Battle of the Books (Photo – PUSD)
Students across the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) are demonstrating achievement and creativity through a series of recent academic events, highlighting strengths in reading, leadership, and STEM education.
By News Desk
At Marshall Secondary School, students recently showcased their literary knowledge in the district’s “Battle of the Books” competition. After reading an extensive list of 14 books, participants competed in a live trivia challenge held in the school library. The event celebrated both academic dedication and a shared enthusiasm for reading.
Top honors went to Octavia E. Butler Magnet, which earned the gold medal, followed by Thurgood Marshall Secondary School with silver, and Eliot Arts Magnet with bronze. District officials also recognized school librarians for their role in coaching students and fostering a love of literature.
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Meanwhile, more than 110 PUSD high school students gathered at Pasadena City College for the second annual youth conference, Leaders of Change: Cultivating the Next Generation of Trailblazers. The event featured student-led panels focusing on empathy, systems change, and the importance of student voice in shaping school communities.
With opening remarks from PCC President Gomez and a keynote address by PUSD alumna Nikki High, students were encouraged to see themselves as agents of change. Through initiatives like the PUSD Student Think Tank and Assembly, participants continue to play an active role in influencing district decisions and improvements.
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At the elementary level, innovation is already taking root. At Washington Elementary STEM Magnet, second-grade students are engaging in a hands-on project to design and expand sustainable cities. During the first trimester, students focused on city planning, balancing environmental protection, resource management, and community needs.
In the current trimester, their projects have evolved into interactive economies, with students creating goods and operating markets where they buy, sell, and trade. The exercise builds real-world skills in collaboration, problem-solving, and global awareness, reflecting the school’s emphasis on STEM education, environmental studies, and world language development.
Across all grade levels, these initiatives underscore PUSD’s commitment to cultivating well-rounded students prepared to think critically, lead confidently, and engage meaningfully with their communities.
Second annual youth conference “Leaders of Change: Cultivating the Next Generation of Trailblazers” (Photo – PUSD)
Washington Elementary STEM Magnet students are engaging in a hands-on project to design and expand sustainable cities (Photos – PUSD)
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