Welcome back to our San Joaquin Section CASCWA Members!

It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your section President for the 2026/2027 school year. As we begin a new school year our section is deeply committed to partnering with you and supporting your district to ensure every student thrives through a unified, team- based approach. We know that the foundation for true student success lies in building strong, authentic relationship with students, staff, and the community we live in. By taking care of the unique barriers our students face; whether related to mental health, safety, or basic needs we can work together to ensure no child falls through the cracks.

As classes start, we are once again stepping up and beyond our traditional roles and doing whatever it takes to support the success of students. In talking to my colleagues – all of you –I’m impressed by your passion, creative solutions, and nimbleness to help every student attend and participate in school every day and being on time. There is certainty and purpose in what we do, and supporting our educators, students and families is more important than ever during this time.

On behalf of the San Joaquin Executive Board, we send blessings for a (Great) start to the new school year and please continue to fight the good fight. Stay tuned. You’ll be hearing more from the San Joaquin Section of CASCWA about professional learning opportunities, through emails, workshops and as we host the 90 th Annual CASCWA State Conference set for April 28-30 2027.

See you there!!!!!!

Praxades Torres III, CASCWA San Joaquin President 

Director of Child Welfare and Attendance, Parlier Unified School District

San Joaquin Section Board Members

Anthony Brucia Scholarship Awards Presentation Ceremony 

On May 15, 2026 the San Joaquin section of CASCWA held their annual Anthony Brucia Success Awards scholarship luncheon.  At this time, five scholarship recipients were awarded with $1,000 checks, with the continuing opportunity to earn $1,000 annually for the next three years if they remain enrolled and in good standing.

The winners were Jonathan Castro Espinoza (Kings River HS), Zoe Jade Orr (Kingsburg HS), Kathryn Damien-Flores (Mira Monte HS), Alexander Sherer (Manteca HS), and Fiona Padilla (Hoover HS).

Additionally, Janet Rowse and Ron Cuff, co-founders of SafeLaunch,  were present to award three one-time $1,000 scholarships to Maverick Statzer (Waterford HS), Brooklyn Valentine (Patterson HS) and Sydni Moon Rios (Chowchilla HS).  Thank you again Ron and Janet for your continuing support.

The event was emceed by Dr. Kevin Torosian, Scholarship Co-Chair along with Sergio Mendoza, with remarks during the program from CASCWA State President Sharm Uma. The names of the five winners were then forwarded to the State CASCWA Board for eligibility to be chosen from among all the section winners throughout the state for the initial awarding of the Frank Boehler Scholarship Award.

The San Joaquin section would like to all of its members who participated in the luncheon and evaluation process for their time and efforts.  And as always, a big thank you to Joe Brucia, without who's long standing efforts this scholarship would not exist