2024-25 Student Success Stories by Sarah Coleman

Isaac Toledo

2024-10-14 16:44:32 UTC

Showed up (almost) every day for 1st period, worked through (almost) his entire class, and earned credit.

Zinger

Adam A-H

2024-10-14 16:45:39 UTC

Passed chemistry class. And with a B! Worked hard and tried his best especially in his final, even caught a small mistake on the final.

Scott (Dylan) Galvin

2024-10-14 16:46:27 UTC

I am so proud of how he settled in and had a super successful block despite a lot previous struggles!

Julian Michael

2024-10-14 16:47:17 UTC

Julian Michael showed up everyday and did not give up! Although this was his 3rd attempt, he finihed all assignments and passed with a C+

Villalvazo

2024-10-14 16:47:24 UTC

Sean finally passed Algebra 1-1 class, he worked very hard the last week making up time and working until he passed. He was very happy because he passed all his subjects in block 1.

Ethan Navage

2024-10-14 16:47:40 UTC

Ethan Navage buckled down and got one of the few A's in my 1st Period ELA 11-1 course. Reinforcing the ideas of leadership and accomplishment guided him to true success in a course where story material was not the easiest to grasp. Here's hoping he keeps on the better path going forward, his ceiling is high.

Candler

2024-10-14 16:48:22 UTC

Jaina Trujillo is new to Sun Valley. Even though she is dealing with a lot of personal issues, she passed my class with an "A". Jaina is a joy!

Adrian B

2024-10-14 16:48:59 UTC

Adrian B finally completed his self learning project and presented it to the class.

Andrea Velarde

2024-10-14 16:49:51 UTC

She finally passed my math class. It took her several attempts mostly due to attendance. This block she nearly had perfect attendance and though she hates math did not complain once. She was one of our few graduates this block.

HT

2024-10-14 16:50:22 UTC

Leslie Ceja Had great attendance and worked hard :)

Dylan Biggs

2024-10-14 16:51:53 UTC

Dylan came into the school a bit rough around the edges :) By the end of the block he realized what we are doing here at SVHS.

Kevin Valdez

2024-10-14 16:52:14 UTC

Kevin really rose as a leader for his group in Integrated Science, encouraging them to participate, spearheading their "city planning" project and coming up with some really unique and creative ideas. He worked very hard throughout the block to encourage the students around him to participate and finish hard assignments.

Ebony Ramirez

2024-10-14 16:52:19 UTC

Ebony greatly improved both in attendance & academics. She finally passed Geometry 1 & is motivated to continue to get to graduate.

Sean and Taimaya

2024-10-14 16:55:51 UTC

Sean S. worked really hard at the end of the block to pass Integrated Science 1. He stayed after school to make up missing tests and assignments, and really put forth the effort to do well in the course.

Taimaya also gradually increased participation and worked hard to pass as well. She seemed very reserved struggled to complete work at the at the beginning of the block when they first transferred in. By the last few weeks though she really tried hard to make up missing tests and passed Integrated Science 1!

Julian Michael

2025-01-10 17:24:09 UTC

He passed all 3 classes again and only has 3 more to go!! His attendance improved and effort was strong!

Reynaldo Martinez Rodriguez

andrewflynn5 — 2025-01-10 17:24:14 UTC

In my Period 3 ELA 11-1 course, Reynaldo Martinez Rodriguez was pretty much a star throughout the block. He had a rough social start with one other student, but once we got into a solid pattern with his learning, he flourished and ended up with a 93.8% final grade. {: )

HT

2025-01-10 17:24:48 UTC

Ryleigh Andre has made a great progress emotionally and academically

Kole Baird "The Viking Warrior"

2025-01-10 17:25:03 UTC

I had to pull Kole's teeth to get him to take my 3rd period class. By the end of Block 2 Kole was pulling 300lbs off the ground and more confident (and weird:) than he's ever been!

Candler

2025-01-10 17:25:06 UTC

Sean Saavedra

He was tardy to my class almost every single day - he always stayed after school and made up time. Sean passed the class, yeah!

