Happy New Year, Hesperia Unified Families, Students, and Staff! 

Ringing in the new year always signifies an opportunity to reflect over the past year. New Year’s resolutions are commonplace and are capitalized on through advertising of health and fitness products at every turn. Rather than a resolution, I’d like to share the idea of pausing to celebrate and reset: choose something in the past year you are proud of and you’d like to celebrate and then choose one thing you’d like to give more focus to and reset your time and effort accordingly. As I reflect on the past year, I’d like to take a minute to celebrate the clear focus and evidence of progress in our district. According to the California Dashboard, our students have made progress in math, English, behaviors, and college and career readiness. Nearly 64% of our graduates have been identified by the state as exhibiting clear evidence of being ready for their futures, through state test scores (CAASPP), Career Technical Education pathway completion (CTE), meeting college entrance requirements (A-G), completing college coursework (dual enrollment and articulated courses) and Advanced Placement courses and test outcomes. We are exceeding state and county averages in these areas as well as leading the local region. For this, I pause to celebrate our students, families, and staff. Outcomes such as these are the culmination of everyone’s hard work along every step of the TK-12 journey. 

As I reflect on what needs a reset, I’m prioritizing my time and efforts in order to be out on our school sites more frequently. It’s important to me to get to know our students, staff, and families in order to be better prepared to provide the support that is needed and to celebrate their successes with them.

There are so many other celebrations in our district that it would be impossible to list them all here. Suffice it to say we have academic, athletic, music, art, e-sports, robotics, drama, mock trial, and cybersecurity accomplishments at our schools that demonstrate the breadth and depth of opportunities we are committed to providing for our students. Student attendance is up by nearly 2% and parent attendance and participation at events is at an all-time high. Thank you for your continued partnership and dedication to education. I am grateful and proud to be leading this district and partnering with this community. May the new year and new semester bring many more reasons to celebrate!

Dr. Michelle Smith

We have inspiring news about how your children are performing, Hesperia! The latest results from the California School Dashboard, released this past November, confirm what we already know: your students are achieving phenomenal success.

The results are a powerful testament to the tireless effort and dedication of students, parents, and the Hesperia Unified School District staff. From the classroom to the front office, our staff is committed to one ultimate goal: ensuring every student walks across that graduation stage ready for college and careers, whether it’s a four-year university, a trade school, or straight into a fulfilling career.

The record-breaking numbers speak for themselves, and they are incredible:

Graduation Rate Hits an All-Time High! The number of HUSD students earning their diplomas is consistently climbing. In the class of 2025, we proudly hit a stunning 95.1% Graduation Rate! That means nearly every student who started with us finished strong.

Today’s students for tomorrow’s world: Hard work is definitely paying off, as the HUSD College and Career Ready rate has significantly jumped! In 2025, a phenomenal 63.7% of our graduates were designated as College and Career Ready! This is a huge increase and a clear sign that the evolving curriculum, robust programs, and focused instruction are giving our students the competitive edge they need to thrive, fulfilling our mission.

This is more than just data; it’s a celebration of student potential being realized and the unstoppable commitment of our HUSD staff! We are building a community prepared for tomorrow's world, one graduate at a time!

The 25-26 HUSD Wrestling season has just begun holding meets, and the returning CIF Champion SHS Sultans are poised to be an extremely strong team as they are led by the two remaining Humphrey boys. The Humphrey family was also featured in a recent CIF Section Highlight TV spot, which you can see above. The District will be live-streaming the SHS vs HHS wrestling meet on 1/8/26 at SHS.

By: Khaleesi Cross, Silvia Cardenas, Aileen Arellano (6th Grade Students)

Two years ago, Hollyvale and Joshua Circle teamed up with San Bernardino County to focus on educating and supporting their communities to promote safety on their way to and from school.  The results are improved safety and a strong relationship between the schools and their families.  Below is an update on the programs as told by several of the amazing students involved.

Here at Hollyvale Innovation Academy, we partnered with San Bernardino County Safe Routes to School to help students and families feel safer and more confident walking or biking to campus. The program is all about keeping routes safe, getting kids moving, and making morning drop-off easier for the community.  We met at a nearby park where the Safe Routes team mapped out a safe path and walked with our families to school. It was a simple, positive way to build community and show students that getting to school on foot can actually be fun! 

