Meet the 2026 Linked Learning Students of the Year
In a highlight of Linked Learning Conference 2026, the Alliance joined education leaders from across California to celebrate a set of exceptional students in a ceremony also recognizing newly Gold and Silver Certified Linked Learning Pathways.
Linked Learning Students of the Year demonstrate civic excellence through their pathway experiences and are nominated for this honor by educators and partners in their communities.
“In our 20th anniversary year, we reflected on two decades of difference. That includes the difference we’ve made as a field in the lives of students during a formative time—and the difference that Linked Learning students themselves make as they share their time, talent, knowledge, and skills with the world,” said Anne Stanton, President and CEO of the Linked Learning Alliance.
“We are so proud of these students and also grateful to the educators and partners who shaped their pathway experiences. As California reimagines education for the future, these people are helping light the way.”
Linked Learning is a proven approach to education that integrates rigorous academics with real-world learning and strong support services to prepare students for success in college, career, and life. Through Linked Learning, students learn in educational pathways that intentionally connect the classroom to local business and civic life, encouraging them to discover their power and make a real difference in their communities.
Learn more about the 2026 Linked Learning Students of the Year:
Julissa Amparo, Law & Social Justice Pathway
Bullard High School, Fresno Unified School District
An ambitious and skilled connector, Julissa helped develop her pathway’s links to industry partners, from hosting a state senator’s visit to helping plan a law advisory panel where attorneys and judges stayed past time to keep talking with students. When a planned summit fell through, she suggested an alternate conference and prepared fellow students to participate meaningfully. A member of a SkillsUSA Crime Scene Investigation team that earned state bronze in 2025 and silver in 2026, Julissa is attending San Jose State University pursuing justice studies, with law school as her goal.
Michelle Bustos, Law & Social Justice Pathway
Bullard High School, Fresno Unified School District
A CTE Ambassador Captain, Michelle also interned as an Executive Coordinator, demonstrating remarkable resourcefulness in her support of pathway staff. She helped select the student team that restarted a local law pathway advisory council and was chosen to emcee an event hosting the district attorney, police chief, and sheriff. A two-year SkillsUSA Criminal Justice competitor, she was the point person for campus safety initiatives in the law and biomedicine pathways. Michelle is studying sociology at University of California, Merced, and plans a career in law enforcement.
Arijen Garcia (L) and Jiwon Jung (R)
California Academy of Mathematics and Science
Long Beach Unified School District
Arijen and Jiwon were integral in forming the California Academy of Mathematics and Science (CAMS) Industry Network, a student-led club that helps prepare learners for industry experiences and strengthen connections with business partners.
Brenda Rosas Salvador, Engineering Pathway
Sylmar Biotech Health & Engineering Magnet, Los Angeles Unified School District
Turning challenges into opportunities to serve and uplift others, Brenda led STEM outreach activities that spark younger students’ interest in engineering, completed internships with Abbott and TreePeople, and competed in SkillsUSA. She has been recognized for her involvement in kindness and community advocacy initiatives, serves on the Student Site Council, competes in varsity track and field, and maintains honor roll status while working part time. Brenda plans to study electrical or mechanical engineering and hopes to create innovations that improve lives.
Isaac Towett, Engineering Pathway
Sylmar Biotech Health & Engineering Magnet, Los Angeles Unified School District
Class president, engineering team officer, and a consistent SkillsUSA competitor, Isaac has also made meaningful contributions through his involvement in project-based learning. Through these experiences, he has focused on real issues affecting students, families, and the broader community—conducting research, building prototypes, and presenting solutions to school stakeholders and industry representatives. Isaac plans to pursue a degree in engineering and further develop the technical knowledge, leadership skills, and innovative mindset needed to achieve his goals.
Agustin Arroyo Bustamante, Health Academy
Oakland Technical High School, Oakland Unified School District
An intern turned ambassador for the HEAL Program, Agustin mentors middle school boys exploring healthcare careers. He has explored research on language discrimination, healthcare access, and culturally responsive care through internships at UC Berkeley and DePauw University, presenting his findings to an audience including Kaiser physicians. Agustin also helped develop a survey of hundreds of OUSD students, which he and others used to inform a school safety proposal to the district’s board.
Rosa Gonzalez Leon, Sustainable Urban Design Academy
Castlemont High School, Oakland Unified School District
A committed advocate for her East Oakland community, Rosa learned 3D modeling and mapping programs to design improvements for the Oakland Coliseum site, International Boulevard, and a resilience hub near her school. Her Coliseum redesign was chosen as the top project in her grade and presented to the site’s developers and the Oakland City Council. After mastering English, she became a classroom interpreter for English Language Learners. A first-generation college student, Rosa now studies sustainable design and landscape architecture at UC Berkeley.
