SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Pacific High School students and staff celebrated a prestigious statewide honor on Sept. 17 as Justice Corey G. Lee, Associate Justice of the California Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District, Division Two, personally presented the school with the 2026 California Civic Learning Award of Distinction.
This year’s award, sponsored by the California Department of Education and California Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero, recognizes model schools that are making democracy a cornerstone of students’ education. Pacific was selected because of its schoolwide efforts to provide all students with meaningful, real-world opportunities to learn about democracy, civic responsibility and the important role they play in their communities.
“I’m not here simply to present an award,” Justice Lee said during an assembly attended by more than 400 Pacific students. “I’m here to tell you that you are heard and your voice matters.”
Justice Lee presented the award to Pacific on Constitution Day and took an opportunity during her visit to administer the Oath of Leadership to three students who serve as presidents of the school’s service clubs.
To read more, visit
.westsidestorynewspaper.com.
