By Vanessa Vizard, Vizard Marketing & PR for CalKids
Contra Costa, CA — Contra Costa County families welcoming a new baby can also celebrate another milestone: their child’s very first scholarship. Through the California Kids Investment and Development Savings Program (CalKIDS), every child born in the state on or after July 1, 2022, automatically has a CalKIDS Scholarship Account waiting in their name — including more than $2 million in scholarship funds set aside for children in Contra Costa County alone.
CalKIDS is the nation’s largest children’s development account program, designed to support college and career training. For newborns and young children, the state invests up to $175 in a CalKIDS Scholarship Account:
$100 for being born in California (babies born July 1, 2023, or later; $25 for those born between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023)
$25 extra when parents claim the account online
$50 extra for linking the account to a ScholarShare 529 College Savings Plan
That’s up to $175 already invested in a child’s future, long before applications, admissions essays, or financial aid forms come into play.
“At First 5 California, we recognize that supporting healthy development begins with a commitment to ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive,” said Jackie Thu-Huong Wong, Executive Director of First 5 California. “CalKIDS is a powerful way to show families that their child’s future matters from the very beginning.”
With August, September, and October among the most common birth months in California, thousands of families are becoming newly eligible for a CalKIDS Scholarship. It’s a timely opportunity for parents to take an easy first step that can grow into a lifelong advantage for their child’s education.
How to Claim Your Baby’s Scholarship
Claiming is quick, easy, and free at CalKIDS.org. Parents and guardians just need three pieces of information:
The county where their child was born
Their child’s date of birth
The 13-digit Local Registration Number (LRN) on the birth certificate, or the unique CalKIDS code mailed to their home
Once claimed, families can log in anytime to view balances, link a ScholarShare 529 Account, and learn how funds can be used. Eligible expenses include tuition and fees, required books and supplies, and computer equipment at accredited higher education institutions nationwide.
“I appreciate the forward thinking of CalKIDS by investing in the education of our next generation! Starting to save for college early will pay dividends in the long run,” said Contra Costa parent Joshua Tan.
Small Actions Make a Big Difference
Research shows that children with even small savings for higher education are three times more likely to attend college and four times more likely to graduate. Education is also one of the most powerful tools to break the cycle of poverty — a college degree can nearly double lifetime earnings. By giving every child in California a first scholarship, CalKIDS brings that opportunity to families from day one and makes the path to higher education more attainable for millions.
Across California, CalKIDS is working with hospitals, county offices, and community partners like United Ways of California to ensure families know about this opportunity from the very beginning.
“Every child deserves the chance to dream big, and that starts from the moment they are born. CalKIDS is helping families of newborns begin saving for education and career training right away. United Ways of California is proud to support this effort, which aligns with our work to expand economic mobility and opportunity across the state,” said Mandy Nand, Associate Director of Economic Mobility, United Ways of California. “United Ways of California is thrilled to support CalKIDS. By providing funds to every newborn, California is giving families peace of mind and an important financial foundation for their child’s future. This effort reflects our mission to help families build stability and opportunity from the very start of life.”
Since its launch in 2022, CalKIDS has become the largest child development account program in the country. In addition to newborns, CalKIDS also created accounts for over 4 million public school students, accounting for more than 5 million children total with CalKIDS Scholarship Accounts and $2 billion invested. More than 700,000 families have claimed their scholarships, turning possibility into action.
Families can learn more and claim their baby’s first scholarship today at CalKIDS.org.
About CalKIDS: The California Kids Investment and Development Savings Program (CalKIDS) is the nation’s largest child development account program, providing scholarships for higher education. Administered by the ScholarShare Investment Board, and Chaired by State Treasurer Fiona Ma, CPA, the program is designed to promote the pursuit of higher education statewide by empowering families to build assets, nurture savings habits, and raise their educational aspirations. Eligible public school students can receive CalKIDS Scholarships worth up to $1,500 and every child born in California on or after July 1, 2022, is awarded a CalKIDS Scholarship worth up to $175, ensuring more families have the resources needed to support their children’s education. To learn more, visit CalKIDS.org.
Will subcontract with Antioch Chamber of Commerce Foundation
By Juliet V. Casey Director of Marketing, Los Medanos College
PITTSBURG, Calif. – Contra Costa County selected Los Medanos College (LMC) to lead a $1 million initiative aimed at strengthening the nonprofit sector in East Contra Costa County. The East County Nonprofit Capacity Building Program, approved by the Contra Costa Community College District Board of Trustees this month, aims to develop future nonprofit leaders and to expand organizational effectiveness across the region.
The initiative will serve communities including Bay Point, Pittsburg, Antioch, Oakley, Brentwood, Byron, Discovery Bay, Knightsen and Bethel Island. LMC was chosen for its proven ability to deliver high-quality education and workforce development programs tailored to community needs.