The best part was hearing from our students about their experience:   Aubree M. was joined by her mom and little sisters: “My name is Aubree M. I loved going on the walk. I’d love to go on it again. I saw leaves, and it was windy. I loved the activities. It was so fun. I loved it.”  Juan P. liked the calm feel of the morning and getting to do it with family: “My name is Juan P., it was a nice morning, and it was fresh outside. When the school had the walk, I also went with my brothers. We got stickers at the start! We also played on the playground.”

Evelyn Alvarado said that she would love for Hollyvale to do another walk because she had so much fun! Kahmila L. talked about the early start, but also how worth it it was: “My name is Kahmila L. I liked how it was fun, and we had to wake up early, but it was fun and a great morning. I loved it, I wish more of my friends came, but I walked with my sister. I was holding the school bus and that was fun. I got to school later that day.”

Camila S. pointed out the best part, seeing friends and neighbors along the way: “My name is Camila S., and I think that walking to school was great, and I love walking. It was fun because I saw some of my friends, and they are my neighbors, so it was great… I think that we should do the Safe Routes to School walk again because it was so much fun, and I hope we do it again!”

On that morning walk, Safe Routes to School showed us a great opportunity to make our school feel more connected, help kids build healthy habits, and give families another option besides the car line. We’re glad so many families joined us, and we’re looking forward to doing it again soon.

Here at Joshua Circle, we learned how to cross the street in a safe way. The staff gave us instructions before we started. They told us to stop and look both ways before crossing the street. They also asked some other kids if they wanted to participate. A lot of kids joined, so we taught them things about why it’s important to know the rules for crossing the street. If you don’t know the rules, you can get into trouble or even have an accident. But if you do know the rules, you can stay safe and prevent something bad from happening.

The rules for crossing the street safely are simple: look both ways, listen, don’t run into the street, stop and look around, use the sidewalk, and cross quickly and safely. The most important rule is to just be safe.

The spooky season was in full effect in the Hesperia Unified School District for 2025! This year, our incredible middle schools once again outdid themselves, hosting their annual haunted house extravaganzas that brought students, staff, and the entire community together for nights of frightful fun and fantastic festivities. These events truly cement our schools as essential hubs for the community!

Ranchero Middle School's 13th Annual Haunted House: A Record-Breaking Scare!

Ranchero Middle School kicked off the scares on October 17, 2025, with their 13th Annual Haunted House, and it was nothing short of AMAZING! The excitement was palpable, with tickets selling out in the very first hour, a new record! The students and staff at RMS clearly outdid themselves, crafting their best Haunted House to date!

But the fun didn't stop there! The event was absolutely massive, featuring a plethora of sizzling food trucks, engaging carnival games, and special, non-scary trick-or-treating perfect for the younger community members. The turnout was truly jaw-dropping, with Ranchero packed wall-to-wall with enthusiastic Halloween fans! Way to go, Rattlers!

Cedar Middle School: Spartans Deliver Thrills and Atmosphere!

The scares continued with the 2025 Cedar Middle School Haunted House, and the Spartans certainly did not disappoint! The atmosphere was incredible, creating the perfect backdrop for a haunted house filled with tons of scares!

Cedar's event also featured really cool carnival games and delicious food available for purchase from all of their different clubs and dedicated parent groups. This effort not only provided great treats but also helped support the amazing activities within the school. Great work, Spartans, on a night of great food and frightening fun!

Hesperia Junior High School: Double the Fright, Double the Fun!

The terrifying trifecta wrapped up on October 24, 2025, with the Hesperia Junior High School Haunted House, and the Roadrunners were amazing! HJH upped the ante by featuring not just one, but TWO incredible haunted houses!

Beyond the double dose of fright, highlights of the Roadrunners' event included a cozy s'more area complete with campfires, the perfect spot to warm up after a scare, and awesome live band performances that kept the energy high! Add in great carnival games and food trucks, and you have a recipe for a perfect community evening! Fantastic job, HJH!

