Somos Sunnyside

In this episode of Somos Sunnyside, we celebrate two outstanding educators who are making a lasting impact in the lives of their students and our community! Joining us are Vanessa Martinez, second-grade teacher at Mission Manor Elementary School, and Jacqueline Villa, first-grade teacher at Rivera Elementary School, both recipients of the HSL Properties Teacher Appreciation Awards.
Following a nomination process, the recipients were selected through a community vote, and Sunnyside Unified School District rallied behind these two deserving educators. Both Vanessa and Jacqueline were surprised in their classrooms, receiving the exciting news in front of their students. They also shared heartwarming stories of former students and families reaching out to let them know they had proudly cast their votes in support of their former teachers.
Along with this special recognition, each educator received a $1,000 check from HSL Properties. Both shared their plans to reinvest the award into their classrooms, purchasing materials and resources that will enhance learning experiences for their students.
As proud SUSD graduates, Vanessa and Jacqueline reflect on their passion for education and the meaningful opportunity to serve the very community that helped shape their own educational journeys. Their stories are a beautiful reminder of the lasting connections educators build with students and families and the powerful impact of giving back to the next generation.
Tune in as we celebrate these incredible teachers, the community that supports them, and the bright future they are helping create for Sunnyside students!

The rivalry is on! 🏈💙❤️
This week on Somos Sunnyside, we’re talking girls flag football with athletes and coaches from both sides of the Duel in the District! Joining us from Desert View High School are Coach Silvester Romero and Mia Martinez, and representing Sunnyside High School are Coach Alfredo Lerma and Jayceona Rodriguez.
The Jaguars and Blue Devils are gearing up to face off this Thursday at Jaguar Stadium, and while both teams are ready to compete, they’re just as excited about what the game represents: bringing the Sunnyside community together to celebrate student-athletes and the growing sport of girls flag football.
For Mia and Jayceona, their futures extend well beyond the football field. Mia has discovered that teaching is her calling through her experiences in Desert View’s Education Professions program. Jayceona has found a passion for marketing and communications, gaining hands-on experience creating social media content for Mariachi and Student Council.
Coaches Romero and Lerma also share what makes coaching these athletes so rewarding and why they’re proud to help their players develop their skills, confidence and love for the game.
It’s a rivalry on the field, but a celebration of Sunnyside students, community and girls flag football for everyone. Tune in as we get ready for the Duel in the District!

We’re welcoming three familiar faces into new leadership roles across the District! Join us as we sit down with Angela Estrella, Principal of Mission Manor Elementary School; Dr. Dedee Lyngstad Brown, Chief Student Services Officer; and Christian Miranda, Director of Transportation.
While all three are new to their current positions this school year, they are far from new to education or to Sunnyside Unified School District. Each guest brings a unique career journey, but they share a common commitment: putting students at the center of every decision they make.
For Angela and Christian, their paths to education began in an unexpected place: UPS. Both Sunnyside graduates, they built valuable skills during their time with the company before discovering that their true calling was in education. Angela knew she wanted to make a difference in students’ lives and eventually found her way into the classroom and, ultimately, school leadership. Christian found a way to turn his experience in transportation at UPS into a career supporting students, first working in transportation for Glendale School District before returning to Sunnyside.
Dr. Lyngstad Brown's journey into education began much earlier. Growing up in Montana, she knew from a young age that teaching was her calling. Her career began with her first teaching position in Long Beach, California, before bringing her to Tucson. Once here, she knew Sunnyside was where she wanted to build her career. Her two-decade journey in SUSD began at Elvira Elementary, continued as principal of Los Niños Elementary and eventually brought her to the District Office, where she now serves as Chief Student Services Officer.
Together, Angela, Dedee and Christian share the experiences that shaped their careers, what inspired them to take on their new roles and their goals for the school year ahead. While their journeys may look different, their message is remarkably similar: everything they do comes back to students.
Tune in to this episode of Somos Sunnyside to meet three leaders who are stepping into new roles while continuing a commitment to the students, families and community that brought them to SUSD in the first place.

