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By Bo Tefu and Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media

The California Community Colleges’ ICanGoToCollege.com campaign has launched the second season of its EDUCATE. ELEVATE. podcast series, which focuses on promoting Black student enrollment and retention. Season 1 had over 60,000 listeners, and the new season aims to build on this success by featuring inspiring student stories and expert advice.

The first episode of the new season brings together former foster youth Kevion Louis-Hernandez, Mt. San Antonio College alum; and Junely Merwin, a NextUp Project Expert, with host Danny Morrison. The conversation explores the challenges foster youth face and highlights the transformative impact of community college programs like NextUp, which help students overcome obstacles to reach their higher education and career goals.

“This season continues our commitment to addressing barriers faced by Black students and increasing equitable access to higher education,” said Paige Marlatt Dorr, Director of Communications and Marketing for California Community Colleges.

EDUCATE. ELEVATE. is part of a broader initiative to reverse the significant enrollment declines experienced by Black students during the pandemic. Black student enrollment dropped by 25% system-wide between 2019 and 2022, but outreach efforts and support services have helped increase enrollment by nearly 15% over the last two years, bringing the total to almost 114,000 Black students in the 2023-24 academic year.

The podcast series features candid discussions on overcoming systemic barriers, educational resources, and strategies for student success. Season 2 offers a new visual style and will release episodes every two to three weeks through May 2025.

To listen to the podcast and learn more, visit the Black Student Success page at ICanGoToCollege.com.

San Bernardino Valley College (SBVC) faculty and administrators meet with California Community Colleges (CCC) and San Bernardino Community College District (SBCCD) leadership during the historic CCC Board of Governors meeting at San Bernardino Valley College on September 23, 2024.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— San Bernardino Valley College (SBVC) is proud to announce the official approval of its new bachelor’s degree in water resources management, a landmark achievement for the college and the community. The California Community Colleges (CCC) Board of Governors granted the approval during their historic, first-ever meeting at SBVC on September 23, marking a significant milestone for the institution and its students.

“We are thrilled to receive approval for this groundbreaking program,” said SBVC President Dr. Gilbert Contreras. “This degree will not only equip our students with the specialized knowledge and skills required in the water resources management field, but it will also position SBVC as a leader in addressing critical workforce needs in our region. By offering this degree, we are opening doors to high-wage, in-demand careers that will benefit both our students and our community.”

The bachelor’s degree in water resources management is designed to prepare students for leadership roles in the vital and evolving field of water management. Focusing on sustainable practices and advanced technologies, the program will address the growing demand for skilled professionals who can tackle complex challenges related to water supply, quality, and infrastructure.

“This program is a testament to SBVC’s commitment to educational excellence and community impact,” said Melita Caldwell-Betties, chair of the water supply technology program at SBVC. “Water is one of our most precious resources, and this degree will give students the expertise needed to make a difference. We are excited to launch this program and support our students in becoming future leaders in this critical field.”

The program’s approval comes at a crucial time for the water industry, which faces significant challenges due to an aging workforce and a looming wave of retirements. According to a recent SBVC regional labor market analysis, over 30% of water industry employees in the Inland Empire are expected to retire within the next 10 years. The new bachelor’s degree program will play a pivotal role in addressing the regional skills gap and providing trained professionals to fill these positions.

The Inland Empire is one of the top regions in the nation for water-related careers, offering high salaries and strong demand for qualified candidates.

Graduates of the program will be prepared for a variety of high-demand roles, including:

• Leadership positions in water supply utilities
• Water and wastewater treatment plant management
• Regulatory agency positions focused on water quality and environmental protection
• Groundwater and conservation district leadership
• Watershed and river basin authority management

SBVC is hoping to begin enrolling students in this innovative new degree program by Fall 2026.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— October 26th, the San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra will present a 3 p.m. matinee performance of “Movies with the Maestro” featuring some of Maestro Anthony Parnther‘s favorite film and television music including some of the scores he has personally led on the session stages of Hollywood.

“When I’m not here in San Bernardino with our world-class orchestra, I have the distinct pleasure of leading the Hollywood Studio Symphony on many of the most beloved film and television franchises on the planet,” explained Maestro Parnther. “This annual concert has quickly become a San Bernardino Symphony staple and it is great to see so many people from throughout the region excited to experience the incredible music of American television and cinema!”