The video, featured above, is just a short glimpse into all the haunted houses.  For more pictures and videos from the events, please go to: tinyurl.com/RMSHHOct25  tinyurl.com/CMSHH25  or  tinyurl.com/HJHHH25

These three fantastic events were huge successes for the students and staff, serving as powerful, positive reminders of what we can achieve when we come together. They provided engaging experiences, showcased student creativity, and, most importantly, helped bring our Hesperia community together! We can't wait to see what spine-tingling surprises our middle schools dream up for next year!

HUSD is buzzing with activity as students prepare for the annual iExpo event, set to take place on March 14, 2026, at Sultana High School. The expo is designed to inspire the next generation of innovators and leaders by engaging students in open-ended challenges across a wide range of fields, including Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, Visual Arts, and more. This year, the district is excited to announce a new competition: the Fashion Design Challenge, adding a creative new avenue for K-12 students to showcase their talents.  Go to hesperiausd.org/page/iexpo to learn more.

General iExpo Challenges: The registration deadline for most competitions is February 20, 2026.

iCan Film Festival: Entries for the iCan Film Festival must be submitted earlier, by January 23, 2026.

While tackling these challenges, students hone essential 21st-century skills such as creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and communication. To recognize their hard work and ingenuity, student winners will be awarded well-deserved trophies and cash prizes, courtesy of the event's generous sponsor: Horace Mann Insurance.

The event is open to the public, and all are welcome. The iExpo is a cornerstone event for HUSD, embodying its commitment to "Preparing Today's Students for Tomorrow's World."  We hope to see you there!

Sultana High School’s Visual and Performing Arts Department produced “Little Shop of Horrors” October 15-18.  Carrie Kirk and Breanna Williams directed over 30 students in this year’s musical. Maverick Sherf, Taylor Grieger stole every one’s hearts as their characters, Seymour and Audrey found love on Skid Row.  Jaydin Carol and Justin Zane added their comedic humor in the roles of Mushnick and Dr. Skrivillo DDS. While Jaxon Rios and Izzy Arce “killed it” (pun intended) as the voice and puppeteer of Audrey 2. The entire cast was amazing singing and dancing as they brought Skid row to life on the Sultana Hall stage.

The technical crew ran the lights and sounds flawlessly.  Sultana has utilized Prop 28 money to update the tech booth and lighting with industry standard equipment. The students have learned to create amazing effects and problem solve as they run the booth.

The set, costumes and all 4 stages of Audrey 2 were created, built and up-cycled by the 5th productions class along side Advanced Art who added the life like texture to the Alien plant who came to take over the world.  One of the best parts was watching the largest of them devour the actors on stage.  Everyone wanted the chance to be swallowed by the giant plant so one rehearsal they took the opportunity to make their wish come true.

Mrs. Kirk says, “ I love watching the faces of my students when they finish a set and step back to look at it.  These young people have such talent and ability and heart, that I don’t think of it as work but a chance to share my love for the theater with them daily.  Every show I learn something new and it feels like every show is better than the last.”

Coming soon is “Steel Magnolias” January 15 & 16 and “The Outsiders” April 15-18.  

By: Madeleine Martinez (OHHS) Photos Courtesy: Jaylene Hernandez (OHHS)

It was quite eye-opening for me when I stepped into the Performing Arts Center at Oak Hills High School on December 3, 2025. It was my first time, along with my good friend and photographer, doing live media press at an event: Elementary eSports Community competition. 

This HUSD Elementary eSports Tournament included elementary schools throughout Hesperia Unified School District and in this season, students competed to play a Nintendo video game called Super Smash Bros. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners would receive an award. Thankfully, Horace Mann Insurance sponsored and provided cash prizes for this event.

Students, parents, and faculty from elementary schools across the High Desert attended the event to experience the impact firsthand. What I was met with was a loving, supportive community of the purest intent: to have fun.

Despite its association with recreational video game playing, E-Sports is a different thing entirely. It has been shown that eSports has fostered a community of both personal and academic growth. It goes beyond the image of ‘just playing video games’ and creates a place for healthy competition, team-building, and academic opportunity. While the eSports community has positive social benefits, it actually opens a lot of academic pathways for students. 

