Orosi High Recognized For Academic Achievement

Orosi High School has received the gold ribbon from California’s Department of Education. It recognizes the school for its rigorous academic programs, an award the school hasn’t received since 1990.

There are over 1,000 students at Orosi High School. Almost 100% of them come from low income families and face many challenges economically but through academic achievement, 33% of them will be continuing their education at a four year university.

"These are students that that believed, these are students that are taking advantage of the educational system for a better tomorrow," Orosi High School Principal Roberto Vaca said.

Students whose parents work in the fields or in low paying jobs. Only a little over 50 percent of them graduated high school, but with a GPA higher than a 4.0 Nancy Alcaras and Joshua Pascua are making their parents proud.

With a full ride to UCLA, Nancy won’t have to worry about any expenses. Tuition, dorm fees, a laptop and books will all be paid for. A lot more than she ever imagined. "It’s a relief knowing it has been paid for through all the hard work I’ve done," Alcaraz said.

Joshua is another student who will be following his dreams, as an immigrant child from the Philippines at age four, he faced many challenges. For him, a higher education was more important. He now has a 4.2 and will be attending Fresno State in hopes to become a personal trainer and open up a gym.

And while the staff is educating minds and inspiring futures, students are encouraged to dream big, work hard and give back.

Orosi High School’s 2015 graduating class has about 185 students, the graduation will happen on June 4th.