Victor Martinez from Nogales High School was awarded the prestigious GATES Scholarship, a full scholarship for the cost of attendance to the college of his choice. He will be attending Northwestern University to study Engineering.

For the 10th time, the prestigious Gates Scholarship has been awarded to a Nogales High School senior in the Rowland Unified School District. Victor Martinez was chosen for this highly selective, last-dollar scholarship for outstanding minority students that provides funding for the full cost of attendance to the college of their choice. The Gates Scholarship includes tuition, fees, room, board, books, transportation, and other potential personal costs. In addition, the scholarship provides mentoring and networking resources for their entire college experience through graduation and the transition to their chosen careers.

“I was at my aunt’s house on Easter when I checked my phone and saw the headline GATES and Congratulations. I rushed outside to share with my parents and the rest of my family this incredible opportunity,” said Martinez, who lives in La Puente. “What I am most excited about is now I don’t have to worry about finances when choosing my college and I can go to any of the colleges I was accepted to and graduate debt free!”

And what choices this amazing young scholar has, accepted to Northwestern, Notre Dame, UCLA, and wait-listed at Yale and Stanford. Martinez is thrilled with his selection of Northwestern, one of the country’s top research and teaching institutions and looks forward to exploring a new state he has never travelled to.

With his mind attuned to mathematics from an early age, Martinez plans to study engineering with a focus on mechanical or civil engineering. He believes his passion for all things technical is thanks to his father who is in the construction trade.

"Victor is one the rarest scholars I’ve had the pleasure of mentoring. He embodies a kind of excellence that doesn’t demand attention, but inevitably earns it," said Ricardo Ramirez, Nogales High School's College and Career Director. "There is a quiet self-assurance and poise that I rarely see in students his age. It seems rooted not only in his innate confidence but also in the grounding influence of his faith. What sets him apart from other equally gifted students is the way he navigates challenges; he does so calmly, pragmatically, and without the anxious intensity that often accompanies high achievement. His composure in the most stressful moments is both striking and deeply admirable. This will take him far as he prepares to embark on a rigorous journey." Click to read more...

This is Certificated Appreciation Week and we want to recognize and say thank you to all of the outstanding educators across the Rowland Unified School District

who make a difference every day in the lives of our students. We honor you!

District Teacher of the Year: Stephanie Vidal Ayers from Ybarra Academy at her surprise announcement pictured below with the RUSD Board of Education.

Congratulations to the District Teacher of the Year, Stephanie Vidal Ayers from Ybarra Academy! Ms. Ayers is an exceptional educator whose dedication and passion for teaching shines through in all she does. She creates a welcoming, supportive classroom where students feel valued, heard, and encouraged to succeed. Stephanie builds a strong sense of community, empowering students to take risks and support one another, where students develop a love for learning and grow academically and personally.  We are excited to feature her in the Rowland Unified Spotlight Video below!

RUSD SPOTLIGHT VIDEO on

Stephanie Ayers, 4th Grade Teacher at Ybarra Academy of Arts and Technology - Rowland Unified School District Teacher of the Year for 2025-26.

A special thanks to Rowland Unified News (RUN) Student News Reporters from Ybarra Academy: Emma Cosio and Lea Sabalburo who reported on the scene from the suprise announcement and assisted with interviews of Ms. Ayers.

Yesterday Channel 4 Morning News featured RUSD's District Teacher of the Year, Stephanie Ayers! Click to view the segment!

The stars of Rowland Unified were celebrated at the RUSD Employee of the Year Recognition Dinner on May 1 at the Sheraton Fairplex. Classified and certificated employees of the year from each school site and district departments were honored by the Rowland Unified Board of Education in a beautiful evening under the stars. There were even paparazzi – our very own RUSD Student News Reporters – who captured photos and interviewed staff as they arrived and walked the red carpet!

A special thank you goes to the fabulous Jellick Jaguar duo and Masters of Ceremonies for the evening: Jellick Elementary Office Manager Lita Gallo and Jellick Elementary Teacher Nancy Buck. We also want to thank string students from both Nogales and Rowland High Schools who performed, along with the RUN (Rowland Unified News) Student News Reporters who were on the scene: Brandon De Anda (Jellick Elementary), Ethan De Anda (Rowland High School), Bryanna Valdez (Alvarado Intermediate), Dannie Munoz and Jesus Quiroz (Santana High School), and Christopher Serrano (Nogales High School).

Congratulations to ALL of RUSD’s outstanding employees and for the work they do every day for all of our students.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE RUSD SITE EMPLOYEES OF THE YEAR (Video Produced by RUN Student Team)

Rorimer Elementary students learn about water conservation in the Wyland Mobile Science Lab thanks to a grant from Rowland Water District. Above: Students get ready to experience in the theater the "Journey to Earth" video, where students assume the roles of scientists from another galaxy sent to Earth to learn about its oceans and waterways.

Rorimer students explore hands-on interactive stations to learn about water management, water sheds and the water cycle.

Students were squealing and there were tons of “oohs” and “awwhs” as Rorimer Elementary students boarded the Wyland Mobile Science Lab. Famed marine life artist and muralist Wyland created his Wyland Foundation to educate students on water and ocean conservation by developing STEM-based programs that blend art and science to inspire communities to protect the environment.

Thanks to a grant from Rowland Water, Rorimer Elementary students had the opportunity to dive into the 1,000 square foot mobile science laboratory for a unique exploration into water conservation. The laboratory on wheels featured a 4-D multi-sensory theater and six interactive stations where students learned about water conservation, sustainability and the impact water availability and quality has on our daily lives.

RUSD Board of Education with Walnut Valley Water District Board of Directors Theresa Lee, Scarlett Kwong and Henry Woo.

In May of each year, the State of California acknowledges and celebrates Water Awareness Month to support efforts to help Californians "Use Water Wisely." The Board of the Rowland Unified School District adopted last night a resolution to recognize Water Awareness Month with the Walnut Valley Water District, to educate students, staff, and the community on the importance of protecting our most vital natural resource for future generations.

May 9, 2025 Issue RUSD News Editor gward@rowlandschools.org