LMC President Pamela Ralson said the college is eager to move forward, having worked over the past year to create more learning opportunities to support nonprofits. The next step will be to establish the educational programming for the initiative, which runs through Oct. 31, 2028.
Ralston recognized local leaders for their foresight in supporting the initiative.
“County Supervisors, and Supervisors Diane Burgis and Shanelle Scales-Preston in particular, see the value of developing and training future leaders across the nonprofit landscape in our area,” she said. “LMC is proud to be a partner in that effort.”
Contra Costa County Supervisor Diane Burgis said she is grateful for all the community partners who collaborated on the initiative.
“My goal is for this to help train the current and next generation of nonprofit leaders in East County and help all small- and medium-sized nonprofits succeed,” she said.
The initiative features:
Educational programming: Fee-based seminars and free workshops on nonprofit management, plus academic courses that stack toward certificates and degrees.
Mini-grants: Funding for paid internships and capacity-building projects, with priority given to organizations serving low- to moderate-income and historically underserved communities.
Leadership development: A cohort program for mid- to senior-level nonprofit staff, offering executive skills, mentorship, and peer networking.
Nonprofit Resource Hub: A collaborative space for nonprofit entrepreneurship and shared learning.
“Building capacity among East Contra Costa County nonprofits is not simply a ‘good idea,’ it is necessary for ensuring sustainability and a steady flow of services to our most in-need constituents those nonprofits serve,” Contra Costa County Supervisor Shanelle Scales-Preston said. “We could not think of a more appropriate strategic partner than Los Medanos College to work collaboratively in this endeavor.”
LMC will subcontract with the Antioch Chamber of Commerce Foundation to manage the project, including hiring a dedicated project manager and convening an advisory group of nonprofit leaders and curriculum experts. The chamber has long advocated for local businesses and nonprofit organizations, which unlike other businesses are not aiming to make a profit, rather they use money for the public good, said Jim Becker, incoming board chair for the Antioch Chamber of Commerce.
“Nonprofits make up 20% of the local economy, and they run just like other businesses. They need HR, financial and legal compliance,” he said. “It’s really exciting to partner with LMC to provide greater and broader access to nonprofit business education.”
About Los Medanos College (LMC): LMC is one of three colleges in the Contra Costa Community College District serving the East Contra Costa County community. Established in 1974, LMC has earned federal designations as a Minority-Serving and Hispanic-Serving institution. It offers award-winning transfer and career-technical programs, support services, and diverse academic opportunities in an inclusive learning environment. With exceptional educators, innovative curriculum, growing degree and certificate offerings, and state-of-the-art facilities, the college prepares students to succeed in their educational pursuits, in the workforce, and beyond. LMC’s Pittsburg Campus is located on 120 acres bordering Antioch, with an additional education center in Brentwood. For more information visit www.losmedanos.edu.
California test scores show students still struggle with learning loss five years after the Covid pandemic.
Students improved by 1.8 percentage points in math and English language arts last school year, the largest year-over-year increase since before the pandemic.
Despite increases, serious equity gaps persist.
Science scores were the only ones to return to pre-pandemic levels
Five years after the Covid pandemic closed schools and pushed students into a year of distance learning, California test scores show that — despite increases — students are still struggling with learning loss.
During the 2024-25 school year, the number of students who were advanced or proficient in math and English language arts improved by 1.8 percentage points in each subject — the largest year-over-year increase since before the Covid pandemic, according to Smarter Balanced test scores released Thursday. Science scores increased by 2 percentage points.
“There is greater progress this year than we had last year,” said State Board of Education President Linda Darling-Hammond. “Gains in ELA and science are about four times the level of the gains last year, and the gains in math are about twice the level of the gains last year. So, it feels like there is some momentum toward improvement.”
New Titles for Four Levels of Achievement: Advanced, Proficient, Developing or Minimal
The titles of the four levels of achievement are different this year. In March, the California State Board of Education chose new titles to describe how students perform on standardized tests, including the Smarter Balanced tests.
Students will now be labeled as advanced, proficient, developing or minimal to describe their knowledge and skill level.
Students who are advanced, proficient and developing are all working within their grade level band, while students who are at the minimal level are not consistently showing grade-level standards, said State Board of Education President Linda Darling-Hammond.
“Proficient is a pretty high bar because that is very thorough mastery of grade-level standards and advanced is very sophisticated,” she said.
Smarter Balanced tests are given to students in third through eighth grades and in 11th grade as part of the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP), which also includes the English Language Proficiency Assessment.
CAASPP test scores for California nearly 1,000 school districts and 10,000 schools are available on EdSource’s searchable database.
