Serving over 206,000 students across Fresno County, The Foundation @ FCOE raised over $1.6 million in 2023-2024 to support programs and services that ensure students obtain a well-rounded education with Excellence, Access, and Innovation at the forefront.
Excellence: To support academic and co-curricular student events coordinated by the Office of the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools, such as Academic Decathlon, College Night, Science Fair, Spelling Bee, Young Authors’ Faire, and Career Tech Expo.
Access: To help fund countywide programs that promote opportunities for student success, such as early care and education, empowerment and equity supports, graduation rate improvement, college and career-tech readiness, libraries, technology and more.
Innovation: To provide grants to school programs across the county that demonstrate innovation and improve student educational success.
This month’s Superintendent’s Superstar is Adileni, an 8th-grade student at Raisin City Elementary who truly embodies the qualities of a servant leader. A dedicated 4.0 scholar, Adileni is always on top of her studies and gives her very best in everything she does. She is respectful, kind and consistently leads with integrity. As ASB Vice President, Adileni works tirelessly to uplift her school community and ensure all students feel seen, valued, and supported. In her ASB role, she helps plan and put on a variety of school-wide events and initiatives, such as Red Ribbon Week, Bully Prevention Month, school dances, and student rallies.
Students from across Fresno County participated in the annual Scripps Spell Off, a competition that challenges spelling skills while emphasizing focus and composure under pressure. The top honor for the Elementary Competition went to Warren Li of Fugman Elementary-Clovis Unified (center), who finished in first place after a strong performance across seven rounds. Luke Bustinza (right) of Sutter Middle School-Fowler Unified earned the second-place title and Sofia Mancero (left) of Centerville Dual Language Academy-Sanger Unified placed third.
The Clovis FFA Meat Evaluation and Technology Team achieved an extraordinary and historic accomplishment this year by being named the Overall National Champions at the 2025 National FFA Career Development Finals. Representing the State of California at Purdue University, the team faced off against 42 top-ranking teams from across the nation and emerged best in the country. This exceptional team is composed of four outstanding students: Kayla Dias, a senior at Clovis High; Kenny Dias, a sophomore at Clovis East; Faith Collup, a senior at Clovis East; and Chris Lane, a 2025 graduate of Clovis East. Together, these members dedicated countless hours to preparing for the national competition, practicing six days a week since June to master the rigorous components of the Meat Evaluation contest.
The Fresno County Superintendent of Schools recognized student winners of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Competitions, an annual program that promotes student expression and academic development through art, essay, and speech.
This year’s commemoration centered on the theme “Lift Every Voice: Be Courageous, Seek Justice, Show Love,” which guided student submissions addressing issues of equity, civic responsibility, and community engagement. Students from across Fresno County participated, applying research, critical thinking, and creativity to interpret Dr. King’s legacy and its relevance today.
The December Superintendent's Superstar is Ryan. Ryan is a remarkable young leader at Pine Ridge Elementary School. He exemplifies character, compassion and quiet influence. Known for his sharp wit and clever sense of humor, Ryan brings warmth and connection to every space he enters. Ryan gives his best effort in all academic pursuits. This year, his dedication has soared and his work ethic has strengthened significantly. He approaches each day with a positive spirit, a kind heart and deep respect for adults and peers alike. As an 8th-grade student, Ryan leads by example. He is a good friend, a steady mentor to younger students and someone who is always willing to come alongside and help.
The Foundation @ FCOE is pleased to announce the publication of our 2024–2025 Annual Report, a comprehensive look at the meaningful work made possible through the generosity and commitment of our donors, community partners, and FCSS employees. Each year, this report serves as an important reflection of our shared impact and the continued progress we are making on behalf of Fresno County students and educators.
The November Superintendent's Superstar is Jesus, a senior at Parlier High School. Jesus is an extraordinary student whose leadership, humility and commitment to excellence have left a lasting mark on the Panther community. His drive to serve others, his calm confidence and his dedication to academics and extracurriculars make him a true role model among his peers. As Vice President of the Associated Student Body (ASB), Jesus has been instrumental in shaping the culture and spirit of Parlier High School.
The 2025 Innovation Grant recipients were celebrated at a special reception honoring their innovation and dedication in developing programs that inspire and support student success. This year, 30 grants of up to $1,000 each were awarded, thanks to the generous support from the employees of Fresno County Superintendent of Schools (FCSS) through monthly payroll deductions.