The repertoire will include selections from Aladdin, Hocus Pocus, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Chariots of Fire, Ghostbusters, Transformers, The X Files, The Body Guard, and more. As always, patrons are encouraged to get into the spirit by dressing as their favorite movie star or bringing their light sabers to conduct along with the Maestro when selections from Star Wars are performed. In addition, this year the Symphony has added a special trick-or-treat time for all the young ones in attendance.

Shared Symphony Board of Directors President Donna Marie Minano, “This is absolutely one of the most fun and exciting concerts of the year! I encourage everyone to get tickets while they last and join us for the liveliest party in town!”

Tickets and Location Details

Tickets are available at $20-$100 per seat and may be securely purchased online at www.sanbernardinosymphony.org or by telephone at (909) 381-5388 Monday through Friday between the hours of 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Seats for children and students with ID are just $15 and may be obtained with the purchase of an adult seat.

Movies with the Maestro will be held at the historic California Theatre of the Performing Arts, 562 W. Fourth Street in downtown San Bernardino. Doors open at 2 p.m. for this 3 p.m. show. Free, lighted parking is available directly across from the venue and is accessible via D Street.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— On a beautiful afternoon on Sunday, October 6, 2024, at the Sterling Natural Resource Center in San Bernardino among over 130 guests witnessed Stacey Barnier, Niki Dettman, Geraldine “Gerri” Foxall-Kater, Nefertiti Long, and Tansu Phillip receive the Citizens of Achievement Award and American Association of University Women (AAUW) of Redlands receive the Civic Engagement Award at the League of Women Voters, San Bernardino Area 49th Citizens of Achievement and Civic Engagement Awards Ceremony.

League of Women Voters need to ensure all citizens are registered and has information needed to cast a vote. Their action plan is to identify resources and training to support engagement in voter registration, voter education, and get out the vote efforts.

To learn more about the League of Women Voters of San Bernardino, please visit: San Bernardino Area | MyLO (lwv.org)

Publisher’s Commentary by Wallace J. Allen, IV

This resource was supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library via California Black Media as part of the Stop the Hate program. The program is supported by partnership with the California Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs. To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, go to https://www.cavshate.org/

In late August I attended the Ethnic Media Conference in Sacramento, California. It was a Conference consisting of California based ethnic owned media, including members of California Black Media, the organization that Westside Story Newspaper and Empire Talks Back Radio belong to.

The Stop the Hate theme of the Ethnic Media Conference was an acknowledgment of the power of organized complaining and reporting. The Trump Administration made false claims associating Asian people with the origins of the COVID pandemic which generated a national increase in anti-Asian hate incidents and hate crimes! The Asian community’s outcry and organized response to the hate, attracted national news coverage and empathy, and created political will.

The process of reporting and documenting the incidents of hate, as well as the crimes of hate, had a powerful impact in California. Enough for the State to, between 2021 and 2023, create and allocate about $200 million to the California vs Hate, Stop the Hate Program, which funded among other things, the statewide Stop the Hate campaign in ethnic media.

My overall response to the splendid information filled Conference is one of pride for several reasons. I am proud to point out that the conference was co-chaired and organized by a San Bernardino native, Regina Wilson, the daughter of Cheryl and Hardy Brown, of the Black Voice News organization. The Black Voice News organization created an additional point of pride in that it received an award for outstanding writing! The IE was further highlighted via the Inland Valley News which was recognized for its outstanding community outreach. I am particularly pleased to note that those two newspapers are each now being published by second generation family members. Paulette Brown-Hinds is publishing the Black Voice and Ta-Lese Morrow is publishing the Inland Valley News, the newspaper founded by her father, Tommy Morrow.

The importance of this publishing legacy is that I know the will and ability to tell our Black Story accurately and passionately is secured by the youthful but mature hands of concerned, culturally competent people.  These publishers have also witnessed the power of telling the story enough to see that racism and hate have been so normalized that we have all tended to look past the generational hate and institutional racism that generated and maintains the ‘Black State of Emergency’!