Race Penny

2025-01-10 17:25:39 UTC

Race had a rough start to the block. He came on Fridays to catch up on work/ made up time and was a delight to have class. He work hard to maintain his behavior and communicated well with me when he needed a break. He always came back to class and was ready to work.

Colandrea

2025-01-10 17:25:56 UTC

Christopher Pena-Ortiz has been in the SEI class for almost 3 years, and he has finally graduated. All SEI students completed their self learning project and stood in front of the class and completed "my dream job" presentation in English.

Villalvazo

2025-01-10 17:26:07 UTC

After almost all the block fighting to stop him from cheating, Adrian Slack finally tried to do his IXL for himself and it was very gratifying to see how his bad mood turned into pride and satisfaction for having understood and doing it by himself.

Cesar Martinez Lara

2025-01-10 17:26:21 UTC

Cesar started Integrated Science I really chatty, having a hard time paying attention, and speaking no English in class. Throughout the block his work effort approved exponentially, he was working his tail off and often staying through lunch to make sure he completed his assignments thoroughly. He became a leader in his group and really pulled his weight in group projects, did an incredible video presentation entirely in English, did an amazing job on his final project, and was asking me questions in English almost every day!

Karla Sanchez

2025-01-10 17:26:23 UTC

This student has been with me twice and has finished with over a 100% both times. She is very intelligent and always on task willing to help other ELL students in need. Even though her English isn't perfect she is willing to present in front of the class. She is definitely a Spirit of Leona candidate!

Jarod S.

2025-01-10 17:28:03 UTC

Jarod did a great job in his final art project and finally passed the class. He's had a very tough time lately in his personal life so this is a great accomplishment.

Padilla

2025-01-10 17:28:35 UTC

Jenny Velasquez improved in both effort and performance. She not only improved herself, but also helped her classmates.

LaCourt

2025-01-10 17:29:04 UTC

Jr stepped up SO much to get a good grade in "the hardest class ever" (Eng 12-1) He came in everyday and checked about more work to complete. He even got up and presented several times! :)

Angel Amaro

2025-01-10 17:34:19 UTC

Angel started the block being very unmotivated and constantly on his phone. He had numerous missing assignments and I was worried about his willingness to pass the class. However about half way through the block he started really focusing on his academics and put in the effort to make up all of his missing work and tests. He ended up passing the class with a very positive grade!

Emily Anaya, London Rusden, Jayde Moore-Cooks

2025-03-06 20:26:54 UTC

All three of these ladies started late in the block. Not only did they complete all the make up work for the weeks they missed but they maintained the course work for the remainder of the block. I rarely see this done by 1 student, let only 3! I am so proud of all three of these ladies.

Daniel Snapp

2025-03-06 20:28:28 UTC

He is naturally smart. However, the reason I am proud of him is because he became a leader of his group and peers.

LaCourt

2025-03-06 20:35:51 UTC

Jr (Marcelino) wrote one of the BEST research papers of the block! He worked every single day before and after school, and he even edited 2 rough drafts! He admited that this was the hardest thing he has ever done . . . BUT . . . it is one of HIS proudest moments! :)

Candler

2025-03-07 15:58:32 UTC

Carlin Ploughe is a character! He gets distracted often, but with a little help he successfully completed the class! I am so proud of him!

Padilla

2025-03-07 17:43:55 UTC

Angel Amaro made the decision to try to pass my class. He came in after school for tutoring, kept on top of his grade/missing assignments, etc. He was very proud of himself, and is on track to graduate by the end of this school year.

Julian

2025-03-07 18:34:41 UTC

Julian Michael graduated and worked so hard to get to school regularly! I think he surprised himself that he could actually do it! :-)

Race Penny

2025-03-07 18:38:01 UTC

No matter what is facing this kid, he is absolutely capable when determined to excel. We all know that challenges exist for Race from nearly every corner of life, and this block was no different. Through his sheer force of will, he succeeded in helping be a 1st Period classroom leader and ended up with a high B in my challenging ELA 10-1 course.

