Today, we are proud to announce our . Through the collective generosity of our Ģ����Ƶ community, we awarded $310,000 in scholarships to 37 remarkable scholars.

Below are three of this year’s recipients:

Andy Salvatierra, Carson Scholar
Ģ����Ƶ Judy Ivie Burton Technology Academy High School, Class of 2026
Yale University, Class of 2030
Intended Field of Study: Chemical Engineering & Economics

Angel Lopez, Leaders of Change Scholar
Ģ����Ƶ Collins Family College-Ready High School, Class of 2026
California State University, Dominguez Hills, Class of 2030
Intended Field of Study: Business Management & Economics

Karina Jaimes, College Care Package Scholar
Ģ����Ƶ Margaret M. Bloomfield Technology Academy High School, Class of 2026
University of California, San Diego, Class of 2030
Intended Field of Study: Pharmacological Chemistry

What inspires me most about these scholars is both their excellence and perspective. They each carry a deep awareness of the world around them, a commitment to something beyond themselves, and a belief that their experiences are not limitations, but catalysts for impact.

Behind them is a community of nearly 300 supporters, volunteers, and partners who show up and invest in what’s possible. We are especially grateful to the Ģ����Ƶ Foundation’s Scholar Success Board for championing the Gayle Miller Leaders of Change Scholarships, the Johnny Carson Foundation, and to all our partners whose belief in our scholars continues to expand access and opportunity.

Thank you for believing in their brilliance.

Alumni Series: A Voice for More Than Myself

March 24, 2026

There are moments in a person’s journey that quietly shape everything that follows. The people who remind you of what’s possible, the environments that challenge you to grow, and the values that stay with you long after you’ve moved on.

For many Ģ����Ƶ scholars, those moments begin in the classroom.

As part of Women’s History Month, we’re highlighting Alicia Chavez, a current Ģ����Ƶ senior who has already begun to turn her purpose into action. Recently accepted to the University of California, Berkeley through early decision, her story reflects a deep commitment to advocacy, leadership, and community.

In the following interview, Alicia shares more about what drives her, how Ģ����Ƶ has shaped her path, and the perspective she carries forward as she prepares for what’s next:

An advocate at heart: What drives you to advocate for Ģ����Ƶ schools and scholars?

I’ve seen firsthand how easy it can be for young people in our communities to get caught up in things that take them off course, and I felt helpless watching it unfold. I think that’s why I’ve always felt drawn to people who are experiencing difficult circumstances. It’s what drives me to advocate because I know there are other ways to find happiness and healing, even through the hardest parts of our lives. I try to show people that they have options, that they’re not alone.

That’s what the Ugarte Civic Youth Fellowship was all about for me. We were recognized by the City of LA, the California State Senate, and even the U.S. Congress. I’ll never forget holding that certificate and feeling so proud, not just of myself, but of everyone who worked alongside me. Nine of my peers and I also earned $1,000 scholarships through that program. And in communities like ours, that’s not just a win for the scholar, it’s a win for their entire family.

I know what that kind of recognition means in low-income neighborhoods. It makes you want to keep going, keep showing up, and keep pursuing higher for yourself and for everyone around you.

Beyond the classroom: How have you seen Ģ����Ƶ impact not just scholars, but families and neighborhoods?

It’s in the name—College-Ready Public Schools. They help you build the academic skills and the communication and networking tools that are, honestly, just as important. A lot of scholars think, “I have a high GPA, I’ll be fine,” but college is a whole different world. You have to know how to speak up with confidence and stand out.

Ģ����Ƶ puts us in real-world spaces where our voices matter, and those moments teach you how to lead. One example of that was when I was given the opportunity to speak at Huntington Park City Hall for a development permit on behalf of my school. I was nervous, but I realized I wasn’t just speaking for myself. I was advocating for my entire school.

My school also gives back. In our Health & Medicine Club, we host blood drives and community events that bring people together to serve. Ģ����Ƶ shows us that education is about more than textbooks, it’s about building a community that supports one another. Even our CEO, Pablo, hosts workshops with families. You can feel the care. And when scholars and parents see that, it makes them want to stay.

A community that stays with you: What do you wish more people understood about the power of this community?

Honestly, when I first saw my school, this small building tucked at the end of the street, I didn’t want to go. But once I stepped inside, everything changed.

Ģ����Ƶ shows you that even a small school can do big things. Through Civic Leaders of America, we logged over 2,000 hours of political engagement and nearly 7,000 hours of civic leadership last year, from interning to hosting multi-school conferences at LA City Hall. That’s not just schoolwork. That’s transformation.