ESports has proven to have an incredibly positive impact on students, introducing them to STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) and coding. There are also many scholarships available for eSports competitors as they progress from elementary to high school levels.

Hesperia Unified School District’s Assistant Superintendent of Innovative Technology and Communication, Isaac Newman-Gomez, and Director of Information Technology, Michael Tepner, organize and manage the eSports events that different school sites host. The care and effort that have been put into these tournaments and in overseeing the event genuinely shows how they wanted the kids to feel welcome and included. 

Mr. Newman-Gomez explained that “the District’s all about engaging kids and involving and connecting them in their schools.”

Students from elementary schools all over the High Desert played video games for school. It was fun, but I saw these kids had the initiative to compete and build upon their skills for the next competition. Not only that, but the support I saw from everyone truly had an impact on the kids. 

April from the Mesquite Trails team told me that “it doesn’t matter if you lose or win, everyone has your back.” 

The fact that these kids feel the support coming from their community and the camaraderie their coaches have fostered really reflects on the excellent work Gomez and Tepner have put into Hesperia’s eSports.

Coaches and advisors can also speak on the community eSports has brought to students. 

Carmel’s eSports coach commented on the confidence and productivity the students have gained from the sport. Most importantly, he saw the genuine fun the kids were having, saying, “It’s all smiles, it’s all fun.” 

Best friends Jeremias and John, from Kingston Elementary, told me some advice they had gotten from playing: “Never give up, give it your 100%, and never give up.” 

“It’s also super fun,” John interjected.

And I’m not the only one who sees the incredibly positive impact eSports has brought to the elementary community. Parents see it too and are incredibly supportive of it. 

Laura Lopez, a mom and campus aid from Cypress Elementary, School of the Arts, spoke to me about the impact she’s seen firsthand. 

“The best part of it is the positivity that it brings to the atmosphere of the students,” she told me. 

She discussed the responsibility she has seen it bring to students as, at Cypress, eSport club players are required to show up to practice at 6:00 am. Yeah, AM. “It’s early risers, to be time efficient, to be organized, to be respectful, and mindful.”

ESports is not something to be taken lightly or to be tossed aside as simply playing video games. There are real-life benefits, academically and socially, that are seen and felt by students, faculty, and parents alike. 

ESports is unlike anything I have ever seen. The commitment and passion of those involved have curated the perfect outlet for these kids to learn, be responsible, support each other, and most importantly, have fun.

The Hesperia Unified School District is buzzing with pride as our recent student-athlete graduates are dominating at the collegiate level, proving that the foundation built in the High Desert prepares them for success anywhere! This wave of achievement is a testament to the HUSD athletics philosophy: fostering big-city athletic programs with a small-town feel, where personal connection and elite-level preparation go hand-in-hand.

A crucial element to this collegiate success is the relentless dedication our student-athletes show off the field and court. These student-athletes understood that a great education is the ultimate championship, a tool that will serve them long after their playing days are over. Their discipline in the classroom, matched only by their commitment to sport, is what truly opens the doors to top-tier universities and a secure future. Let's take a moment to catch up with a few of our student-athlete alumni.

(Image courtesy Stan State Basketball)

Get ready to cheer for a familiar HUSD duo! OHHS Bulldog alumni, class of '25, Mark Jones III, and HHS Scorpion alumni, class of '24, Antony Newman-Gomez, are now teammates for the California State Stanislaus Warriors men's basketball team! Both have already made key contributions to the Warriors’ strong start this season. Catch them in action as the Warriors take on Cal State Los Angeles this Thursday, 1/8/26, at 7:30 pm in LA or tune in to watch the game live on FloCollege! Go Warriors and Go HUSD!

(Image courtesy Sac State Volleyball)

Former OHHS Bulldog and the 24-25 HUSD Athlete of the Year, Keonahi'ilani Solaita, made an incredible splash in her debut season with the Cal State Sacramento Hornets volleyball team! Keona didn't just compete; she excelled, earning accolades that shocked the Big Sky Conference! She was named Player of the Week, Outstanding Freshman, and the Big Sky Freshman of the Year! Keona and the Hornets advanced into the postseason, taking down Portland State in a thrilling 5-set quarterfinal before ending their amazing run in a spectacular 5-set semifinal match against Northern Colorado, broadcast live on ESPN+! We couldn't be more proud of how Keona represents Hesperia with class and outstanding commitment!