What does it feel like to step into the classroom for the very first time? In this episode of Somos Sunnyside, we meet three brand-new teachers who are beginning their teaching journeys across the Sunnyside Unified School District and bringing unique experiences, fresh perspectives, and a passion for helping students succeed.
Meet Juan Ibarra, a CTE Marketing teacher at Star Academic High School. Originally from Yuma, Arizona, Juan spent 20 years working in business and marketing before bringing his professional experience into the classroom. Having grown up in circumstances similar to many of the students he now teaches, Juan feels a strong connection to the Sunnyside community. After volunteering in various capacities throughout the District, he knew Sunnyside was where he wanted to make an impact. Now, his goal is to inspire his students and help them see the possibilities that are available to them.
At Los Amigos Technology Academy, Delaney Burgesser is beginning her first year as a first-grade teacher. Delaney initially planned to pursue a career in nursing, but after her first year of college, she discovered that teaching was where her passion truly belonged. She completed her student teaching in Sunnyside and quickly fell in love with the District’s positive culture. When her student teaching ended, she continued working in the District as a substitute teacher, giving her even more opportunities to connect with students and experience the Sunnyside community before stepping into her own classroom.
At Gallego Intermediate, Aubrey Frazier is teaching sixth- and seventh-grade math while continuing her own education. As she balances being both a teacher and a student, Aubrey says Sunnyside has proven to be a great place to begin her career. She appreciates the support and resources available to new teachers and the encouragement she receives along the way.
Although their paths into education are different, Juan, Delaney, and Aubrey share a common belief: their students inspire them. They are excited to learn alongside their students, grow as educators, and make a difference in the lives of the young people they serve.
Tune in to Somos Sunnyside for a conversation with three new faces in the classroom and hear why they believe they found the right place to begin their teaching careers.

Season four of Somos Sunnyside begins with a story rooted in family, community, music and a deep connection to Sunnyside Unified School District. In this special episode, brothers Sal, Memo, Beto and Ralph Gallegos share the story of a family whose roots in Sunnyside run deep and whose success continues to be shaped by the lessons they learned growing up in the district.
Their parents moved to Tucson from Casa Grande in 1980, beginning a family journey that would become closely connected to Sunnyside Unified. The brothers attended Santa Clara Elementary School and Apollo Middle School before graduating from Sunnyside High School. Growing up, the Gallegos brothers developed a passion for both music and sports, participating in band and athletics, including wrestling and football.
That shared love of music eventually brought the brothers together in a new way when they formed their family band, Los Gallegos. What started as a family passion grew into a successful musical journey, with the brothers performing at venues throughout the community and building a strong and dedicated fan base. Their story is a testament to the power of family and the way shared experiences can create lasting connections.
Each brother has also forged his own path to success, building careers in fields ranging from education to Tucson Electric Power and business. Among their accomplishments is their work as co-owners of American Eat Co., continuing their commitment to the community in new ways.
The brothers also carry forward the memory and legacy of their late brother, Gabe Gallegos, through a scholarship fund that helps encourage and support youth participation in sports. Their efforts ensure that Gabe's passion for helping young people continues to make an impact on future generations.
Throughout the episode, the Gallegos brothers reflect on the role Sunnyside Unified played in preparing them for success. They credit the teachers and coaches who believed in them, challenged them and helped shape who they became. Just as importantly, they remember the strong sense of community they experienced growing up in Sunnyside, a foundation of support that stayed with them long after graduation.
From the classrooms and athletic fields of Sunnyside to the stage with Los Gallegos and their careers throughout the community, the brothers' story shows how the lessons, relationships and sense of belonging developed in school can last a lifetime.
Tune in to the season four opener of Somos Sunnyside to hear Sal, Memo, Beto and Ralph Gallegos share their family's Sunnyside story, their journey with Los Gallegos, and the people and experiences that helped prepare them for success.

On this inspiring episode of Somos Sunnyside, we sit down with two outstanding seniors from Desert View High School, Anysa Medrano and Josue Bajo Quijada, to discuss their incredible academic journeys and life-changing scholarship opportunities. Anysa shares what it means to be selected as a prestigious Gates Millennium Scholar, one of only 750 students nationwide chosen from more than 61,000 applicants, while also earning acceptance to Princeton University. Josue reflects on being named a Dorrance Scholarship recipient, earning more than $100,000 in scholarship support along with opportunities for study abroad, leadership development, and innovation programs.
Throughout the conversation, both students open up about their similar upbringings, being raised by their mothers with the support of their grandparents, and how those experiences shaped their motivation to succeed academically. They share how, from a young age, they were determined to pursue higher education in a way that would ease the financial burden on their families while creating new opportunities for their futures. Their stories are powerful examples of perseverance, resilience, gratitude, and what it truly means to be college, career, and community ready. 