Despite the improvement at all grade levels, the number of students who were advanced or proficient in English language arts last year only increased to 48.8%, 37.3% in math, and 32.7% in science.
That wasn’t enough to bring scores up to pre-pandemic levels when more than half of California students, 51.7%, met or exceeded state standards in English language arts, and 39.7% met or exceeded state standards in math.
Science scores were the only ones to return to pre-pandemic levels, with 2.8% more students scoring proficient or better last year compared to 2018-19.
Equity isn’t improving fast enough
“I think certainly these scores are headed in the right direction,” said Christopher Nellum, executive director of EdTrust-West, an education advocacy organization. “I would argue, at the wrong speed if we’re serious about equity … we need double-digit gains, not incremental gains.”
The California School Boards Association is also calling for a state plan to close the achievement gap that includes increased funding for school districts with a large population of high-needs students, as well as increased accountability and transparency from the state.
“We shouldn’t let a point or two in a positive direction detract from the fact that millions of California students are still being underserved and those students are disproportionately concentrated in certain demographic groups that have been lacking for decades,” said Troy Flint, chief information officer at the CSBA.
Nation’s third graders have similar scores
California’s third-grade reading scores are similar to most other states in the country, which have grown about 1% a year between 2022 and 2025, said David Scarlett Wakelyn, a partner with Upswing Labs, a nonprofit that works with school districts to improve reading instruction. California has had 0.7% annual growth in reading scores in those years, Wakelyn said.
Third grade is considered a crucial year for students to begin reading to learn, a key indicator for academic success. Last school year, 44.21% of California third graders were proficient or advanced in reading. The year before that, it was 42.8%.
Only Louisiana has returned to pre-pandemic levels for third-grade reading, Wakelyn said. The state, which doesn’t use the Smarter Balanced test, has high-quality curriculum and instructional materials in use across the state, he said.
More English learners are proficient
Slightly more English learners tested as proficient on the English Language Proficiency Assessment for California (ELPAC) than last year. Students who speak a language other than English at home and have not yet achieved proficiency in English are classified as English learners and must take the ELPAC every year until they achieve proficiency.
The test measures proficiency in reading, writing, speaking and listening in English, and has four levels of proficiency — “beginning to develop,” “somewhat developed,” “moderately developed,” and “well developed.”
The percentage of English learners with “well developed” English went up from 14.6% in 2024 to 15.5% in 2025, while the percentage of students at the other levels stayed relatively the same. In 2023, however, 16.5% of English learners achieved the “well developed” level of English.
Students’ progress on the ELPAC is important because once students are reclassified as “fluent English proficient,” they generally do better than native English speakers on English and math tests. For example, 60.2% of former English learners who are now considered proficient met or exceeded the standard in English language arts in 2025, compared to 53.3% of native English speakers.
Martha Hernandez, executive director of Californians Together, an organization that advocates for English learners statewide, said she’s happy that more students have progressed to “well developed” English on the ELPAC, but that the state needs to help more students learn English.
“We need to continue investing in professional development focused on comprehensive English Language Development, especially integrated ELD for all teachers across all subjects. I think that’s critical,” Hernandez said, adding that she was hopeful that the state’s new initiatives to teach reading and math with more focus on including instruction for learning English will help students.
She also said English learners need more access to bilingual programs, since research shows students have stronger outcomes in English when they are enrolled in bilingual programs.
Black and Latino students make progress
The number of Black and Latino students who met or exceeded the standard in English language arts, math and science grew somewhat, with the percentage of students in both groups increasing between 2% and 2.4 % over the last year.
Still, the overall percentage of both Black and Latino students meeting or exceeding the standards remained low, compared to white and Asian students. Only about a third (32.8%) of Black students met or exceeded the standard in English, and only about a fifth (20.1%) did so in math.
Among Latino students, 38.8% met or exceeded the standard in English and a quarter (25.7%) did so in math. In comparison, 61.8% of white students met or exceeded standards in English, and 51% in math, and among Asian students, 74.36% met or exceeded standards in English and 70.3% in math.
Students from all groups are still below pre-pandemic levels in both English and math.
“I don’t get why we are not outraged when two-thirds of any subgroup is not meeting proficiency in core areas like reading and math,” said Tyrone Howard, professor of education at UCLA. He said that state and school districts need to examine what may be helping some Black and Latino students and do more of it.
“I think we know to a large degree what works — high-dosage tutoring, that Black students have access to highly trained, culturally competent teachers, that we have the appropriate language supports for multilingual students,” said Howard. “We just haven’t been committed to it.”
Travis Bristol, associate professor of education at UC Berkeley and faculty director for the Center for Research on Expanding Educational Opportunity, said the small growth among Black and Latino students’ test scores should be celebrated.