(Image courtesy Washington Football)

The 2025 NCAA football season was capped off with a thrilling HUSD reunion at the "Bucked Up LA Bowl"! Former OHHS Bulldog teammates went head-to-head on the national stage when Paki Finau (#53 Washington Huskies, pictured above) faced off against Daylon Metoyer (#75 Boise State Broncos, pictured below) at SoFi Stadium and on ABC7.

(Image courtesy Boise State Football)

While it was Paki and the Huskies who took the victory with a 38-10 final score, the entire HUSD community had a blast cheering on both of our former Bulldogs! We eagerly await seeing them both back on the Gridiron next year! Go Huskies and Go Broncos!

(Image courtesy VVC wrestling)

The local success story continues with the Victor Valley College Rams wrestling squad, who recently clinched their 3rd consecutive SEWCA Conference Championship! This powerhouse team is loaded with HUSD alumni, boasting 12 former wrestlers on the roster! State-ranked HUSD wrestlers Paulo Valdez (HHS, pictured above) and Rocky Humphrey Jr. (SHS, pictured below) led the team to victory. The VVC Rams roster includes HHS alumni: Dylan Garcia, Ryan Garcia, Chris Guerrero, Dane Holm, Angel Salgado, Chris Sautter, & Jeff Truitt; SHS alumni: Brandon Men & Noah Villatoro; and MHS alumni: Elijah Gonzalez. A massive congratulations to all the Rams wrestlers on this incredible accomplishment!

(Image courtesy VVC wrestling)

These outstanding young men and women are just a few recent examples of the hundreds of HUSD student-athletes from a myriad of sports that have blazed the same trail. They are all living proof that the Hesperia Unified School District is an elite launching pad for both athletic and academic careers. We can't wait to see what they accomplish next!

By: Mesquite Trails & Lime St. Students

By: Ariana Payne & Milan Golden (6th Grade Lime St.)

The Great ShakeOut is a drill that all schools in California do at the same time. We learned that it helps everyone practice what to do if there is ever a real earthquake. When we talked about it, a lot of us already knew some things. Ariana said earthquakes “could impact areas in California,” so she thinks practicing is important. Hailey said earthquakes can be “short or long,” and that is why we need to know what to do.

A lot of us said earthquakes can be dangerous. Micah wrote that they are “highly dangerous and can happen anytime.” Bryan said things can fall during earthquakes, which can be scary. Xavier said the drill helps him feel “more prepared, more safe, and more comfortable.”

Some of us mentioned facts we learned before. Natalie said earthquakes happen because “two plates on the earth move.” Benjamin said the ShakeOut helps us get ready for “serious situations.” Alexis and Sofia said they know it is important to stay calm.

Most of us agreed that doing the drill together helps us feel ready. Milan said earthquakes “can be big or small,” and that is why learning what to do each year makes everyone feel more prepared.

(A student pretends to be injured to help staff complete the earthquake disaster drill)

By: Emery Trott & Jonathan Davidson (3rd Grade Mesquite Trails) 

What I did at the Great Shakeout was go under my desk for a few minutes. We waited until it was safe to come out. We stayed outside. The teachers said it was safe and okay to go back in the classroom after they all did their jobs looking for any injured students.

The S in SOAR stands for safe, and that is one of the main priorities of Mesquite Trails. We have proctors that keep us safe on the playground. Our teachers don’t let us watch random stuff on YouTube. That is how Mesquite Trails keeps us safe.

(A student works with staff to help complete the earthquake disaster drill)

By: Xavier Leanos & Benjamin Garcia (6th Grade Lime St.)

When we did the drill at Lime Street, we noticed that everyone tried hard to take it seriously. As soon as it started, most classes got quiet quickly. Milan said, “We were all calm and walking quietly in a level line.” She also said that when everyone stays calm, it helps the whole school move together and makes the drill feel more like real practice and not just something we are told to do. Ariana said her class stayed respectful and listened the whole time. Sofia said everyone “walked out quietly,” which made everything go smoother.

