Tech who is currently deciding whether to attend UCLA or U.C. Berkeley on full-ride scholarships in the fall. “I mean, growing up, my parents never went to college. They never even went to school here in the U.S. And to be that stepping point, to be that guide for my little brother, as well, who is also first generation, they could be that turning point, and to show Latino Excellence, and as a first generation student, it means so much to me.”

Chief Academic Officer Dr. Sondra Aguilera spoke to the students and families, and was clearly moved by the students and all their accomplishments. “But today is not just about individual success. It’s about collective strength. We honor your families who have supported you every step of the way, whether through encouragement, sacrifice, guidance, or simply believing in you. Your families are an essential part of this effort. Your success reflects their love, resilience, and unwavering commitment to your futures.”

Emma Roos and ECHO, the Educational Coalition for Hispanics in Oakland, founded the Latino Student Honor Roll celebration in 2000. After handing out medals, Roos explained what prompted the creation of the event. “I had all these students who had great grades, excellent grades. And nothing happened to them. And I thought, what if I do something to honor these kids? And well, I just see it! Think about these parents looking at their children getting an honor. So, they help their kids, they see their parents are excited, and every bit helps drive our students to excel.”

All the high school seniors with their high GPAs were called up specially to be presented with Latino Honor Roll stoles. Yaretzi C. is a senior from Fremont High School (in photo below with her principal, Nidya Baez to her left and District staff), who also won a scholarship at the event, which will come in handy in the fall when she starts her college career majoring in Molecular and Cell Biology at her dream school, U.C. Berkeley. “It just feels like an honor… like I’m in a community, and my peers are hard workers… it just feels so heartwarming. There’s not a lot of recognition globally for Latinos. And just like being in a close knit community and knowing that there are adults in our OUSD community that are supporting us, and making sure we are able to reach our goals and opportunities, it’s just amazing.”

The event recognizes thousands of additional students with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 to 3.74. All of them are receiving certificates, along with any honoree who did not make it to the Saturday celebration.