“The fact that we see increases in Black and Latinx students suggests, at least to me, that some of the state’s strategies to improve outcomes for these students appear to be working,” Bristol said.
He said successful strategies include a state grant program that provides $25,000 incentive awards for national board-certified teachers in schools with large populations of low-income students, English learners or foster youth, as well as the community schools program, with wrap-around health and other services in schools.
“Because they’re paying off, we need to double down and continue to invest so we are not at a place where only a third of Black students meet or exceed the standard in English language arts, or only a quarter of Latinx students meet or exceed the standard in math,” Bristol said. “No one wants that.”
Pandemic widened math gender gap
For the second school year in a row, both girls and boys improved their scores in math and English language arts. This year’s scores show that 52% of girls met or exceeded English language arts standards versus 45% for boys. In math, 35% of girls and 39% of boys met or exceeded standards.
The difference, however, is in how quickly those improvements are occurring.
Between 2022-23 and 2023-24, math scores for girls and boys improved by 0.79 and by 1.04 percentage points, respectively. In comparing the rates of improvement between 2023-24 and 2024-25, girls’ math improved by 1.59 percentage points while boys’ scores jumped by 1.9.
And in English language arts proficiency, girls improved at about the same rate as boys in 2023-24. But the test scores for the most recent school year show a shift, with girls improving by 1.63 percentage points and boys by 1.91.
Due to the difference in the pace of improvement, boys’ scores are much closer than girls to their pre-pandemic math and English scores.
A difference of a few percentage points between students might not be a big issue, “but what could be happening is that girls are interpreting that in a way that makes them feel discouraged about pursuing different types of careers,” said Ian Thacker, an associate professor of educational psychology at the University of Texas at San Antonio who previously also taught math and physics in California.
Prior to the pandemic, girls were advancing in math at such rates that they either nearly or fully closed gender gaps across California. But since the pandemic, the gap has widened. A recent analysis by the Associated Press, using data from the Stanford Education Data Archive, found that girls had higher math scores than boys in 62% of California districts in 2018-19, but in only 4% in 2023-24.
Researchers say there is no known definite reason for this shift, but theories range from higher rates of mental health challenges among girls during the pandemic to gendered differences in academic expectations for girls and boys.
A study Thacker co-authored in 2022, for example, showed differences in teachers’ beliefs about their students’ capacity to succeed in math.
“It’s more than just ‘how skilled are these students,’” Thacker said. “There’s a lot more going on beneath the surface, especially when it comes to cultural social stereotypes, kind of driving people’s self-perceptions.”
Megan Kuhfeld, director of growth modeling and data analytics for the education research company NWEA, has found California’s scores mirror national trends.
“It is important for districts to reexamine classroom dynamics and instructional practices, particularly in STEM classes. If pandemic-era shifts in behavior and teacher attention have disproportionately benefited boys in STEM classrooms, this may be contributing to the divergence we see in achievement,” Kuhfeld said.
Economically disadvantaged students make gains
Statewide, about 38% of socioeconomically disadvantaged students met or exceeded English language arts standards, up from 37% from the prior year, and just over 26% met or exceeded math standards, up from 25% from the prior year.
The socioeconomically disadvantaged subgroup includes students who meet one of eight criteria, including those eligible for free or reduced-priced meals, experiencing homelessness, enrolled in school while at juvenile hall, and eligible for foster care.
While their test scores remain lower than pre-pandemic levels, they have improved year-over-year, with the most recent test scores showing that socioeconomically disadvantaged students are less than 1 percentage point away from their 2018-19 English language proficiency levels and 1.29 percentage points below their math proficiency levels.
What stands out is that the rate of improvement slowed down this year, particularly in math.
During 2023-24, this student group improved by 1.54 percentage points in English and by over 2 percentage points in math. The most recent scores show they improved by 1.4 in English and by 1.2 in math.
Several of the students included in this subgroup have some of the highest rates of chronic absenteeism and often live in unstable environments, at times moving repeatedly due to changes in foster placement or inability to get to school on time because of inconsistent transportation.
Local context is critical, noted Kuhfeld. “State and national data provide helpful starting points, but the real value comes from using those data to guide deeper, community-level inquiry into which students need the most support and where resources can have the greatest impact.”
It’s important to be aware that a focus on proficiency rates could “obscure meaningful trends,” she added.
“Given what we know about how achievement dropped off for lower-performing students during the pandemic, paying attention to those students is critical,” Kuhfeld said. “Without that level of detail, we risk missing the students most in need of support.”
We are prepared to have some great resources and services provided for our 13th Annual Stuff The Bus school supply giveaway on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. Join us at the Contra Costa Event Park (fairgrounds) on W. 10th Street in Antioch.
Please REGISTER
If you have/know of a great (preferably FREE) resource or have beneficial info that you would love to share with the community!!
