South Pasadena Unified Tidbits (Photo – ColoradoBlvd.net)
From award-winning performances to immersive learning experiences, SPUSD students are embracing every opportunity to grow, excel, and connect with the world around them.
By News Desk
Here’s a look at some of the latest standout moments across the district!
SPHS Marching Band and Color Guard representatives receive their awards during a recent Western Band Association competition (Photo – Tim Orindgreff)
SPHS Marching Band and Color Guard Shine at Competition
The South Pasadena High School (SPHS) Marching Band and Color Guard launched their season with a stellar showing, earning second place in the 1A division at their first Western Band Association competition on October 18, 2025, held at Vista Murrieta High School. In addition to their impressive placement, the ensemble received the prestigious High Music Award, recognizing their exceptional musical performance. With three more competitions ahead, the students are poised for a strong finish to the season.
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SPMS 7th graders act as witnesses, prosecutors, and defense attorneys during a recent mock trial overseen by Judge Danielle Colón O’Sullivan (Photo – SPUSD)
SPMS 7th Graders Take on Courtroom Drama in Mock Trial
Ashley Clark’s 7th-grade honors English class at South Pasadena Middle School received a hands-on introduction to the legal system by transforming their classroom into a courtroom. Inspired by their reading of Tangerine by Edward Bloor, students took on roles as prosecutors, defense attorneys, jurors, and even the judge in a mock trial of a character charged as an accessory to murder. Special thanks to Judge Danielle Colón O’Sullivan for helping determine the trial’s outcome and offering students valuable real-world legal insight.
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SPHS French students & teacher Deborah Mogel outside of the Directors Guild of America during a field trip (Photo – Shelee Luna)
SPHS French Students Attend West Coast Premiere of ‘Nouvelle Vague’
On October 30, 2025, advanced French students from SPHS attended the American French Film Festival at the Directors Guild of America in Los Angeles. Sponsored by the South Pasadena Educational Foundation (SPEF), the students had the unique opportunity to view the West Coast premiere of Nouvelle Vague, a film directed by Richard Linklater that pays homage to the iconic New Wave cinema, particularly Jean-Luc Godard’s Breathless. The experience was further enriched by a Q&A session with producer Michèle Halberstadt, deepening students’ appreciation of both film and language.
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Eighth-grade Spanish 1-2 students decorate sugar skulls to celebrate Day of the Dead (Photo -SPUSD)
SPMS Students Embrace Día de los Muertos Traditions
SPMS 8th graders in Mrs. Leon’s Spanish 1-2 class recently explored the rich traditions of Día de los Muertos, Mexico’s Day of the Dead celebration. Through group slideshow presentations on traditional foods, decorations, and cultural beliefs, students deepened their understanding of this meaningful holiday. They also crafted and decorated sugar skulls with vibrant frostings and sequins, embracing the spirit of honoring and remembering loved ones who have passed.
These recent experiences highlight the diverse and enriching opportunities available to SPUSD students, fostering creativity, critical thinking, and global awareness across every grade level.
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