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Claremont High School alumnus and muralist Xiucoatl Mejia has been leaving his mark on CUSD campuses since his own days as a CHS student, and this year he is creating something truly special at Vista del Valle. As the artist leading Vista's after-school art program, Xiucoatl is painting a stunning new mural of Olympian and Vista and CHS alumna Brittany Brown, depicting her leading a group of Vista students running with a torch. True to his commitment to community-centered art, Xiucoatl designed the mural to be a collaborative experience, inviting students into every step of the creative process.

Young artists began by coloring their own paper versions of the mural's design, then picked up brushes to help bring the full-scale piece to life on campus. In a meaningful full-circle moment, Brittany Brown herself returned to Vista to spend the afternoon with students in the very place where her own journey began. She led small group conversations, teaching students about the power of breath and how focusing on it can help calm nerves in big moments, a practice she carried all the way to the Olympic stage when she won a bronze medal in the 200 meters at the 2024 Paris Olympics. While smaller groups of students worked alongside Xiucoatl on the mural, Brittany raced other students across the field just for fun, sprinting from end to end and turning the afternoon into an unforgettable experience. Vista families and community members are invited to celebrate the mural and the story behind it during a special ceremony at the Vista Track Meet on Friday, April 24, 2026, where Brittany will be on hand to share what this project means to her and to the Vista community. And here is a fun detail to watch for when you see the mural in person. Xiucoatl modeled the student runners after current Vista students, so families may just spot a familiar face among those carrying the torch.

In honor of Public School Volunteer Week this April, Claremont Unified was proud to recognize 11 extraordinary individuals whose time, talent, and heart make a daily difference in the lives of our students and families. At the April 2 Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Dr. Jim Elsasser honored this year's Volunteers of the Year from every school site and the district office, celebrating individuals who embody CUSD's Core Values of Excellence, Equity, Innovation, and Integrity innovation in every contribution they make.

At Chaparral, Cynthia Galvez leads the PFA with humility and excellence, organizing family events and fundraisers that strengthen the entire school community. At Condit, Shelley O'Malley generously gives her time and talent to enrich the school community. At Mountain View, Shannon Cruzat has led sixth-grade fundraising efforts to send students to science camp, giving her time as both a parent and now a staff member whose spirit of service continues to shine. At Oakmont, Vanessa Martinez brings creativity and initiative to the Parent Faculty Association, planning memorable events like the school's beloved snow party that brought joy to the entire community. At Sumner Danbury, Bryan Eide co-chaired the Read-A-Thon, created a Haunted Hall for the Harvest Festival, and manages everything from recycling to Friday Treats, always stepping up wherever needed. At Sycamore, Rachel Forester has led the Governance Council and School Site Council, catered Family Dances, and organized World Cultures Day not once, but twice. At Vista del Valle, Juan Villalobos volunteers as the school's crossing guard every morning and has designated the school as a beneficiary of his employer's charitable matching program. At El Roble, Yvette Adams keeps the instrumental music program thriving by hemming hundreds of band uniforms, running the annual Pie Drive, and working tirelessly behind the scenes so every performance goes smoothly. At Claremont High School, Keri Caldwell has driven the Music Booster program for four years, helping send students to Universal Studios, the Marching Band Championships, and the National Orchestra Festival. At San Antonio High School, Victor Garibaldi, a proud grandfather, rallies athletes at practices and games, donates snacks for the team, and reminds students every day that someone believes in them. And at the district level, Kelsey Robertson serves as a dedicated substitute teacher, coaches varsity girls' flag football at Claremont High, and organizes donations for students and families across CUSD.

To each of these incredible volunteers, and to every volunteer across our district, thank you. Your generosity of time and heart makes Claremont Unified a better place for every child, and we are endlessly grateful for all that you do.

Vista del Valle welcomed a very special guest this March when U.S. Congresswoman Norma Torres stopped by campus to visit students in their classrooms and celebrate the dedicated staff who support them each day. In recognition of National Autism Awareness Month, Congresswoman Torres spent time visiting Vista's special education classrooms, connecting with students and honoring the educators who support them. She presented Certificates of Special Congressional Recognition to Principal Charles Boulden, teacher Evelyn Marroquin, teacher Leslie Lee, and teacher's aide Ashley Grimes for their unwavering commitment to their students and their meaningful contributions to the Vista community.

The Vista community welcomed her with open arms, greeting the Congresswoman with a special welcome sign displayed at the front of campus. The visit was filled with warmth and connection from start to finish, as Congresswoman Torres walked through classrooms, greeted students, and took the time to engage with young learners in their everyday school environment. Mrs. Flowers' class added their own heartfelt touch, decorating the outside of their classroom with a handmade sign to welcome her, and the Congresswoman stopped by for a cheerful group photo with the students. Visits like these remind us just how much our Vista del Valle students and staff are seen, valued, and celebrated, both within CUSD and beyond.

For nearly 16 years, Claremont High School art teacher Melissa Wonacott has been bringing student photography to one of Claremont Village's most beloved bakeries. This year's exhibition, "Through Our Lens," ran from February 14 through March 28 at Some Crust Bakery, featuring 20 to 25 photographs from Ms. Wonacott's AP, Advanced, and select beginning photography students. The collection showcased each student's favorite image captured in class, giving community members a window into the creative eye of young CHS photographers.

Ms. Wonacott's approach to the show reflects her deep commitment to her students. She invites young artists to choose the pieces they feel most proud of, ensuring every photograph on the wall carries personal meaning. Featured works included Lesly Aguilar's vibrant portrait capturing a burst of colored powder mid-air and Sarah MacLachlan's striking close-up of an orange electric guitar, among many others. Alongside her AP and Advanced students, Ms. Wonacott thoughtfully selects a handful of beginning students to feature, giving a wider range of young artists the chance to share their work. "I want them to feel valued and excited about their creativity," she shared, and this exhibition did exactly that, celebrating not only beautiful work but the confidence and growth of every student behind the lens.

Now in its fourth year, the Superintendent's High School Advisory Council (SHAC) continues to be one of the most meaningful ways CUSD invites student voice into district decision-making. Created in the fall of 2022 by Superintendent Dr. Jim Elsasser, the council brings together a carefully selected group of students from Claremont High School and San Antonio High School to meet in the district office board room and share their experiences, ideas, and honest feedback on the issues that shape their daily lives. This year's cohort has brought the same energy and thoughtfulness as the groups before them, stepping into the role of student leaders and partners in the ongoing work of improving public education in Claremont.

What makes SHAC so meaningful is that student feedback leads to real change. Over the past few years, student input has helped shape a number of important decisions, including the addition of more proctors on campus to improve supervision and safety, the addition of a dedicated counselor at San Antonio High School to better support student needs, and the shift to an earlier start to the school year to give students more instructional time before AP and IB testing. This year's cohort is already making its mark, bringing forward fresh ideas focused on bringing the CHS and SAHS communities closer together. Members are exploring ways the two schools might share signature experiences like prom, pep rallies, and homecoming, building a stronger sense of unity between the two campuses. Every SHAC meeting is a living expression of The CUSD Commitment, igniting curiosity, strengthening resilience, and inspiring excellence to empower each student's academic journey. We are grateful to every student who has given their time and voice to this important work.