Jia Sharma, Green Energy Pathway
Skyline High School, Oakland Unified School District
After extreme heat disrupted a blood drive she was helping facilitate, Jia co-led a project to design energy-efficient cooling solutions for her campus, earning top honors and funding in the Ballers Innovation Challenge. Jia is an ECCCO ambassador and Capstone Student Leader who promotes the Green Energy Pathway to her peers. She has interned with Tech Exchange, the OUSD SMART Center, and Highland Hospital’s HEAL Program. Jia aspires to a career in biotechnology research.
Leo Aguirre, Arts and Entertainment Pathway
Thurgood Marshall Secondary School, Pasadena Unified School District
Always ready for a challenge, Leo has turned his skills in photography and video into a meaningful service, documenting school and community milestones. From sports media days and graduations to galas and dance performances, he readily takes on projects beyond school hours. Each assignment strengthens his extensive professional portfolio, community relationships, and business skills. Already offering services to other district schools, Leo is building the brand and experience to realize his goal of launching his own photography business.
Stellan Pearson, Visual Arts and Design Pathway
Pasadena High School, Pasadena Unified School District
Bringing his passion for experiential and spatial design, Stellan created a museum experience for his campus, drawing on paper archives that had never been digitized and giving the school community a lens on how the campus and the city of Pasadena have changed over time. He also redesigned the interior of a local small business that became his client. Stellan employs an industry-standard approach to each project, from ideation to completion. He plans to attend a four-year art school and pursue a career in the art and design industry.
Frankie Urena Babineau, Environmental Science Academy
Monache High School, Porterville Unified School District
Passionate the environment, Frankie has completed more than 448 hours of work-based learning, including internships at Sequoia Riverlands Trust, Circle J-Norris Ranch, SCICON, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Success Lake, the Porterville Public Library, and more. Through these experiences, he has developed skills in research, habitat restoration, soil health assessment, and environmental education. A four-time honor roll student with a 4.13 GPA, Frankie also served as a pathway ambassador, sharing the academy with students, parents, board members, and business partners.
Kris Kashyap, Academy of Engineering
Harmony Magnet Academy, Porterville Unified School District
Starting his junior year, Kris began working with Climate Action Pathways, helping finalize a years-long report on district improvements from upgraded HVAC and lighting systems. He was then offered an apprenticeship as a sustainability specialist, working with the district’s energy and sustainability manager on a five-year climate action plan for 22 school sites, covering waste reduction, building decarbonization, EV transportation, sustainable food systems, and water conservation. Through his work, tens of thousands of students may experience safer, healthier, more efficient learning environments.
Makayla Rojas, Emerging Agricultural Technology Pathway
Strathmore High School, Porterville Unified School District
As an intern with Climate Action Pathways for Schools and the district’s Farm to Fork initiative, Makayla has built partnerships with 14 local farmers; supported monthly free farmers markets at six schools; and developed lessons, posters, and activity books about local produce, nutrition, sustainable agriculture, and farmers’ stories. She also analyzed delivery emissions, demonstrating the environmental benefits of local sourcing. Makayla’s work lives at the intersection of supporting the local economy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and helping students make healthy choices.
Kenneth Cermeno-Perez, IB Film Theory & Production Pathway
Cajon High School, San Bernardino City Unified School District
An IB Diploma candidate who has far surpassed his required service hours, Kenneth is president of his high school’s film society, he has helped his pathway recruit students from middle schools, and he has served as a lead ambassador during visits from education leaders and policymakers. He has also filmed and directed documentaries that illuminate the power of arts education. Kenneth plans to attend a four-year college and continue pursuing dual interests in filmmaking and auto tech.
Logan Loya, Business Management and Global Logistics
Cajon High School, San Bernardino City Unified School District
While enrolled as a full IB student, Logan helped lead a student consultancy between his high school, San Bernardino Valley College, and Alpha Athletics, an emerging golf apparel company. He developed market research and branding, sourcing, and pricing recommendations. Logan regularly supports his pathway by mentoring younger students, troubleshooting industry equipment, and promoting pathway opportunities to younger students. Logan is also building an artificial intelligence partnership with the Leonard Transportation Center at Cal State San Bernardino. After graduation he plans to study business, engineering, computer science, or AI.
Genesis Rojano, PTLW Biomedical Pathway
Pacific High School, San Bernardino City Unified School District
A leader in Bio Med Club, HOSA, and Students Stand Together, Genesis is committed to serving her fellow students and community. When her pathway added mental health awareness and homelessness advocacy to its curriculum, she became a voice for special education students and foster youth and served on committees researching related issues and community responses. She has facilitated dialogues and cohort work focused on students whose academic and social-emotional needs often go unnoticed. Genesis hopes to study biomedical engineering at UC Berkeley or UCLA.