From left, Rebekah Rylant of Don Juan Avila Middle School in the Capistrano Unified School District, Rolando Vivar of Fulton Middle School in the Fountain Valley School District and Pam McShea of Dysinger Elementary School in the Centralia Elementary School District were recognized with 2025-26 Outstanding PAL Advisor Awards from the Orange County Department of Education. 
Students and staff from Fred Newhart Middle School in the Capistrano Unified School District celebrate after receiving a 2025-26 Outstanding PAL Program Award from the Orange County Department of Education. 
Students and staff from George B. Miller Elementary School in the Centralia Elementary School District pose for a photo after receiving a 2025-26 Outstanding PAL Program Award from the Orange County Department of Education. 
Students and staff from Ladera Ranch Middle School in the Capistrano Unified School District are recognized with a 2025-26 Outstanding PAL Program Award from the Orange County Department of Education. 
Students and staff from Davis Magnet School in the Newport-Mesa Unified School District pose for a photo after receiving a 2025-26 Outstanding PAL Program Award from the Orange County Department of Education.
Quick look: Six school-based Peer Assistance Leadership programs and three advisors were recognized by the Orange County Department of Education for promoting school environments that are safe, inclusive and supportive for students.
Six school-based Peer Assistance Leadership programs and three advisors received surprise visits in May from the Orange County Department of Education for promoting school environments that are caring, inclusive and supportive for students.
Coordinated by OCDE’s Youth Development Programs team, the PAL initiative empowers students in grades four through 12 to serve as positive campus leaders through peer mentoring, service learning and student-led outreach activities. Since its launch in 1980, the program has encouraged student-led efforts to promote peer connection and well-being while addressing issues such as bullying, mental health awareness, substance use prevention and positive behavior.
PAL may be implemented as a club, class or leadership component, and participating students receive training in communication, collaboration, problem-solving and other essential life skills. PAL outreach projects often align with school district Local Control and Accountability Plans by supporting school engagement and cultivating positive campus climates.
“The OCDE PAL team is inspired by the trained student leaders who represent 157 active PAL programs,” Deirdre Hill, OCDE project liaison for Youth Development Programs, said. “Judging applications is a challenge. We congratulate the programs being recognized for going above and beyond in their work supporting inclusive and positive school communities.”
The 2025-26 Outstanding PAL Program Award recipients and Outstanding PAL Advisor Award recipients are:
Outstanding PAL Program Award honorees
- Davis Magnet School, Newport-Mesa Unified School District
- Fred Newhart Middle School, Capistrano Unified School District
- George B. Miller Elementary School, Centralia Elementary School District
- Ladera Ranch Middle School, Capistrano Unified School District
- Marco Forster Middle School, Capistrano Unified School District
- Robert Gisler Elementary School, Fountain Valley School District
Outstanding PAL Advisor Award recipients
- Pam McShea, Dysinger Elementary School, Centralia Elementary School District
- Rebekah Rylant, Don Juan Avila Middle School, Capistrano Unified School District
- Rolando Vivar, Fulton Middle School, Fountain Valley School District
In addition to the in-person recognitions, OCDE’s Media Services team produced a video announcement of the honorees, which can be viewed below.
For more information about the PAL program, contact Deirdre Hill at dhill@ocde.us or visit ocde.us/pal.