The award recognizes Sierra Vista’s decades-long commitment to bilingual education. The honor was accepted by veteran English Language Development (ELD) teacher Charlene Fried, who was in attendance to support one of her students, senior Naim Juarez, who also received a top honor at the event.
Juarez was named the CABE National Essay Award winner among students in grades 9-12. His essay, Prison and Skin and Prejudices, was inspired by his experiences growing up in Mexico and reflected on the complexities of language, culture, and identity. Written in just two days, the essay blended vivid storytelling from his early years, personal anecdotes from the beaches of the coastal region, and a powerful vision of what it means to be bilingual.
“I really didn’t expect to win,” Juarez said. “It was the best last-minute decision I ever made, and I’m thankful to Ms. Fried for pushing me to go for it.”
Juarez was joined by his mother, sister, Charlene Fried, and her son, Jose Perez, and again at the awards ceremony. He was also honored during the April 8th Board of Education meeting, where he was formally recognized by the Baldwin Park Unified School District Board of Education and members of leadership. Many of his teachers attended the meeting to celebrate alongside him, the same educators who have guided him and fellow Sierra Vista students to apply for scholarships, grants, contests, and other opportunities to help them succeed. Following the meeting, a teacher from BPUSD’s own Vineland Elementary School, Virginia Escobar, reached out to Juarez to express how moved she was by his story and offered him a heartfelt token of support.
Now preparing to graduate this spring, Juarez will leave Sierra Vista High School having completed seven Advanced Placement courses — a remarkable achievement for a student who arrived at the school just 22 months ago with no English and highly developed Spanish fluency. He credits the school’s collaborative teaching team, dedicated counselors, supportive peers in the Dual Language program, and the Ideas Club for helping him and other multilingual learners bridge language barriers and unlock their full potential.
The celebration was especially meaningful for Fried, who has served at Sierra Vista since the 1970s and has been instrumental in the development of the school’s bilingual program. She was originally hired to teach English, Theatre, and Public Speaking. After two years, she traveled to Valencia, Spain, to teach and study. Upon her return, Sierra Vista launched its first bilingual program, and Fried became the school’s first Bilingual Pontoon Leader.
Throughout her career, Fried has taught ELD, English (grades 9–12), health, physics, oceanography, and more — always fostering a classroom environment rooted in creativity, cultural pride, and connection. She has also played a role in expanding Sierra Vista’s bilingual program, promoting it through partnerships with local elementary and middle schools, supporting student-led efforts like the IDEAS Club, and advocating for the Dual Language Program on campus. At the university level, she continues to advance bilingual education by teaching bilingual and language courses.
A respected educator statewide, Fried teaches at Cal State LA and Loyola Marymount University, and has been recognized as Woman Educator of the Year by California Senator Susan Rubio, as well as a CABE and NABE Teacher of the Year. Sierra Vista’s library is named in her honor.
For both Fried and Juarez, CABE’s recognition served as a powerful reminder of the transformative impact of bilingual education — and the community that makes it possible.
PHOTOS
Sierra Vista High School Teacher Ms. Fried and Senior Niam Juarez pose for a photo with his award at the 2025 CABE Awards.
The Board of Education, Superintendent Mendoza, SVHS Administrators and Teachers pose for a photo with the school recognition and essay winner Naim Juarez.
Sierra Vista High School student Naim Juarez accepts his award with a speech at the 2025 CABE Awards.