In this episode of Somos Sunnyside, we sit down with three outstanding seniors from Sunnyside High School as they reflect on their educational journeys, future aspirations, and the community that helped shape their success.
Pamela Romero shares her excitement about attending Kenyon College to pursue her passion for neuroscience. As a recipient of the Victoria Teresa Arias Memorial Scholarship, Pamela discusses the importance of perseverance, academic dedication, and the support system that encouraged her to dream big.
Abigail Hernandez talks about earning the prestigious Stamps Scholarship at the W.A. Franke Honors College and her plans to attend the University of Arizona to pursue a career in medicine. She reflects on how her family, mentors, and involvement in school activities motivated her to maintain strong grades and prepare for her future as a doctor.
Edward Machado shares his journey toward studying mechanical engineering at the University of Arizona and how being involved in Sunnyside programs helped him grow both academically and personally.
Throughout the episode, all three students highlight the impact of TRIO programs, family encouragement, and the strong sense of community within Sunnyside. From academics to extracurricular involvement, they discuss how Sunnyside Unified has provided opportunities, guidance, and unwavering support throughout the years as they prepare to take the next step toward their futures.

In this episode of Somos Sunnyside, we sit down with three outstanding seniors from Desert View High School as they prepare for their next chapter after graduation. Dante Escobar and Daniel Amaya share their excitement about pursuing Sports Journalism at Arizona State University and Northern Arizona University, while Jasmine Reyna reflects on earning a full ride softball scholarship to Eastern Arizona College.
Throughout the conversation, the students discuss how the rigorous academic opportunities offered through the Sunnyside Unified School District, especially dual enrollment courses, helped prepare them for college-level expectations and taught them valuable time management and accountability skills. They also highlight the importance of strong support systems, crediting their families, teachers, coaches, and friends for motivating them to pursue ambitious goals.
A common theme throughout the episode is how quickly high school passes by and the importance of staying focused academically from the very beginning. The seniors encourage younger students to take advantage of every opportunity, stay involved, and remember that grades truly matter when planning for the future.

In this inspiring episode of Somos Sunnyside, we sit down with three incredible educators who have come full circle,once students in Sunnyside District, now shaping the future of the very classrooms that inspired them.
We hear from Ximena Mata Ruiz, a teacher at Liberty Elementary School, Yaritza Grijalva, a childcare worker at Ocotillo Learning Center, and Melanye Macias, a paraprofessional at Gallego Intermediate. All proud graduates of Desert View High School, these remarkable women were part of the Education Professions Program under the guidance of Ms. Skeggs, a program that sparked their passion for working with students and opened the door to meaningful careers in education.
Throughout the conversation, they reflect on how their time in the program ignited their curiosity and gave them hands-on experiences that built both confidence and purpose. Now back in Sunnyside as professionals, they share how it feels to return to a district that once supported them as students and continues to uplift them as educators.
From heartfelt stories about their journeys to powerful insights on mentorship, growth, and giving back, this episode highlights the lasting impact of investing in students and creating pathways into careers. Their stories are a testament to the strength of Sunnyside’s community and the power of believing in the next generation.
 

In this exciting episode of the Somos Sunnyside Podcast, we welcome special guests Coach Justin Delgado, Esabella Barajas, Dora Medina, and Taylor Rainwater as they reflect on an unforgettable 2025–2026 season.
The team takes us through an amazing season, filled with resilience, growth, and big-time moments. With an impressive 26–4 overall record, back-to-back championships at the Inferno Invitational and FW Holiday Shootout, and top rankings across the state and Southern Arizona, this group proved they are among the elite. The players reflect on the chemistry, discipline, and trust that powered their success all season long.
A special part of the conversation highlights the impact the team has on one another, whose leadership and legacy have left a lasting mark on the program. The teammates share an appreciation for the culture they helped build and the example they set both on and off the court.
The episode also shines a light on the incredible support system behind the team, from families and school staff to students and the broader community. That energy helped carry the team through every high and low.
As the program looks ahead, Coach Delgado and the players talk about resetting, recharging, and preparing for a new challenge with an incoming region next season. One thing is clear, the standard has been set, and Sunnyside girls basketball is ready to compete.
Together, they remind us what it means to represent Sunnyside with pride!