Every Student Succeeding Breakfast highlights inspirational students

by Shannon Carr, Board Support and Communications Specialist

The Milpitas Management Association hosted its annual Every Student Succeeding Breakfast on May 3, honoring students who exceed expectations and the adults who support them along the way.

Luis Lopez, co-MMA president, opened up the event by saying the event was created several years ago and “really embodies and represents the spirit of perseverance of the district’s beliefs of every student being valued, challenged, and successful.”

Each school celebrated at least one student, and Principals shared their stories of success before they received an award.

“They face life’s challenges head on, and today we are proud to highlight these young men and women who have already overcome great obstacles to succeed,” Lopez said. “Their stories are remarkable and their futures are bright.”

For Nanci Pass, Principal of Rose Elementary School, her student was sixth grader Shabana Baigzad, who started this year.

“One of things she told me very early in the school year is, ‘I don’t want people to feel sorry for me. This is who I am, and I am proud of who I am,’ and that is who Shabana is,’” Pass said of Baigzad, who uses a wheelchair.

“She is the fiercest advocate I’ve ever seen for a student who knows how to speak up, say what she speaks, articulates extremely well; I’ve never seen a sixth grader who can articulate what she’s thinking, what her needs are, and her desire for independence,” Pass added.

When Baigzad joined Rose, she joined the school’s broadcast team, made a group of friends, and actually advocates for a number of her friends who have challenges of their own.

“She has so impressed the staff this year,” Pass said. “Even though she’s new at Rose, she just came in and has become a leader in her sixth grade class. Shabana, we have been very proud to know you. As I told you earlier, I wish you started earlier because I would have liked to see you grow up and develop into who you are as you are a wonderful person and I know you’re going far.”

Superintendent Jordan said stories like Baigzad’s and the others being honored is the “why” behind the driving force for Milpitas employees.

“Each one of you students is a reason why we educators do what we do, and there are a lot of people in the world who could learn a lot from each of you,” she said. “...You have perseverance, you have accepted challenges in your life, you’ve overcome those challenges, and not only that but you do it with a smile and sense of accomplishment, a sense of joy, and a sense of giving. And those  are the ingredients of a leader.”

She concluded: “Each one of you students are leading us now. Thank you for the work that you do each day. Thank you for making the world a better place by being in it, by smiling, by sharing your strength, and also exuding joy wherever you go. Thank you parents and aunts and uncles and grandparents, because without you there supporting them, they wouldn’t have gained whatever it is they learned to help them persevere.”