The QR code below will also give you access to information including a volunteer sign-up form as well as ways to donate to this event!! Please share
For families looking to register, registration is now open. You will see that information pop up via this link: https://linktr.ee/4evermefoundation
UPDATE: Claryssa Wilson, a dedicated Antioch High School alumna, community leader, and founder of the renowned annual event, is proud to announce the return of the 13th Annual Stuff the Bus School Supply Giveaway, an event that has become a cornerstone of community support and youth empowerment in East Contra Costa County. Since its inception when she was just in the 6th grade, Claryssa has been committed to ensuring that every student, regardless of socioeconomic background, has access to the essential tools needed for academic success.
This year’s event is scheduled for Saturday, August 2, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will be held at the Contra Costa County Event Park (Fairgrounds), located at 1201 W. 10th Street in Antioch, CA. Over the past twelve years, this inspiring initiative has provided backpacks filled with school supplies to over 40,000 students across Antioch, Pittsburg, and neighboring communities. It has grown into a collaborative effort with numerous local organizations and sponsors, including the Golden State Warriors, the Antioch Schools Education Foundation, Adonal Foyle’s Kerosene Lamp Foundation, and many others who share a common vision of fostering educational opportunity and community resilience.
“No student should face a new school year without the basic supplies they need to succeed,” said Claryssa Wilson, founder and host of the event. “Our mission is rooted in the belief that every child, regardless of their circumstances, deserves the chance to learn, grow, and excel. By providing these supplies, we’re helping to level the playing field and inspire hope for a brighter future.”
This year’s event is expected to reach and serve thousands of students, many of whom are vulnerable and face significant barriers such as foster care, homelessness, or economic hardship. The event will feature an array of family-friendly activities, vendor booths, and entertainment designed to bring joy and support to families. Children and parents will have the opportunity to enjoy performances by Jordan Orosco, known as The Mathemagician, whose engaging magic and math demonstrations foster a love of learning. The event will also include a Stepz Dance Fitness segment, interactive games, resource tables, and much more to create a festive, supportive atmosphere.
One of the new highlights this year is a full-service Hair Salon, offering FREE haircuts, braiding styles, washes, blow-drys, and silk presses. This service aims to boost confidence and help families prepare for the upcoming school year. Services will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, and registration is required.
In addition to the giveaways and entertainment, the event provides a platform for community organizations, local businesses, and educational resources to connect with families, share information, and foster ongoing support. The event’s overarching goal is to create a sense of unity, hope, and empowerment for families, especially those most in need.
All media outlets and press representatives are warmly invited to cover the event. To coordinate interviews with Claryssa Wilson or for additional information, please contact:
The Stuff the Bus School Supply Giveaway is organized by the 4ever Me Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded by Claryssa Wilson in 2012. Over the past decade, the Foundation has dedicated itself to supporting foster children, unhoused youth, and children facing homelessness, providing vital supplies, mentorship, and community support. To date, the Foundation has served more than 40,000 students and continues to expand its outreach and impact.
All donations, sponsorships, and gifts to the 4ever Me Foundation and the Stuff the Bus School Supply Giveaway are tax-deductible and vital to maintaining and growing this impactful community effort. Contributions can be made through the Foundation’s website or by contacting the organization directly.
Join us this August in making a tangible difference—helping empower students to succeed academically and build a foundation for lifelong achievement. Your support ensures that no child is left behind because of a lack of basic school supplies. Together, we can create a stronger, more resilient community where every student has the tools to thrive.
Antioch Unified’s Interim Superintendent Dr. Matt Wayne’s last day was Monday, June 30, 2025. Photo source: LinkedIn
Lists key accomplishments
The Antioch Unified School District (AUSD) proudly acknowledges the leadership and impact of Interim Superintendent Dr. Matt Wayne, who concludes his service to the district today. Dr. Wayne’s tenure brought much-needed clarity, stability, and student-centered direction to a district undergoing significant transition.
Dr. Wayne assumed leadership in January 2025 during a period of instability and immediately established structures that strengthened governance, improved communication, and prioritized educational equity. As noted by Board President Antonio Hernandez, “Dr. Wayne stepped in with clarity, compassion, and purpose. He reestablished trust and direction among the Board and brought renewed focus to student outcomes and systemic improvement.” Dr. Wayne helped shift the culture in Antioch, setting a different tone from the beginning — one of accountability, collaboration, and focus on what matters most: students. His work has laid a strong foundation for continued progress.”