Villalvazo

2025-03-07 20:39:16 UTC

Mireya José García started the block feeling insecure about her math skills and afraid of failing because she speaks mostly Spanish. She was the best student in the first period class, she worked very hard in this block. At the end she felt very happy and proud of herself because all the extra time she spent on homework was worth it.

Mireya Jose Garcia

2025-03-07 21:30:15 UTC

Mireya came in with almost no English but with 5000% determination. She doesn't let up! I never saw her phone out once, she was either working to understand chemistry or teaching what she had learned to a classmate. She worked so hard in class, improved her IXL diagnostic scores by more than 100 points for math and ELA, and taught her whole lab group chemistry. Her English is already so much improved and I can tell she is going to be very successful!

(also I just saw that Ms. V wrote about Mireya too, but I'm posting it anyway!)

Colandrea

japhiacolandrea1 — 2025-03-07 21:41:57 UTC

Jeremy Lopez has made a massive turn around since starting at SVHS. He finished all his English credits as well as an extra elective. He worked hard on his assignments and actually came in on Friday to make up time and work. According to Jeremy, he should be gradating in the next 2 blocks.

Curran

2025-03-07 21:52:15 UTC

Julia Alvarez struggles mightily in math. She had an 'F' in the class the whole block, but she kept persevering and stayed after school almost everyday to get extra help. She ended with a + 240 growth in IXL math and finished out the class with a C+. Hopefully this builds her confidence since I was not able to persuade her to present a problem to the class...yet.

Bolinger

2025-05-21 18:09:56 UTC

Danny Durmon Sherman

After A LOT of encouragement( and lectures) , Danny was able to pass my class. More importantly he began to take responsibility for his own schooling. He came to realize that with a little more effort and focus he could have passed all of his class.

Candler

2025-05-21 20:56:22 UTC

Russell Stoflet worked very hard to pass my class! He was so addicted to his phone that it became a deterrent to his grade. He agreed to give Silvia the phone every morning. After a few Fridays, he brought up his grade a lot - he was so happy! I a proud of him. :)

Padilla

2025-05-21 21:59:16 UTC

David Baez passed my Geometry 2 class. This is the first time he actually made an effort, and it paid off.

HT

2025-05-22 16:10:55 UTC

I am proud of William Wallace. He stepped up and got his grade up. I wish he would stay here for next year. I am so curious to see him grow

Colandrea

japhiacolandrea1 — 2025-05-22 16:25:59 UTC

Bryan Lopez Tapia and Angel Ramirez Valencia have graduated. Karla S and Ashley S have passed the AZELLA test.

Flynn: Sofia, Valkyrie, and Mark.

2025-05-22 16:58:31 UTC

This block, each period had at least one standout success. In my first period, Sofia Torres Torres proved that you can still improve your writing skills no matter how well-read and focused that you are. Second period, it was Valkyrie. There's no way that someone in her recent circumstances should have had the positive mindset that she carries on the regular, but she proved overwise. Just excellent, even if she didn't exactly love doing the study guides. Finally, Mark Hughes exemplifies a student that may not have everything going for him at home, but flips the script and does better than well. All three students are inspiring to both other students, and to me.

Zinger

2025-05-22 17:21:58 UTC

Ashton Ridgeway... It's a 4yr success story:) I just felt the need to put him on here because he's one of the most amazing students I've ever had.

Alexa

2025-05-22 21:41:50 UTC

Angel Amaro Hernandez did really good in Stats and worked really hard to graduate!!

Elhadj Diallo completed 5 CBE math classes, and every single one with an A!

Standing

2025-05-22 22:09:11 UTC

Dazhon Green -- I've already taught him Chemistry I and II, and in both these classes he barely squeaked by with a D. He is really smart but just so stuck to his phone that I don't think he was really getting anything out of the class. When we began to apply chemistry in Integrated Science I, he suddenly realized he already was familiar with the material and started getting really into it! He asked brilliant questions during class discussions and went above and beyond to lead his group and help the groups around him. He brought so much energy and deepened the learning for the whole class for the rest of the block, especially during the chemistry unit. My favorite comment from him was, "this ain't that hard, I just wasn't paying attention the first time."