After the drill, we talked about how we felt. Xavier said he felt “more prepared, more comfortable, more safe.” Hailey said she felt “safer and ready.” Benjamin said he felt prepared if a real earthquake ever happened. Bryan said he felt “prepared.” Natalie said it helped her feel “more confident in myself.”

Some people were honest and said it was a little scary. Micah said he felt scared. Alexis said she felt “scared and nervous.” We talked about how it can feel scary to practice for emergencies, but doing the drill still helps us learn what to do.

We also had ideas to make the drill even better next time. Alexis, Natalie, and Sofia thought maybe some kids could pretend to be “hurt” so teachers could practice helping them. Hailey said we could try being less loud when we move. Milan said we can always work on staying calm.

In the end, we were proud of how we did as a school. Milan said, “We stayed calm, and that is something we did really well.” She also said that staying calm is the first step in helping other people feel safe too, and the rest of us agreed.

(A student pretends to be injured to help staff complete the earthquake disaster drill)

By: Mason Maloney (5th Grade Mesquite Trails)

Fire drills help us learn how to get to safety from fire. At Mesquite Trails, we go to the grass, line up in designated spots, and we stay out there until the admins say it’s safe to go back to class. We do these a lot. Code Red, the admins check all the doors, lights off, we stay quiet, and we do this to stay safe from intruders. Over the announcements, we are told that the school is safe, and we may resume class. We do this like five times a year. In the Great Shakeout, we go under our desks and wait until everything is over. We go out to the grass, and the teachers make sure everyone is there and okay. The adults get into teams and look for the injured kids, help parents find their children, and then we go back to class when everything is safe. 

By: Gabby Mejia, Teagan Murray, Marilyn Chavez, and Emily Rivera (HJH Students)

Here at HJH, our students are looking forward to a new beginning this year. We talked to students and staff at both Hesperia Jr. High and Cypress about their goals and New Year’s resolutions, and what they have and want to improve upon. They are hopeful for the New Year, grateful for another year that has passed, and excited for another one to come. This New Year, we can all get a fresh start and brand new opportunities. Most students were excited about starting the New Year.

 At HJH, we asked students and staff what their New Year's resolutions would be. Michelle Vasquez (8th) from HJH said, “My New Year's resolution is going to be to try and be more friendly. I plan to fulfill my goal by thinking more optimistically.”  Sadie Goswick (7th) said, “I have improved since last year by learning how to connect with people in ways that work with everyone. My New Year's resolution will be to bring my grades to at least A's. I plan to be successful next year by focusing on my future.” Another student, David Orozco (8th) said, “My main focus for this year and hopefully through high school as well is to maintain a 4.0 (GPA). Some of my milestones this year are making the school's basketball team, being the top ten fastest runners in cross country.” Yesenia Cervantes, a counselor at HJH, said, “My New Year’s resolution is to slow down, enjoy life a little more, and stay consistent with my workouts. I want to read more, go on hikes, feel healthier, stress less, and make more fun memories with my kids while taking better care of myself.” Ms. Portillo, a 7th-grade social studies and ELA teacher, said, “HJH is really good at building connections with students; whether it’s a teacher, campus aide, custodian, etc, the staff on campus really do go that extra step in making sure our students are supported and heard.” 

Next door at Cypress, students and staff alike are also preparing to ring in a new year. Gabriella Santos (3rd) from Cypress said, “My New Year’s resolutions are going to be learning a back walkover, improving pitching in softball, and improving my multiplication. I  plan to complete my resolutions by stretching, practicing, and getting help from my teacher.” Another student from Cypress, Caleb Bottom (6th), said that he wants “to be better mentally and physically by cutting out all bad influences. ” Mrs. Green, a teacher from Cypress, said, “My New Year's resolution is to go on more family trips. I hope to improve my work-life balance.” Harper Nealy (4th), said, “It would be to focus better in class, and get good grades by telling myself to pay attention. I am trying to make myself a better person”. Everly Grimble (1st) said, “I want to get good grades and be a good friend. And do really great at the school play.” Skler Nealy (Kinder) said she wants, “to keep improving in soccer by playing soccer, kicking the ball, and protecting the ball. I have already gotten better at writing.”

