More than 460 Orange County student innovators submitted 206 prototypes designed to address real-world challenges as part of the annual ocMaker Challenge. Thirty-seven teams from 20 schools earned first- through third-place awards and 16 special awards presented before an audience of more than 300 attendees.
More than 330 student-created artworks and film projects representing schools across Orange County will be featured in the 2026 Festival of Arts Junior Art Exhibit in Laguna Beach.
Four teams representing Orange County schools earned top placements at the 2026 United States Academic Pentathlon National Finals in Nashville, Tennessee, including a national championship for McGarvin Intermediate School’s seventh-grade team.
Sixty-eight AVID 8th Grade Standouts representing schools across 15 Orange County districts were recognized May 13 at Angel Stadium. Eight students were also named 2026 Angels Scholars, earning $10,000 college scholarships through the Angels Baseball Foundation.
Sunburst Youth Academy paraeducator Raelene Velasquez was recognized in Sacramento on May 20 as one of California’s 2026 Classified School Employees of the Year and as the state’s nominee for the national RISE Award.
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.
