Read inspiring stories of students and educators from our Southern California Partner School Network who have exemplified what it means to be an upstander.

Read inspiring stories of students and educators from our Northern and Southern California Partner School Network who have exemplified what it means to be an upstander.

Each week, SAMEAN Voices consistently builds engaging and interactive curriculum, facilitating vulnerable and transformative dialogues for their peers. While SAMEAN Voices presents from an AMEMSA experience, they are open to all students and staff and their meetings have a high multiracial and multiethnic attendance.

Hailey has been a prominent voice in our weekly Upstander meetings regardless of the topic. She has advocated for us to support people experiencing homelessness through various means.

Sanaia stands out because she has stood up as a leader and as a beacon of positivity in her grade level.

Heydy participated in a youth leadership workshop for I Learn America (ILA), a project that brings students together to tell their stories of migration.

Itzel J. is someone who has learned how to advocate for her needs, support her classmates through their own struggles by offering advice, all while having such a positive attitude at our school.

Michelle has been an ally for LGBTQIA+ friends at our school. She has shared how she offered support for a student who wanted to come out as gay.

Angie is extremely hardworking but she also shows her abilities to be an Upstander in the classroom and for our school during these unprecedented times of distance learning.

Kimberly’s standing up has given other students reason to pause and think about how their response to something was insensitive and how to re-word their response to be more inclusive as well as sensitive to others.

Kaylen is the current president of Bring Change to Mind, a club that is dedicated to encouraging dialogue about mental health, and to raising awareness, understanding, and empathy.

This year, our Student Upstanders group met weekly via Zoom every Friday at 8am. Prycilla always attends and is willing to share her ideas with everyone, but one of her best attributes is allowing others to also have a say and encouraging everyone in their individual passions.  

Alina is this year's president of SAMEAN (South Asian Middle Eastern Arab North African) Voices. An active member of the group for the last four years, as president this year she acted on the demands of the uprisings for racial and social justice from this summer in order to build community, raise awareness, and take action.

Josue is one of those students teachers will always remember. From volunteering to read first to sharing his insights on social justice issues, Josue’s teachers can always count on him to lead discussion.

Knowing that words are very powerful, Alexis has used the power within his control to make a positive impact on those around him.

After the murder of George Floyd, Marisa Del Pino and Jennifer Macon knew that more had to be done to combat systemic racism. Together, they pitched the idea of creating an Equity and Justice Initiative with the goal of understanding and confronting issues of systemic racism so that all students on campus can thrive in a learning environment where equity and justice prevail. Grover Cleveland Charter High School's principal, Cindy Duong supported the plan and established a team in August 2020 to carry out a three-year plan of action.

Teachers created the In Lak'Ech (You Are My Other Me) Committee to create advisory lessons on topics such as allyship BLM, ABAR (Anti-Bias Anti-Racism), activism, public safety, and more. 

Facing History students share key learnings and ideas with students from both Southern and Northern California, from various ethnic, cultural and economic backgrounds. 

The “dynamic duo,” Katy M. and Francia G., have excelled academically and worked diligently to not allow their educational disabilities to limit their education in any way, shape, or form.

This year, Esperanza College Prep graduates its first ever senior class! The Senior Memory Committee — Evi A., Gianella C., Esbeydi G., Brianna C., Mail G., Allison C., Maria G. —stepped up to plan, coordinate, and execute activities to mark this historical graduation.

Ms. Guillaume has been an Upstander in the Valor Academy High School school community by volunteering to lead in-person small groups this Spring 2020.

Throughout distance learning, Abraham has sought to make learning more accessible to his peers. He has taken it upon himself to organize study groups, focusing on students who he knows are struggling and looking for additional support.

The SJLAM Teen Court Club participated in three court cases this year via Zoom. The impact on the defendant is sometimes quite evident at the trial itself. The impact on the families involved will be apparent over time. There is also impact for the Teen Court jurors - helping someone get on the right path is a feeling that is immeasurable.

As the African American Student Achievement (AASA) Lead Teacher, Mr. Richards. has founded numerous AASA support groups, events, interventions and celebrations for African American students this year.