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Santa Barbara, CA, October 8, 2025 — This fall, Adelante Charter School, a 2025 California Distinguished School and a Spanish dual-language immersion program, will celebrate its 25th anniversary by honoring individuals who have been instrumental to its success and growth. The honorees include the school’s inaugural board members, whose vision and dedication made history in Santa Barbara County, along with local philanthropist Jim Kearns.
In 2000, the founding board—Pete Relis, Grant House, Babatunde Folayemi, Annette Cordero, Dr. Aaron and Janice Brown, Alma Theis, Ana Barreto, Ana Muñoz, Mary Giers, María and Ruben Rey, and Drs. Cheri and Chris Hoeckley—secured the charter necessary to open what was then known as César Chávez Charter School. This marked the beginning of the city’s first Spanish dual-language immersion program…