South Junior High School Engages Students Through Gameplay, Earns Civic Learning Award of Excellence

Orange County's South Junior High School earned its second Civic Learning Award of Excellence, the highest honor in civic education in California. The school earned the prestigious award for its innovative and replicable civic engagement programs and for its broad inclusion of students in civic learning. This year marks its ninth Civic Learning Award overall since 2016.

On September 28, students and parents celebrated with award co-sponsor Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero. Judges from the Superior Court of Orange County, Anaheim Union High School District administrators, and members of the board of trustees were also in attendance to see the models that brought in the awards program's highest honor.

First, a group of 40 students received their official "South Senate" shirts, before taking their seats to discuss and vote on a topic of importance to the student body they represent. Students discussed several school issues, with the goal of selecting one to collectively address during the school year. Teacher Jason Collar led them through the decision-making process, encouraging students to talk about steps necessary to find solutions to the selected issue. This year, students decided to push for air-conditioning to be installed in the gymnasium. Last year, South Senate decided to push for the installation of modern filtered water fountains across campus, including in locker rooms and the gymnasium.

After their issue was selected, students stood for the oath of office administered by Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero. Before students returned to class, she answered questions and spoke of her pathway into law. She reflected on sharing similar backgrounds with the South Senators and encouraged them to use their experiences at South Junior High School as inspiration to pursue their dreams.

"Each student has the capacity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others," Chief Justice Guerrero said. "It is clear that you're all gaining the confidence and leadership skills needed to identify and solve issues that matter to you, to your school, and to the broader community."

After the awards ceremony, Collar brought the judges and guests to an e-sports classroom to witness Civic Design in Minecraft Education in action. The program integrates civic education with project-based Minecraft gameplay, an activity described in South Junior High School's award application since 2023. Since then, the program has evolved and is now being replicated across the Anaheim Union High School District and in other counties.

In 2027, the Orange County Office of Education will host "Battle of the Counties," a statewide civic and e-sports competition for California K

More details about the competition are available at LevelUpCivicsFoundation.org.

"The fact that South has earned this distinction twice, it speaks to something important about who we are," Principal Yolanda Mejia said. "Civic learning is not an isolated program or something that happens in one classroom. It is part of the fabric of our school."