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25th Annual National Pacific Islander Education Network (NPIEN) Conference
at Odyssey STEM Academy, Paramount Unified School District, Lakewood, CA
October 23-24, 2026, Conference will be Streamed
www.npien.com This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
MAJOR SPONSORS
Copper Level Sponsors: First Five LA, Lakewood Education Foundation, Teachers Association of Long Beach
Bronze Level Sponsors: Krispy Kreme, HundredX, Pay Pal Giving Fund, Pasifica Financial Inc., One America Financial – Mark McKeon, Schools First Federal Credit Union, California Credit Union
COLLEGE, CAREER and RESOURCE FAIR EXHIBITORS: San Diego State University, APIDA Center, Grand Canyon University, University of California, Los Angeles, California State University, Los Angeles, Mathnasium, Office of Samoan Affairs, Orange County Department of Education, Cypress College, Money Matters Kids, California Baptist University, VjP Tax & Financial Services, California Credit Union
PRIZE SPONSORS: Curves, Queen Mary’s Escape, All About Word Art, Soledad and Frank Santos, Carol and William Wynder, Golf N’ Stuff, Raising Canes, YogaSix Redondo Beach, The Funnel House
AWARDS SPONSORS: City of Compton, City of Carson, Assemblymember Gregg Hart
DINNER SPONSORED by FIRST FIVE LA FOR EDUCATORS by INVITATION ONLY at Ono Hawaiian BBQ in Paramount, Friday October 23rd, at 5:00-7:00 p.m.
ANNUAL CONFERENCE on Saturday October 24th at
Odyssey STEM Academy, 3701 Michelson St, Lakewood, CA
Saturday Agenda
8:30-9:30 a.m. Registration at Main Gate, Continental Breakfast in the Cafeteria/IDEA Lab, College, Career, and Resource Fair: Visit each exhibitor and receive raffle tickets
9:30-10:30 a.m. Welcome by the NPIEN Board, student performances until 9:45 a.m. by Odyssey STEM Academy and Paramount High School near the Resource Fair area and cafeteria
9:54 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Welcome by Odyssey STEM Academy Paramount Unified School District Officials and ASB Student Leaders, pledge of allegiance and presentation of Island flags by Odyssey students
- Keynote Panel: Remarks by Founding NPIEN Board Members on the 25th Anniversary: Ruth Perez Ashley and others
10:30-11:15 a.m. Breakout Sessions and Resource Fair
- Student Workshop 1 in Room 1: Student Music Session
- Student Workshop 2 in Room 2: Student Mentoring Panel led by NPIEN Board
- Educator Session 1 in Room 3: Valerie Marquez, NPIEN Board Member, El Camino College Instructor
- Everyone Session 1: Parents, students, everyone: Visit the Career, College and Fair, Raffles
11:15-11:30 a.m. Break and College, Career and Resource Fair
11:30 a.m.-12:15 a.m. Breakout Sessions: College, Career and Resource Fair
- Student Workshop 1 in Room 1: Music Session REPEAT
- Student Workshop #2 in Room 2: Odalys Mendez, Money Matters Kids
- Everyone Session 1: Parents, students, everyone: Visit the Career, College and Fair, Raffles
11:30-11:45 a.m. Lunch is delivered, set-up, catered by Ono Hawaiian BBQ set-up in the cafeteria serve in the Outdoor Area or Room
12:15 p.m.-1:00 p.m. Lunch, College, Career and Resource Fair, Student performances outdoors during lunch by Morse High School MISA and Rancho Domingez High School
1:00 p.m.-2:45 p.m. Final student performance by Odyssey STEM Academy or Paramount High School
- Keynote Remarks: NPIEN Board and presentation of the Awards
- Christina & Ray Diaz Scholars Awards and Adult and Community Awards Winners
- Thank You Remarks by NPIEN Board
- Prize Drawing: Announce the Prize Drawing Winners
See you on October 23, 2027!!!!
The AWARD WINNERS
Christina & Ray Diaz Student Scholars
- Damien Utuone, 2026 Graduate, Cathedral High School, Los Angeles, also the Henry Kamae Attendance Award Winner
- Kainoa Ilac, 2026 Graduate, Pioneer Valley High School, Santa Maria Joint Union High School District
- Mutt “Marty” Sofeni College Soph 2026 Long Beach City College
- Adrian Jay Diaz, Grade 10, Kauai High School
- Tina Clement, Grade 10, Kauai High School
- Audrei Kanani Ringor, Grade 10, Kauai High School
- Xavier Goodlow, 2026 Graduate, Compton High School, Compton Unified School District
- Jordynn Fetutasi Hunkin First Year Willamette University Law School
- Persjah Lam Sam, 2026 Graduate, Poly High School, Long Beach Unified School District
Sevia Ma’ae and Maria Torres Educator Award
- Denelle Zimmerman Teacher, Mark Keppel Elementary School, Paramount Unified School District
- Leilani Coco, Teacher, Paramount Park School, Paramount Unified School District
- Elizabeth Robles, Teacher, McKinley Elementary School, Long Beach Unified School District
- Elizabeth Sanches Martin, Teacher and Coach, Poly High School, Long Beach Unified School District
Dr. Alofa and Freda Tanuvasa Community Award
- Heidi Chargualaf-Quenga, Executive Director, Kutturan CHamoru Foundation
- Fran Lujan, Museum Director, Pacific Island Ethnic Art Museum
Sala Auelua Counselor Award
- Veiongo Naufahu, Counselor, Carson High School Los Angeles Unified School District
- Stephanie Swick, Counselor, Will Rogers Middle School, Lawndale School District
Ruth Perez Ashley Administrator Award
- Dr Audrey Yamagata Noji, Vice President, Student Services, Mt. San Antonio College
- Dr Rose Ann Bomentre, REAL Journey Academies, Former Superintendent
Register Today on Eventbrite
Register to be a Sponsor or part of the Career, College and Resource Fair
You must register to receive lunch. We will also host virtually on YouTube
Sponsors, Career, College and Resource Fair Exhibitors
Register Here
25th Annual Conference T-Shirt and other Conference Merch here