I was reminded of the benefits of complaining about hate and racism. We effected the whole of the Civil Rights Movement on reporting and protesting the evils of racism and hate… The Asian Community took a page out of our book, the page that says it pays to complain!  But you have to know how to collect and keep!  We have rights as a result of The Movement, but they are not complete and they are under constant threat. Equitable treatment for Black Folk is not a given, even in the full light of anti-hate intentions…

Several years ago, in 2022, Black People, though only 6% of California’s total population, were 30% of the State’s hate crime victims.  Black Folks are and have always been statistically the most hated residents of California proven by the highest number of reported incidents…

According to an article written by Felicia Mello and Published by Cal Matters in September 2023, “The state’s latest Stop The Hate grants bring its non-law enforcement anti-hate spending to more than $200 million since 2021, more than any other state, advocates say.”

Since the statistics show that 30% of State hate is targeting Black Folk, it would make sense to assume that 30% of the State’s anti-hate budget would also target anti-Black hate… Right? Wrong! New hate, is the cause of the attention and new hate is the recipient of the bulk of the California vs Hate budget!

I do know that the Department of Social Services is providing direct services to victims of hate incidents and hate crimes if the victims ‘complain’ by reporting the event on the Stop The Hate hotline, 888-8-NO-Hate! However, that service is provided after the hate!

I know of a number of Black Folk who over the course of life have encountered and endured hate incidents and crimes… However, I am very challenged to remember anyone who has ever made a formal complaint! Is that similar to your experience?  If Black Folks in general do not report hate and yet, 30% of hate crimes & incidents reported in California are against Black Folks, what would the percentage be if all anti-Black hate crimes & incidents in California, were reported? I think we can agree that in general, Black People have normalized, gotten used to and generally expect a certain amount of racism and hate and therefore have somewhat normalized it!

It also appears that even the Stop The Hate program has normalized the hate in that it is not set up to actually stop the hate but more to provide services to the hate victims… Which is a good thing, but not what it says! When I talk to Black Folks about reporting hate, the basic response is, “What good is that going to do?”

So we appear not be bothered by anything less than blatant deadly police shootings… Police shooting Black People is the ultimate example of the power of institutional racism and hate! The regularity of which is terrorizing and front page…

The generational effects of Institutional Racism is not as noisy, but just as deadly! It creates the ability to deliver legal hate on an automatic system wide basis allowing legal gate keepers to claim ‘clean hands’ as they are only following law and policy… Laws and policies that have generated and maintained a Black State of Emergency!

We may not report to the police, but we do talk about racism & hate to each other, acknowledging, without stating the Black State of Emergency that racism and hate have rendered to Black People in general. Particularly the long term, generational, institutional racism and hate that hides behind the shields of law and tradition!

The Black State of Emergency is described by laws and traditional institutional racism that allows Black infant mortality to be twice that of white infants…That disciplines and suspends Black Students at 3 times the rate of white students… That over populates its jails and prisons disproportionately with Black Men and Women… That packs its unemployment ranks disproportionately with Black Men and Women… and there is more detriment that can be attributed to legal policies that are used to justify hateful and inhumane results! Results that make Black Folks the highest statistical victims of stress, high blood pressure and diabetes! Black Folks are the #-one victims of hate incidents and hate crimes! Black People also have the shortest life spans!

In our diverse society the fact that Blacks lead in so many the negative Vital Statistics, signals the presence a powerful condition that is targeting them! America’s infrastructure of Slavery certainly contributes to that powerful racist echo that still rings loudly in present day policy!

We have been hated for so long, that we have basically normalized it… All of the elements that ring our State-Of-Emergency Bell, are things that we know about and have known about so long that we basically blame ourselves for their existence… We teach our young to ‘kiss-up’ to the police, to increase their chance of staying alive! That should not be normal!

To exemplify institutional racism and hate, I point to the city of Palm Springs and its ‘Section 14 City engineered holocaust… That forgot that Black People were human beings’! Those words paraphrase the Attorney General’s 1968 Report resulting from an investigation of that city burning and demolishing some 200 Black owned homes.  The city records boldly admit that it, the city, skipped providing any legal process such as giving notice to the home owners, and proceeded to burn and demolish homes filled with furniture, appliances and personal property! People would return from school and work and find their home destroyed! The city did its dirty deed slowly, terrorizing residents with the suspense of ‘who is next’?  There were cases of people being present but not allowed to remove their property from the doomed structures. The city joyfully choose to take the hateful route instead of the legal route!

