KC Alumni Share Success Stories at SDUSD Board Meeting

On November 18, 2025, King-Chavez Community High School proudly presented a case for a five-year charter renewal to the San Diego Unified Board of Education. The renewal process looks closely at academic performance, organizational health, and the overall impact of the school, and we were honored to have two incredible KC alumni share their stories. Ashley Mendiola (Class of 2020, UC Berkeley graduate) and Linzy Clara (Class of 2023, Southwestern & SDSU graduate and current King-Chavez elementary teacher) took to the podium to speak about how their KC experience shaped their paths and contributed to the success they enjoy today. We are so grateful for their voices and continued commitment to our community!

Show Transcript

good afternoon my name is Ashley mola I graduated from Kim Chavez High School in 2020 when the pandemic hit um and thanks to the support of King Chavez and the programs that they collaborate I was able to graduate from the University of Berkeley I finished my education in 3 years and thanks to the resources that the school provided um they installed values of me of Justice where I was able to find my passion and now I came back as a community organizer and I collaborate with Kim Chavez and I have helped 18 students get their CEO of Civic engagement so that they could put it on their transcript we are collaborating with them to advocate for more just laws at the city council level um and it's uh been a good opportunity to come back to the community community and provide more resources to students like I was a couple years ago thank you good evening my name is Lindsay Clara proud of Love night King Chavez Community High School class 2023 Southwestern College alumni and also theology at SDSU when I think about where I started and where I am now King Chavez is the heart of the journey it is where I found teachers who saw my potential long before I did it is where I found my peers who became my family it is where I learned that Community isn't just about something that you belong to it's something that you build together King Chow is open doors I never knew existed through our award-winning mock trial team I found my voice and confidence when our team plays fifth in the county I realized that education isn't just about grades it's about empowerment leadership and the courage to dream beyond the possibilities today I carry the forward the legacy of kin Chavez and now I work at kinawa elementary helping young children discover their own potential through literacy and confidence building I also work as Transcendent coordinator and teaching artists guiding you to express themselves through creativity and Community I am living improve that what happens when the schools invest in Love Culture and community and because of King Chavez I don't just Chase success I created for others thank you