Ģ����Ƶ also makes you a leader. Even if you don’t see yourself that way, you’ll find yourself leading, whether it’s speaking at events, starting a club, or helping your community. They don’t say, “This is the one path to success.” They open every door and let you choose the one that fits.

What I wish more people understood about the power of this community is that it’s about belonging. It’s about leadership that looks different for every person. It’s about seeing scholars as more than test scores and giving us the tools, space, and voice to create real change.

Alicia’s journey is a reflection of the impact of an Ģ����Ƶ education unfolding in real time. It shows up in the way scholars find their voice, advocate for their communities, and step into leadership in spaces that once felt out of reach.

As she prepares to begin her next chapter at UC Berkeley, Alicia carries forward not only her own ambitions but a deep commitment to creating opportunity and belonging for others.

Recently, Education Resource Strategies (ERS) highlighted Ģ����Ƶ College-Ready Public Schools’ work through a national case study, recognizing the network’s efforts to redesign the teacher experience in service of stronger student outcomes.

In 2023, Ģ����Ƶ launched Reimagining the Ģ����Ƶ Educator, grounded in a simple but powerful idea: when teachers are given the time, space, and support to do their best work, student outcomes follow.

Through this initiative, Ģ����Ƶ restructured school schedules to expand teacher planning time, strengthen collaboration, and deepen professional learning, creating the conditions for both teachers and scholars to thrive.

The case study spotlights how this model was piloted across three schools, demonstrating meaningful gains in student learning alongside increased teacher satisfaction and retention.

Explore the full case study to see how intentional design can transform both the teacher experience and student outcomes.

At Ģ����Ƶ, we often say that brilliance reveals itself over time. This year’s statewide academic results affirm that truth. 

The longer scholars are with Ģ����Ƶ, the better they perform. An outcome that points to steady growth and an upward trajectory, shaped by years of investment in scholars and educators alike.

See this story come to life in this short video:

Here’s what the data shows:

• The majority of Ģ����Ƶ scholars enter our schools performing well below grade level. Over time, they make remarkable academic gains year over year.
• By 11th grade, Ģ����Ƶ scholars significantly outperform local and statewide averages in English Language Arts. 
• In math, Ģ����Ƶ scholars outperform local peers and perform on par with statewide peers, including their more affluent peers.

Behind every percentage point gained on state tests is a scholar with a dream to be a first-generation college graduate, a future engineer, a teacher, a leader. It’s a story of consistency—educators committed to scholar success, families believing in our model, and supporters investing in what matters most. And while these results are meaningful, they represent just one milestone on the journey to college success and beyond.

As we look ahead, we invite you to help carry this momentum forward and share what Ģ����Ƶ scholars are achieving.

Thank you for being part of this shared work. Together, we are proving what’s possible in public education.

Today, we join millions around the world in a movement centered on generosity and community. At Ģ����Ƶ, this day is about something far more personal. 

Take a moment to step inside our alumni’s shoes and see how you have helped shape the futures they’re living today:

Every scholar who walks into an Ģ����Ƶ school carries a story uniquely their own. Our community is right there beside them, helping them realize they are capable of far more than they imagined. And in those moments of uncertainty, or when they get a glimpse of possibility, we are by their side saying, Your brilliance matters. And we’re here with you.

​​​​​​This Giving Tuesday, we invite you to help create more moments where that brilliance comes fully into view. Your support:

• ensures brilliant young people across Los Angeles have access to a high-quality public education
• affirms and equips scholars to excel
• opens doors to new possibilities through college and career pathways 

When you give today, you’re investing in the unfolding story of a young person charting their future with purpose. 

Thank you for helping illuminate the path that guides them forward.

Last week, we hosted our 12th annual Leaders of Change event, where nearly 150 community supporters from across Los Angeles came together to celebrate the brilliance of Ģ����Ƶ scholars and alumni.

The evening was a powerful reflection of why Leaders of Change exists—to honor the journeys of Ģ����Ƶ graduates who are shaping careers, uplifting their communities, and redefining what’s possible for the next generation. Through the generosity of our sponsors and guests, we raised more than $185,000 for the Ģ����Ƶ Gayle Miller Leaders of Change Scholarship Fund, lighting the way for Ģ����Ƶ seniors who will head to college next fall.

Watch the video below to hear directly from alumni who have come full circle since receiving an Ģ����Ƶ scholarship:

Alumni like Alison and Edwin remind us that the power of community is not just something we say at Ģ����Ƶ; it’s something we live.

As we near the season of giving and reflection, we invite you to join us in extending that legacy. Every gift, no matter the size, helps fuel an Ģ����Ƶ scholar’s next step toward college and a bright future.

Thank you for believing in the promise of our scholars. Together, we are illuminating the light ahead for generations to come.

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