A sophomore from Ocean View High School in the Huntington Beach Union High School District is defying stereotypes and making history.
Isis Salazar scored a touchdown during the fourth quarter of a varsity football game against Temecula Prep, making her the first female at Ocean View High and only the second girl in Orange County to tackle this feat.
According to a recent article in the Orange County Register, Salazar went out for the football team this season and earned a spot on the varsity as a backup running back although she had no football experience.
“I’m an athlete, and I come from an athletic family,” Salazar told the Register. “My mom and my dad and my siblings always play sports. We’re always watching sports on TV.”
While many young women have played varsity football in Orange County and have scored extra points and field goals, Salazar told the Register she wanted a position. And according to her coach, she’s earned the opportunity.
Here are some other stories we’ve been tracking this week:
- EdSource recently released a “quick guide” to universal transitional kindergarten, which will soon allow all 4-year-olds in California to enroll in publicly-funded school for free, regardless of income.
- California’s two largest school districts — Los Angeles and San Diego — are targeted in lawsuits challenging student COVID-19 vaccination mandates, reports the Los Angeles Times.
- Of California’s 319,000 public school teachers, five have been named 2022 California Teachers of the Year — and two are from classrooms here in Orange County.
- In related news, superintendents in some districts across California are concerned about the potential for declining enrollment and increased staffing shortages due to proposed vaccine mandates, EdSource reports.
- OCDE’s popular environmental education program Inside the Outdoors is partnering with the Municipal Water District of Orange County to provide free water education programs to elementary, middle and high students across the county.
- An 11-year-old from the Fullerton School District recently caught the attention of Spectrum News 1 for taking his passion for chemistry and sharing it with the world.
- Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation making California the first state to require all students to complete a semester-long course in ethnic studies to earn a high school diploma. The mandate will take effect starting with the graduating class of 2029-30.
- A panel of diverse voices this week shared their personal stories and discussed the cultures, contributions and histories of Latino-identified communities during a virtual forum hosted by County Superintendent Dr. Al Mijares in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.
- And finally, California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced the leaders of a new task force to improve Black student achievement. The task force will look at issues like diversifying the teacher workforce, reducing chronic absenteeism, addressing segregation in school districts and reducing suspensions and expulsions.
This is the part where we encourage you to keep up with local education news stories by bookmarking the OCDE Newsroom, subscribing for emailed updates and following us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.