English learner students are being recognized and celebrated for making strides toward fluency. This week schools from the KCSOS RISE program, formerly known as Alternative Education, celebrated students who showed significant improvement in their English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC) tests.
Three schools, North Kern Community School in Delano, and CLC and CLC Tech in Bakersfield, invited the students and their families for a celebration with a presentation of certificates.
Five students from across the three campuses, Josue Javier Quijada Torres, Felix Vasquez Sanchez, Esteban Hurtado Hernandez, Juan Quintero Ortiz, and Uriel Vazquez Rodriguez, scored high enough on their tests to be considered proficient in English and will be reclassified from English learner to fluent in English.
North Kern students pose with their certificates.
Following are the names of all the students recognized in the ELPAC celebrations:
North Kern:
Alex Alfaro
Dulce Garcia Palafox
Juan Espinoza Rivera
Josue Javier Quijada Torres
Felix Vasquez Sanchez
CLC Tech:
Nelson Fuentes Santos
Angel Hernandez Leyva
Esteban Hurtado Hernandez
Miguel Mendoza
Juan Quintero Ortiz
Jasmine Trujillo Nino
CLC:
Edgar Baez
Leonardo Bravo
Mario Jacobo Prado
Angel Mata Carreno
Nicanor Mendoza
Cesar Moreno Vargas
Jose De Jesus Sanchez
Emmanuel Contreras Bautista
Huber Rubio Trinidad
Alina Duenas Garcia
Johnathan Montalvo Gonzalez
Uriel Vazquez Rodriguez
PHOTO GALLERY
Josue Javier Quijada Torres signs the paperwork officially declaring him English fluent.
Esteban Hurtado Hernandez, who has been reclassified as English fluent and is graduating from CLC Tech this year, gave his graduation speech to the celebration attendees.
By Katie Avery
Katie Avery joined the Kern County Superintendent of Schools in 2023 as a Communications Specialist. As a former journalist and marketing professional, her passions include media and storytelling. Before joining KCSOS, Avery worked for various local TV stations as well as the health care industry.