The Survivors of Section 14, some 1000 plus people, with their attorney, have been negotiating with the city and have received an apology and a settlement offer that while it admits guilt, does not in any real way come close to compensating these victims of an obvious institutional hate crime that is probably not too late to be prosecuted !

It is hard to believe that the state of California is really serious about stopping the hate, when we can see a situation like that which is ongoing in Palm Springs! The crime happened and was recognized by the California Attorney General’s Office as a “city engineered holocaust that forgot Black People are human”, back in 1968, and nothing has happened legally to defend and or support the victims!

This scenario seems to justify the ‘What good would it do to complain’ attitude… However, my Asian cousins have demonstrated and proven to me, that it pays to complain and report hate!

If you GOOGLE Palm Springs Section 14, you will see national and state wide coverage of the ongoing hate crime… If you do so you will have to agree that the Survivors of Palm Springs Section 14 are not suffering from lack of providing information, but from a surplus of normalization.

We will organize a Town hall to meet the Survivors of Section 14 and discuss the effects of institutional racism, the Black State of Emergency and how to really stop the hate! Stay tuned! Fighting hate must become normal!

By Ashley Craig, Navy Office of Community Outreach

MILLINGTON, Tenn. – A Loma Linda University graduate serves as the executive officer at U.S. Navy Medicine Training and Readiness Command (U.S. NMRTC) Sigonella, in Italy, a role similar to a chief operations officer.

Capt. Michael Mercado, a native of Stockton, California, assumed the executive officer role at U.S. NMRTC Sigonella/U.S. Naval Hospital Sigonella in July 2023 as part of a competitively selected group of medical professionals with varying clinical, administrative and operational backgrounds assigned to manage the operations of Navy military treatment facilities around the world.

Mercado earned a Doctor of Medicine from the Loma Linda University School of Medicine in 2004 and joined the Navy through the Health Professions Scholarship Program. Mercado graduated with a residency in Family Medicine from Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton in 2007.

“I am humbled to support a high-performing team of professionals who diligently sustain clinical operations of our medical facilities in Sigonella, Sicily; Souda Bay, Crete; and the Kingdom of Bahrain,” said Mercado. “Truly an opportunity of a lifetime.”

Mercado has served in many teaching and leadership roles throughout his 20-year Navy career. Most recently, Mercado served at the Navy Bureau of Medicine & Surgery as director of Force Medical Readiness from 2021 to 2023, overseeing programs and policies that optimize the medical readiness and assignability for more than 600,000 active and reserve component members and their families.

“Though I cherish being a uniformed family physician, being selected to this senior leadership role enables me to elevate the quality, safety and overall experience of our very deserving patients in ways that I could never accomplish in the exam room,” said Mercado. “While I appreciate the strategic influence I bring into my current executive officer role, I especially enjoy the moments when I walk around the command and I get to inspire, motivate and connect with junior sailors on a personal level. Those moments are what keeps me in Navy Medicine.”

With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.

Mercado serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.

“We will earn and reinforce the trust and confidence of the American people every day,” said Adm. Lisa Franchetti, chief of naval operations. “Together we will deliver the Navy the nation needs.”

U.S. NMRTC Sigonella is a community hospital located in the heart of the Mediterranean in Sicily, Italy. Comprised of a local satellite clinic and two branch health clinics located in Bahrain and Souda Bay, U.S. NMRTC Sigonella’s staff of 387 serves approximately 8,500 active duty, family members, NATO members, retirees and other beneficiaries based on international collaborations and status of forces agreements.

ONTARIO, CA— More than a quarter-million visitors attended the 11^th Annual Route 66 Cruisin’ Reunion in Downtown Ontario on September 20 and 21, making this year’s event the most popular and successful ever.

The event, presented by GOCAL (Greater Ontario California), attracted visitors from Southern California and beyond for a spirited weekend of classic cars, food, music and family fun. More than 1,100 hot rods and vintage automobiles lined the streets of Ontario during the two-day celebration of America’s most famous roadway.

