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The Claremont High School Speech and Debate Team is celebrating an exciting season after earning the league champion title and qualifying several students to compete in individual events at the California State Tournament. The team’s latest success continues the program's longstanding tradition of excellence and reflects both the talent of its students and the strong culture of support they have built together. After securing the league championship, team members celebrated the moment with treats provided by team parents, taking time to recognize the hard work and dedication that led to the accomplishment. Team captain Nina Wu said that sense of support plays a major role in the team’s success, sharing, “The amount of out-of-practice support and background work some captains do is truly inspiring. Novices know they can always ask anyone for help, and that open environment definitely shapes success.”

Wu, who qualified for the state tournament in Lincoln-Douglas debate, said the achievement was especially rewarding because of the effort behind it. “Qualifying for the state tournament felt exciting,” she said. “It’s nice to see the fruits of your hard work pay off, like the late night case edits and endless practice drills.” She also described what draws her to Lincoln-Douglas debate, explaining, “I love LD so much because it forces you to think about policies like U.S. military intervention through the lens of philosophy, instead of just the cost-benefit analysis that other debate events use.” As students prepare for state competition in their individual events, Wu said one of the most meaningful parts of debate is the opportunity to keep improving. “Finding joy in the process itself—no matter if it’s a win or loss—is the most important lesson debate has taught me,” she said. “There’s always room to grow, and I think that’s what makes debate so fun and rewarding.”

Sycamore Elementary School celebrated Read Across America with a joyful week of activities centered on this year’s theme, “Celebrating a Nation of Diverse Readers.” The campus-wide celebration highlighted the importance of reading, the joy that books bring, and stories that encourage kindness and connection. As part of the week, Sycamore’s Student Leaders helped plan special activities for their peers, including a memorable outdoor “Books and Blankets” shared reading time that brought together students, teachers, and family members to read side by side. The event created a warm and welcoming atmosphere on campus and reflected Sycamore’s commitment to building community through literacy.

Dual enrollment is helping San Antonio High School students take meaningful steps toward their futures by earning college credit while still in high school. Through these courses, students are not only getting a head start on college requirements, but also developing the skills and confidence needed to succeed after graduation. Lisette Mancilla, Clinical Therapist and Guidance Counselor at San Antonio High School, said the impact goes far beyond academics. “Dual enrollment removes the fear of the unknown,” she said. “Students get to experience college in a supportive, familiar environment. It helps them build confidence, learn how college works, and realize that they belong in those spaces.” Mancilla added that once students begin succeeding, “students begin to see themselves differently — not as ‘not college material,’ but as capable and deserving.”

At San Antonio, Melissa Gaw teaches dual enrollment English courses that give students the chance to complete general education English requirements before they leave high school. Students in English 1000E earn both high school and college credit, and those who continue on to English 103 can complete their general education English coursework altogether. Gaw said that advantage can make a major difference for students as they begin college. “They get to dip into their major courses sooner,” she said, noting that this can help students stay motivated and focused on what they truly want to study. She also sees a transformation in how students view themselves. “They’re leaving high school with at least two college courses under their belt,” Gaw said. “I feel like they’re walking into college with more confidence because they’ve done it.” For many students, that early success helps college feel possible in a way it may not have before.

That growing sense of belief is one of the most powerful outcomes of dual enrollment. Mancilla recalled students who entered her class unsure of themselves and left with a completely different outlook. “I’ve had students who were nervous just enrolling in my class that ended up earning an A and proudly telling me, ‘I didn’t think I could do this,’” she said. “One student shared that passing Counseling 120 Managing Stress and Anxiety for Emotional Wellbeing was the first time they ever felt smart in school.” Gaw sees the same shift in her classroom and encourages students to take the leap. “Try it,” she said. “It allows you to try something new and get that under your belt and get that confidence.” Together, these opportunities are helping San Antonio students build skills, save time and money, and see college not as something out of reach, but as a goal they are fully capable of achieving.

Mountain View Elementary School students enjoyed a special literacy-focused experience during Read Across America Week when Ashley Tolmasoff, Children’s Librarian from the Claremont Public Library, visited Ms. Martinez-Rios’ class to share information about the many services and resources available through the public library. The visit gave students an exciting opportunity to learn more about how the library can support their love of reading beyond the school day, and made the celebration of literacy even more meaningful. To make the experience even more memorable, students also received library cards during the visit, helping them connect with books, programs, and learning opportunities in the greater community. The event was a wonderful way to promote literacy, encourage lifelong reading habits, and strengthen the connection between Mountain View Elementary School and the Claremont Public Library.