Key accomplishments during Dr. Wayne’s tenure include:
• Collaborating with the Board of Education to engage in governance workshops, improve district communication, and begin reestablishing a foundation of trust
• Strengthening efforts to improve literacy and support professional learning communities in schools
• Implementing clearer, more transparent budget and governance practices
• Advancing equity-focused initiatives including work tied to the NCUST audit and special education services
• Supporting the launch of a student board member policy for the first time in district history
Dr. Wayne also published a Leadership Transition Report that outlines progress made and identifies key opportunities for continued growth. Titled “A District with Promise, A Future with Purpose,” the report highlights strengths to celebrate, opportunities to embrace, and the importance of authentic collaboration moving forward.
Telephone 925.779.7600 Fax 925.779.7515
“It has been a true honor to serve the Antioch community,” Dr. Wayne shared. “This is a district filled with passionate educators, resilient students, and a community that cares deeply. I believe in the district’s potential and am confident in the foundation we have laid.”
As AUSD welcomes incoming Superintendent Dr. Darnise Williams on July 1, the district remains committed to building on the progress and positive momentum established under Dr. Wayne’s leadership. His final day in the position was Monday, June 30, 2025.
For more information or to request a copy of the Leadership Transition Report, please contact the Superintendent’s Office at (925) 779-7500.
Virtuous Voices Singers (left to right) Ivan Stewart, Lydia Stewart, Elise Culberson, Roma Desilva and Mya King perform at the Brentwood Juneteenth Festival June 19, 2025. Academy Founder, Tiffany Stewart with her students. Photos by Virtuous Voices
The City of Brentwood joyfully celebrated its Second Annual Juneteenth Festival this past Thursday with a powerful showcase of culture, unity, and artistic expression. Opening the event with a moving performance was Antioch-based Virtuous Voices Music Academy, whose singers delivered a heartfelt tribute to freedom through song.
As the first act of the day, Virtuous Voices set an inspiring tone for the festival, reminding attendees of the power of music to uplift, connect, and reflect on our shared history. Their performance underscored the importance of celebrating freedom – especially in today’s world where unity and expression remain essential.
The Virtuous Voices Singers performing at the event were Ivan Stewart, Lydia Stewart, Elise Culberson, Roma Desilva, and Mya King.
Virtuous Voices Music Academy, known for cultivating confidence and creativity through vocal performance and music theory, was honored to be part of this meaningful community event.
“We are so proud of our young singers,” said Tiffany Stewart, founder of Virtuous Voices Music Academy, a vocal coach and Music Theory Teacher. “To open a celebration as important as Juneteenth is a true honor. Our students sang not only with skill, but with heart.”
The Juneteenth Festival in Brentwood continues to grow as a cherished local tradition, commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans and celebrating Black culture, resilience, and excellence.
The 151 members of the Dozier-Libbey Medical High School Class of 2025 celebrate, some by tossing their caps into the air. All photos by Selena Cedano unless noted.
By Allen D. Payton
The 151 graduates of the Dozier-Libbey Medical High School Class of 2025 celebrated their commencement on Thursday evening, June 5, 2025, inside Wolverines Stadium at Deer Valley High School, along family, friends, faculty, staff and school board trustees. Entering to the traditional sounds of “Pomp and Circumstance” the class was led onto the field by Principal Blair Wilkins.
DLMHS Principal Blair Wilkins leads the processional onto the field at Wolverines Stadium and class members wait to be seated Thursday evening, June 5, 2025.
The Presentation of the Colors by the U.S. Navy Color Guard was followed by the singing of the National Anthem by three of the graduates, Gabriel Fuentes-Carrillo, Hannah Chung and Shari Bengco. ASB President Chloe Liang then led her classmates in the Pledge of Allegiance.
ASB President Chloe Liang leads in reciting the National Anthem as AUSD Director of Student Support Services Tim Cooper participates (left). Video screenshot. The U.S. Navy Color Guard presents the Colors and Hannah Chung, Shari Bengco and Gabriel Fuentes-Carrillo perform the National Anthem.
Wilkins welcomed all those in attendance and introduced Antioch Unified School District Board President Antonio Hernandez, Vice President Mary Rocha and Trustees Dee Brown and Olga Cobos-Smith, and district leadership. Hernandez then shared his thoughts about his own experience as a Dozier-Libbey graduate.
Principal Wilkins spoke to the graduates followed by School Board President, and Dozier-Libbey alumni, Antonio Hernandez, as teacher Lisa Godinez (left) and Trustees Dee Brown and Olga Cobos-Smith (right) listen.
Student Speakers
Saryah Tokhay and Valedictorians Johnross Rayos and Jessica Rodriguez spoke to the graduates.
Tokhay spoke of “Hope” quoting Emily Dickinson. “That bird, hope, has been with us all along. It sang when we were little first graders. It sang when our hands and knees shook during our first high school presentation.”
She then spoke of several teachers scheduling tests “all in the same week. It was like an academic ambush.”