“Route 66 Cruisin’ Reunion has become one of Southern California’s premier events, and this year’s certainly lived up to that billing. We want to thank all our partners, our entertainers and vendors, and, of course, our visitors and participants for making this the best Cruisin’ Reunion ever,” said Michael Krouse, President and CEO of GOCAL.

Enthusiasm for the 2024 Route 66 Cruisin’ Reunion was borne out in a survey of attendees, which showed that 98% probably or will participate again next year, while the same number – 98% – are very likely to tell others about the event. More than four in 10 were first-time attendees.

It was a hit with non-attendees as well. According to GOCAL’s audience metrics, Route 66 Cruisin’ Reunion generated more than 20 million digital media impressions and earned-media audience reach of more than 30 million.

In addition to classic cars as far as the eye can see, highlights of this year’s event included headlining performances by the classic rock band Grand Funk Railroad and Yacht Rock favorites Ambrosia.

A highly coveted part of every Route 66 Cruisin’ Reunion are the individual awards. This year’s honorees included Michael Kendall, Best of Show winner for his 1960 Cadillac Convertible, and Craig Pardue, the Mayor’s Choice Award for his 1951 Ford Crestline. For a complete list of award winners, please visit our website.

GOCAL also would like to thank the event sponsors: Stater Bros. Markets, Raising Canes, OmniTrans, Mark Christopher Auto Center, Petersen Automotive Museum, the City of Ontario and the Ontario Convention Center.

ROUTE 66 CRUISIN REUNION

The Route 66 Cruisin’ Reunion®, a 501-(c3) organization, created by Greater Ontario California (GOCAL), is a Southern California ultimate weekend celebration of America’s love affair with the automobile and its world-famous highway, Route 66. Two days of cruisin’, contests, live entertainment, fabulous food and revelry make it one of the best events of its kind. Held annually each September along historic, tree-shaded Euclid Avenue in Ontario, California, Route 66 Cruisin’ Reunion is where classic cruisers, convertibles, hot rods, and wicked Woodies fuel a jam-packed jamboree.  Visit  GOCAL.ORG or www.Route66CruisinReunion.com for details.

GREATER ONTARIO CALIFORNIA

Greater Ontario California (GOCAL) is the official destination marketing organization to promote the cities of Ontario and Rancho Cucamonga, California to visitors nationally and internationally.  As destination experts we provide leisure, meeting groups and meeting professionals with an unbiased, comprehensive resource when booking a tour, convention, meeting or event within the cities of Ontario and Rancho Cucamonga, California.  Ideal for leisure and business travel, the region boasts scenic mountains, deserts, vineyards and metropolitan areas that are both historic and cosmopolitan in character. Under the umbrella of the Greater Ontario California is the California Welcome Center and several Signature Events to support the overall mission to drive visitors to the region, stimulating economic growth.  GOCAL provides the necessary destination support tools to execute a successful experience. Visit www.GO-CAL.org.

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Sierra Garcia, Navy Public Affairs Support Element East

NORFOLK, VA. – Seaman Isabella Candelaria, a native of Ontario, California, serves aboard USS New Jersey, the U.S. Navy’s newest fast-attack submarine homeported in Norfolk, Virginia.

Candelaria attended Ontario High School and graduated in 2023.The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Ontario.

“I learned from my parents, Brenda and Clarence Candelaria, and family in general the importance of working hard,” said Candelaria.

Candelaria joined the Navy one year ago and today serves as a sonar technician (submarines).

“I joined the Navy because it felt like there were good benefits and the opportunity to do something different.,” said Candelaria. “I also wanted to be the first in my family to join.”

Known as America’s “Apex Predators!,” the Navy’s submarine force operates a large fleet of technically advanced vessels. These submarines are capable of conducting rapid defensive and offensive operations around the world, in furtherance of U.S. national security.

Fast-attack submarines are designed to hunt down and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships; strike targets ashore with cruise missiles; carry and deliver Navy SEALs; conduct intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions; and engage in mine warfare. The Virginia-class SSN is the most advanced submarine in the world today. It combines stealth and payload capability to meet Combatant Commanders’ demands in this era of strategic competition. New Jersey is the first Virginia-class submarine designed and built for a full gender-integrated crew.

With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to trained sailors and a strong Navy.

