Chief Justice Honors Riverside’s Norte Vista High School for Excellence in Civics

During Constitution Week, Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero visited Norte Vista High School in Riverside County to present the 2025 Civic Learning Award of Excellence.

The Civic Learning Award, now in its twelfth year, is co-sponsored by the Chief Justice and the State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond. Schools awarded at this top level receive their award in person from the Chief Justice. Honorees are invited to a larger awards celebration organized by the California Department of Education at the end of the school year.

As one of three visits planned for Constitution Month, Norte Vista offered guests a show-and-tell featuring presentations about student-initiated community service projects created by the students.

Students described programs like Bilingual Academic Tutor Support (BATS), which pairs high school students with nearby elementary students struggling to learn English. They showcased their Freezer Meals program, which provides nutritious frozen meals for families in need. The school is also a Riverside County voting site, hosting poll worker training and elections with student staff. In 2024, over 100 students worked the polls, and the school reported its highest voter turnout in eight election cycles.

In total, students perform nearly 20,000 service hours each year.

"I reviewed Norte Vista's application and was deeply impressed," said Chief Justice Guerrero. "But hearing directly from the students about what these opportunities mean to them-that's what is truly inspiring. It's why, year after year, we continue to sponsor this awards program. We want to celebrate schools that support their students and help them make a difference in their communities."

Norte Vista High School has received the Civic Learning Award at various levels every year since 2022. Each year, teacher Amanda Bush has submitted details outlining the six proven practices for effective civic learning. This year, evidence that included the measured impact and student leadership brought them the highest honor. Further, each example came back to the support of Principal Jason Marquez.

"There's no one certain student who is asked to serve," Bush said. "We're a community that is not often asked to serve, because we're a community that needs a lot. But we are also a community that provides a lot."

Dr. Reggie Thompkins, Alvord Unified School District Superintendent lauded their efforts, and the fact that the programs are run by the students themselves. "They stepped up without anyone telling them what to do," he said. "They stepped up because they want to do something for the betterment of others."

The Chief Justice was accompanied by jurists from the Riverside County Superior Court. Administrative Presiding Justice Judith McConnell was also there to meet and talk with students and present the award.

"By being here in person, it helps us think creatively about how to connect the courts as support agents in the community," said Justice McConnell, who has led of the Chief Justice's Power of Democracy Civic Learning Initiative for more than a decade. "And I'm thoroughly impressed with the coordination and support demonstrated today, it is quite remarkable. They truly deserve this top honor."

As Chief Justice Guerrero presented the Civic Learning Award of Excellence, she thanked the students for their leadership. "You're the heart of these programs," she said. "It's your voices and your leadership that keep our democracy strong."

A list of all schools honored since 2013 is available on the Chief Justice's Power of Democracy Civic Learning Initiative website powerofdemocracy.org. Applications are posted in February and announced on Law Day, May 1.