“It sang quietly in the background reminding us that we’ve made it this far,” Tokhay continued speaking about hope.
Student speakers included Saryah Tokhay (left) and Valedictorians Jessica Rodriguez and Johnross Rayos.
She then mentioned preparing for her final school project and some inspiring words from her younger, 12-year-old sister. “She said that to remind me of this wild, emotional, in-between moment is something I’ll miss someday, that I’ll want to feel this moment again.”
“She said it to help me understand that instead of dreading an unknown future, I should live in this moment and let that little bird’s quiet and steady voice sing of hope,” Tokhay stated.
She then thanked the teachers, families and her friends.
“The bird still sings. Congratulations, Class of 2025,” Tokhay concluded.
The Class of 2025 listen to the speakers and graduates line up in the queue for their diplomas, guided by members of the Honor Guard from the Junior Class.
Together, Rodriguez and Rayos took to the podium and shared their thoughts, as well.
Rodriguez spoke of their time in school together saying, “Four years ago we were graduating middle school, not in person but behind a screen” referring to their experience during COVID. She compared that to “walking through our small campus in our scrubs.”
“Suddenly things got real,” she continued. “We became more thoughtful, culturally aware. Group projects redefined how we work together and communicate.”
“Then, junior year came crashing in more demanding than we expected with new AP classes and heavier workloads,” Rodriguez shared. “Then we began senior year, the year we assumed would drag on but actually went by in a blink.”
“We became involved in our community, discovering the impact we could have and realizing we were truly growing up,” she stated. “Along the path we made priceless friendships. High school taught us a final lesson. It’s in our hands to pave our own road, create our future. I hope all of us remember that we were forged into one family…the changes and contributions we make in the future will impact all of us. Perfection was never the goal, progress was.”
“Your strength is only limited by the boundaries your mind places on your heart. Break through them, We did it and now the next chapter of our lives is beginning,” Rodriguez concluded.
Rayos implored his classmates to remember the words, “Good enough. You are good enough.”
He encouraged the graduates to reflect on their time at Dozier-Libbey. “You are more than enough.”
“You are more than qualified to become a nurse, a doctor, an engineer or whatever you decide to pursue in your career,” Rayos stated. “Think of today’s ceremony as the beginning of another journey…that will mold you into something amazing and fulfilling; a journey worthy of infinite memories and a worthy story you can pass on to your future families.”
“And please remember, you will always be enough,” he concluded.
Many of the graduates decorated their caps with personal messages.
Wilkins offered his first graduation speech as principal saying, “I would like to thank you for welcoming me to our school community. Congratulations on earning your high school diploma, a major milestone that you will carry with you for the rest of your life. Each of you before me has a story and your next chapter is just about to start.”
“You are prepared to face life’s challenges because you are a graduate of Dozier-Libbey Medical High School,” he continued. “I would like to wish you luck.”
Wilkins then offered “key pieces of advice that I’ve learned since graduating 26 years ago from this very field,” referring to his own time at Deer Valley High School.
Video screenshots.
“Continue to advance yourself through education,” he stated. “Education is the key that will unlock doors and your growth as you continue. Surround yourself with good people. With good people, working as a team, you can accomplish anything you set your mind to.”
“Don’t forget about the community that helped raise the person who you are,” Wilkinson encouraged the class. “Strong communities need strong leaders like you.”
“You are not just the future of America, you are the proof that all people, from all walks of life can come together and be stronger as one,” Wilkinson concluded.
Interim Superintendent Dr. Matt Wayne then offered the official Acceptance of the Class of 2025, informing them they had completed all the state and district requirements to graduate.
“Henceforth you are to be considered high school graduates and alumni of Dozier-Libbey Medical High School. Congratulations,” he stated to cheers from the class and audience.
The diplomas were then distributed by the school board trustees as the names were read by DLMHS teacher Lisa Godinez.
Senior Class President Talia Major leads her fellow graduates in the turning of their tassels. (Left – Video screenshot)
Senior Class President Talia Major then led her fellow classmates in the turning of the tassels saying, “The tassel turning is meant to signify the closing of one chapter and the opening of another. As we close our chapter at Dozier-Libbey one specific song comes to mind. One Direction once said, ‘Good-byes are bittersweet, but it’s not the end. I’ll see your face again.’ Since this is our last time together I have no doubt in my mind that we’ll all go on to success.”
That was followed by several of the graduates tossing their caps into the air to celebrate.
A few members of the Antioch High Class of 2025 graduates toss their caps into the air to celebrate at Eells Stadium on Wednesday morning, June 11, 2025. Photos by Allen D. Payton
By Allen D. Payton
The 340 graduates of the Antioch High School Class of 2025 – smaller than in recent years – were celebrated inside Eells Stadium on Wednesday morning, June 11, 2025. They entered the field to the traditional sound of Pomp and Circumstance. The Presentation of Colors was provided by the U.S. Marines Color Guard and the National Anthem, known as “The Star-Spangled Banner” was played over the loudspeakers as all in attendance stood at attention out of respect to begin the ceremony.