Candelaria serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.

“We will earn and reinforce the trust and confidence of the American people every day,” said Adm. Lisa Franchetti, chief of naval operations. “Together we will deliver the Navy the nation needs.”

Candelaria has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.

“My proudest accomplishment was finally finishing ‘A’ School and sub school,” said Candelaria. “I am also proud of completing my first underway on a submarine, which was two and half weeks.”

Candelaria can take pride in serving America through military service.

“Serving in the Navy means I get to do something that most people don’t do,” said Candelaria. “Being on a submarine is something not many people get to do so I think that’s cool.”

Candelaria is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.

“I’d like to thank my family for always being there for me when I needed them and everyone else that I’ve met, including Angelica Ramos and Jan Gomez,” added Candelaria. “They endured ‘A’ School with me and supported me in a way that I needed, especially being out here alone.”

FONTANA, CA— Michelle Riggs, director of institutional advancement at Crafton Hills College (CHC), was appointed in June to the Network of California Community College Foundations (NCCCF) board of directors for a three-year term.

The NCCCF’s mission is to advance and increase philanthropy to California’s community colleges. Community colleges receive less state funding per student than all other types of California public schools and the NCCCF’s efforts hope to bridge the gap.

“I am honored to join the NCCCF board of directors and contribute to the vital work of advancing philanthropy for California’s community colleges,” said Riggs. “I see firsthand the transformative impact that financial support can have on our students’ lives. I look forward to collaborating with my peers across the state to help bridge the funding gap and ensure that all students have access to the resources they need to succeed.”

In her current role at CHC, Riggs oversees the college’s fundraising efforts, alumni relations and community engagement initiatives. With a deep commitment to student success, she has been instrumental in securing financial support to enhance educational opportunities at the college.

NCCCF represents 56 foundations supporting community colleges or districts throughout California. There are 116 California community colleges serving 1.8 million students collectively. To strengthen philanthropy in California’s community colleges, the NCCCF provides members with professional development, peer support, access to resources, and collaborative opportunities.

For more information about NCCCF, visit https://ncccfweb.org/Home.aspx.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Nearly 500 Parkside Elementary School students received a special surprise on August 27, just as the new school year is getting underway. Thanks to a generous donation from Toyota of San Bernardino, every Parkside student received a brand-new backpack filled with essential school supplies. This thoughtful gift ensures that students are well-prepared and excited to kick off the academic year.

The surprise donation was met with smiles and excitement throughout the school, but perhaps no one was more appreciative than sixth-grader Henry Sanchez, 12. Henry, a standout student and natural leader in his class, expressed his gratitude for the new backpack, which he says will help him stay organized and focused during the school year.

“I lose my pencils all the time and having everything I need to succeed in one place really makes a difference,” Henry said as he checked out his new school supplies. “It feels great to know that our community cares about us and wants us to do well in school.”

Toyota of San Bernardino has a long history of supporting local education initiatives, and this donation is just the latest example of their commitment to the San Bernardino community.

“By providing students with the tools they need to thrive, we are helping to set the stage for a successful school year for every child at Parkside Elementary,” said the San Bernardino dealership’s General Manager, Eli Rivera. “I see myself in the faces of these students, and that’s why I want them to succeed.”

Parkside Principal Dr. Khaleelah Lewis-Wilkins expressed her heartfelt thanks to Toyota of San Bernardino, noting the positive impact this contribution will have on her students.

“Our students are so excited to receive these backpacks and supplies,” she said. “This generous donation will make a tremendous difference in their lives, giving them the confidence and resources they need to excel in their studies.”

The entire Parkside Elementary School community extends its gratitude to Toyota of San Bernardino for their kindness and continued support of local education. With the help of generous partners like Toyota, students like Henry Sanchez are more motivated than ever to achieve their academic goals and build a bright future.

About San Bernardino City Unified School District:

The San Bernardino City Unified School District is California’s eighth-largest school district and is dedicated to providing a high-quality education that prepares students for college, career and life. With a focus on equity, excellence and empowerment, the District serves a diverse student population in the San Bernardino and Highland communities. For more information about SBCUSD, visit www.sbcusd.com and follow the District @SBCityUSD on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube and LinkedIn.