Educators and community leaders gathered at KCSOS’s Bell Tower Plaza for the opening of the three-day Freedom Dreaming conference, where the day’s highlights included the presentation of the 2026 EMBRACE Champion Awards honoring local changemakers advancing equity, inclusion, and opportunity for students across Kern County.
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Nine outstanding educators are being recognized for the critical roles they play behind the scenes in Kern County schools. Meet the 2026 Classified Employees of the Year and learn how their work is making a difference for students every day.
A nearly century-old landmark in downtown Bakersfield has been brought back to life—blending rich history, personal memories, and a new purpose for educators across Kern County.
From the time he was barely tall enough to climb onto a mat, Troy Holman was already chasing the gold. Introduced to gymnastics through “Mommy and Me” classes at just three years old, he entered his first competition soon after and never looked back. Troy’s mindset — quiet, singularly focused, determined, and relentlessly forward-looking — has carried him to the very top of his class and his sport. A two-time member of the U.S. Men’s Junior National Team (2023–2024 and 2024–2025), he placed among the top in the nation, earning himself a spot among just a few athletes selected nationwide.
Taft Union High School senior Alaysia Taylor has turned profound loss and life-changing injury into a story of resilience, leadership, and incredible determination.
This April, Kern County joins communities nationwide in observing Child Abuse Prevention Month, bringing together families and organizations to promote safe, supportive environments for children.
While many students discover their passions through a single path, Jakob Bakker’s journey has been anything but ordinary. From robotics and visual art to leadership and community service, the Valley Oaks Charter School salutatorian has embraced every opportunity along the way — earning a full-ride to Colby College and leaving a lasting impact on his school and community.
Students from across Kern County came together at the Career Technical Education Center (CTEC) for an exciting and interactive Career and STEM Expo that was designed to spark curiosity and open doors to future opportunities.
Fresh off a county championship earlier this year, students from Stockdale High School continued their momentum on the state stage, earning multiple team and individual honors at the 2026 California Academic Decathlon.
A passion for artificial intelligence and a drive to solve complex problems have guided Valley Oaks Tehachapi valedictorian Warren Woolf to Stanford University, where he plans to help shape the future of emerging technology.
Thursday evening, middle and junior high school students took the stage in downtown Bakersfield at City Centre for the 41st annual Henry Greve Speech Contest, delivering passionate speeches centered on the prompt: “Is America Still the Land of Opportunity?”
For a decade, the sound of beeping eggs has signaled something special each spring in East Bakersfield. That tradition continued today as students, families, educators, and community partners gathered at the Police Activities League for the 10th Annual Audible Easter Egg Hunt. The event is designed to ensure that students with visual impairments can experience the excitement of a traditional egg hunt in an accessible, welcoming, and joyful way.
Precision, patience, and skill were on full display Saturday as school bus drivers from across the region gathered at the Kern County Superintendent of Schools (KCSOS) Service Center for the annual Bus Road-eo.
For more than a century, the Rio Bravo-Greeley Union School District (RBG) has served students on the rural outskirts of Bakersfield. What began in 1891 as a single-room shack with just sixteen students has evolved into a thriving district known for strong academics, deep community roots, and a culture where every student feels they belong.
Eight Kern County schools are earning statewide recognition after being named 2026 California Distinguished Schools, one of the highest honors a public school can receive. The designation highlights campuses that demonstrate strong student outcomes and innovative programs that help students succeed.
Bakersfield came alive last week as youth volunteers from across the region gathered for the first-ever California Service Corps Connections event held in Kern County.
A group of students from Wallace Middle School missed their long-awaited trip to Camp KEEP when the pandemic shut down the program in 2020. Years later, they returned — not as campers, but as high school counselors guiding a new generation of sixth graders through the same unforgettable coastal experience.
Students from across Kern County brought history to life during the 2026 Kern County History Day competition, showcasing months of research through documentaries, exhibits, performances, and more — all centered on this year’s theme, “Revolution, Reaction & Reform in History.”
Starting from the ground up, Fruitvale’s first Virtual Enterprise class turned a brand-new program into an award-winning experience while building real-world business skills.
Middle and high school students from across Kern County gathered Friday for a day of support, connection, and finding their voice at the 11th annual Youth Empowering Success (YES!) Conference at Bakersfield College. Each year, the conference brings together homeless and foster youth, educators, caregivers, and community partners for workshops, discussions, and activities centered on helping them succeed in school and beyond.