Principal John Jimno and ASB President Fifita Grewe lead the Class of 2025 into Eells Stadium for the graduation ceremony.
Fifita Grewe, Associated Student Body President “for the second year in a row” – she pointed out, was the first to speak to the graduates and audience.
“To all my family and friends, and boyfriend, of course, thank you for being my biggest cheerleaders. I love you all,” she stated. “We are celebrating the beginning of a new journey. High school was definitely not easy. But with the support…I was able to push through.”
The U.S. Marines Color Guard and ASB President Fifita Grewe stand at attention for the National Anthem before speaking to her fellow graduates.
“Don’t wait until all the good times are just good memories. Enjoy them now,” Grewe encouraged her fellow classmates. “It’s never a good-bye. It’s see you later.”
Principal Jimno speaks to the graduates.
Principal John Jimno welcomed everyone to the commencement ceremony and introduced the other student speakers.
Salutatorian Grace Fung spoke of her grandmother who did not get an education because it was not allowed for females.
She also spoke of her parents who are both deaf “living in a silent world.”
Many of the graduates decorated their caps with special messages.
Fung then asked her classmates, “Who’s ready to jump into the end portal with me?” making a reference to the Minecraft online game.
“The game doesn’t end here,” she stated. “I thought high school was the end game. Life is not a linear path. Life doesn’t end here. This is only the first of many…battles we will face.”
“Twenty years from now you’ll be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than the things you did to,” Fung encouraged the graduates. “This is only the beginning.”
Class Salutatorian Grace Fung (left) and Valedictorian Zack Gregson (right) share their thoughts with the graduates.
Class Valedictorian, Zack Gregson, spoke next, saying, “You all challenged me to grow as a student but also as a person. The connections I made at this school made it more memorable.”
He then spoke briefly in Spanish which was met with a round of applause.
“Over the past four years we’ve changed both externally and in character,” he continued. “We’ve been fortunate enough to call this school our home.”
“Discipline was the quiet force that brought us all to this stage today. It’s the difference between wishing and doing,” Gregson stated. “We’re here because we kept going. That’s something to be proud of. Let’s take the same discipline and courage with us. Keep showing up. Keep moving forward.”
He spoke in Spanish, again and then ended with, “Congratulations, everyone. We earned this. We’ve already proven we could do hard things. Now let’s do great ones.”
The graduates received their diplomas from School Board Trustee Dee Brown (left) and Board President Antonio Hernandez (right) on stage at Eells Stadium.
Principal Jimno then offered his thoughts saying, “It is an honor and privilege to stand before this graduating class. It’s been so fun to watch you grow and come together as a class.”
“One thing that stands out about this class is your service to others,” he stated. “You have truly inspired me.”
Graduates celebrate receiving their diplomas on Wednesday, July 11, 2025.
Interim Antioch Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Matt Wayne then offered the official acceptance of the Class of 2025, having met all the state and district requirements for graduation.
Antioch School Board Area 5 Trustee Mary Rocha offered a few words, as well, and reminded the graduates, “you’ll always be a Panther and bleed black and gold.”
The class members then received their diplomas from Trustee Dee Brown and Board President Antonio Hernandez as they crossed the stage to the cheers of friends and family.
Senior Class President Aeowynne Magototo offered Closing Remarks and led her classmates in the turning of the tassels. She’ll be attending UC Davis in the fall.
The AHS Class of 2025 graduates turn their tassels under the leadership of Class President Aeowynne Magototo.
“Wow. High school is over on a random Wednesday morning,” she said with a chuckle.
Magtoto spoke of her parents, “Emigrating me and my sisters to America” and then spoke briefly in her native Filipino language of Tagalog.
“I want you to take this chance to reflect,” she continued. Referring to the graduates’ shared experience during COVID Magtoto said, “We went from online screens to wearing masks. We were lucky to have all four years on campus.”
“Life isn’t a fairy tale. Tender bruises, growing pains have shaped me into the person I am today,” she stated.
“We are young and wild. There’s nothing stopping us,” Magtoto implored her classmates. “Don’t forget to live in the moment of ‘alwaysness’. We’ve waited our entire lives for this moment.”
She then led the graduates in the turning of the tassels on their graduation caps signifying the completion of the ceremony. A very few tossed their caps into the air to celebrate, and they exited the stadium to the sounds of Kool & The Gang’s “Celebration”, as family and friends met their graduates on the field and surrounding Mike Hurd Track.