Mountain View’s Read Across America Week celebration also included special recess-time reading opportunities for its youngest students. TK and kindergarten students gathered during recess for story time with Mountain View Librarian Arianna Bustillos, who dressed as Superwoman to add extra fun and energy to the week’s festivities. Joining her was retired staff member Jory Rickman, who returned to campus dressed as a character from The Incredibles to read with students. Rickman served as a librarian at Mountain View for many years before retiring, making her visit especially meaningful for the school community. Together, the two created a joyful, memorable experience that celebrated reading, imagination, and the lasting impact of school library programs.

Claremont High School’s Jazz Band recently earned first place at the Western States Jazz Festival, an annual performance and competition event held at Upland High School that brings together student jazz ensembles from elementary school through college and community programs across Southern California and beyond. In addition to the band’s first-place finish, Azumi Cesario and Jacob Bekendam were also recognized with individual certificates, highlighting the talent and dedication of CHS musicians. Now in its 52nd year, the Western States Jazz Festival is one of the longest-running educational jazz festivals in the region and is widely respected for its tradition of performance, competition, and learning, as well as for featuring renowned guest artists each year. Congratulations to the CHS Jazz Band, Azumi Cesario, and Jacob Bekendam on this outstanding achievement.

Oakmont Elementary School has received a generous $1,000 literacy grant from the Rotary Club of Claremont in support of its Literacy Power Hour program, a targeted instructional model designed to accelerate student reading growth. The grant will help fund classroom materials, activities, and projects that strengthen literacy instruction and give students the tools they need to grow as readers. During Literacy Power Hour, two credentialed teachers work together in the classroom to provide small-group, data-driven instruction tailored to each student’s needs, with students rotating through leveled stations that offer differentiated support and enrichment. This collaborative approach maximizes instructional time, increases teacher-student engagement, and helps ensure all learners receive instruction aligned to their current skill level while remaining in the classroom environment. CUSD is grateful for the Rotary Club of Claremont’s continued partnership and generosity in supporting education and empowering Oakmont students as confident, capable readers.

Claremont High School’s Children’s Theatre brought the joy of live performance to elementary students across Claremont Unified School District this March with school-day assemblies of Curious George. Under the direction of CHS Theatre Director Mohammed Mangrio, student performers traveled to multiple elementary school sites, including Vista, Condit, Sumner Danbury, Oakmont, Sycamore, Mountain View, and Chaparral, sharing the production with younger students and creating memorable arts experiences during the school day. Supported by the Arts Advancement Grant from the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture, the performances reflected CUSD’s ongoing commitment to providing students with meaningful opportunities to experience the arts.

In addition to the daytime assemblies, CHS Thespian Troupe 2129 partnered on several after-school arts nights connected to the show at Oakmont, Mountain View, and Condit. CHS theatre students led hands-on crafts inspired by Curious George, including chef’s hats and Model Magic creations of favorite foods, giving elementary students another fun way to engage with the production. These experiences not only extended the excitement of the performances beyond the school day but also supported a key goal of the CUSD Strategic Arts Plan by creating meaningful connections between secondary and elementary students through the arts.

Condit Elementary School’s first grade students were all smiles during a beloved annual tradition as Superintendent Dr. Jim Elsasser visited campus to read Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss. For several years, each first grade class has had the special opportunity to take part in this fun visit. Students were engaged from beginning to end, listening closely, laughing along with the story, and showing their excitement as Dr. Elsasser brought the classic book to life. The joyful tradition continues to create lasting memories for Condit’s youngest readers while celebrating the fun and magic of reading together.

The Rotary Club of Claremont generously donated $3,500 to the Claremont High School girls' softball team, presenting the check to student-athletes and coaches before the team’s game on Wednesday, March 11. The team is grateful for the support, which will be used to purchase a second softball pitching machine for the program. With an additional machine, both the varsity and junior varsity teams will be able to use one during practice, creating more opportunities for skill development and strengthening training for players at both levels. CUSD is thankful to the Rotary Club of Claremont for its continued investment in Claremont students and school programs.

The Claremont Unified School District community is warmly invited to attend a special ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Zen Den at Claremont High School on Thursday, March 19, at 4 p.m. This meaningful new space reflects CUSD’s continued commitment to supporting student wellness, belonging, and mental health by providing students with a calming environment designed for reflection, connection, and care. The celebration will include remarks from district and school leaders, student participation, and a ceremonial blessing honoring the purpose of the space and the students it will serve. We hope families, staff, students, and community members will join us as we celebrate this important addition to Claremont High School and the many partners who helped bring it to life.