We make New Year's resolutions because we hope to improve upon things and see how far we have grown in the past year. We make New Year’s resolutions so we can try to help ourselves improve, both for ourselves and the others that surround us. We strive to help ourselves improve, whether that be mentally, physically, or emotionally. They help us to see where we’ve developed in the past year. We wish the best for the students and staff from Hesperia Jr. High and Cypress in completing their resolutions. Hesperia Jr. High would like to wish everyone a happy New Year.

The Oak Hills High School Marching Band finished off their 2025 competitive season on a high note, finishing 3rd at the Southern California Championships at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach, California. The competition took place on Saturday, November 22nd.   The group competed in the SCSBOA 3A division.  Out of 30 other bands in the division, they finished in the top 12 and were invited to the finals competition in Long Beach.  At finals, the group finished in 3rd place, beating out several other top-rated groups from throughout Southern California.

The group is led by band director Raymond Moreno and student leaders and drum majors Suzzie Marquez and Yara Vargas.  This marks the second year in a row that the OHHS Band has finished in the top 3 in their division.   It also caps off a successful season in which the group won several first-place and sweepstakes awards at competitions in San Diego, Van Nuys, Long Beach, Riverside, Hacienda Heights, and Ontario.    This year, the group performed a show titled “Color Vision,” which featured brightly colored uniforms with television-themed music and props.  The show was a crowd favorite all year long. "We continue to be incredibly proud of our Bulldog Brigade Marching Band program. With the excellent leadership of Raymond Moreno, the Bulldog Marching Band, Colorguard, Drumline, and Winds have far exceeded all expectations and made us all beyond proud!! Good Bulldog Brigade!” said Principal Michael Capps, praising the Bulldog Brigade and their accomplishments.

On 10/24/25, Sultana High School hosted the 30th annual Key game between the Sultana Sultans and the Hesperia Scorpions. The game was an amazing, high-scoring game! The Sultans came in with a 15-14 lead in the history of the series and held the lead most of the way, but the Scorpions battled back for a come-from-behind 33-28 win to tie the series at 15-15. Senior Scorpion Zamar Malveaux also won the Cane's Chicken Fingers Player of the Game. Special thanks to Cane's @raisingcanes for sponsoring the livestream. The Scorpions went on to have a great season and went all the way to the CIF semi-finals! Congrats to Zamar and all of the Scorpions!

Name: Delilah Garcia
School: Eucalyptus Elementary School
Grade: 2nd

Name: Valentina Gonzalez
School: Hesperia High School
Grade: 10th

For more info on our Student of the Month and past winners please visit our website: https://www.hesperiausd.org/page/student-of-the-month

Thank you to the HUSD Student of the Month/Year community sponsor, Victorville Motors. To learn more please go to: victorvillemotors.com

Name: Dylan Leon
School: Ranchero Middle School
Grade: 8th
Sport: Volleyball

Name: Paulino Acosta-Arellano
School: Sultana High School
Grade: 12th
Sport: Soccer

For more info on our Student Athlete of the Month and past winners please visit our website: https://www.hesperiausd.org/page/student-athlete-of-the-month

Thank you to the HUSD Student Athlete of the Month/Year community sponsor, Erickson-Hall Construction. To learn more please go to: https://ericksonhall.com/

1/8/26 HHS @ SHS Wrestling (Live Streamed Event)

1/16/26 OHHS @ HHS Basketball (Live Streamed Event)

1/19/26 Martin Luther King Jr. Day

2/9/26 Presidents' Day

2/16/26 Lincoln's Birthday

3/2/26 Read Across America Day

3/14/26 iExpo @ Sultana High School

3/23/26-3/27/26 Spring Break

4/15/26 Elementary (Mario Kart) eSports Tournament @ HHS

4/29/26 Secondary (Overwatch) eSports Tournament @ HUSDIT

5/25/26 Memorial Day

5/28/26 Last Day of School

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