Honors, Awards & Recognition
2025-2026
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2024-2025
Palms Violinist Performs with Famed Cellist Yo-Yo Ma
In April 2025, Palms 7th grader Porche Brinker performed with legendary cellist Yo-Yo Ma at LAUSD's musical instrument repair shop, as featured in the Oscar-winning documentary short "The Last Repair Shop."
The event was covered by the Los Angeles Times, which reported that Porche had watched videos of Ma playing cello and quoted her as saying "Now that I’ve played with professionals before, I’m a little less scared."
Students in New Palms Drone Program Win Their First Competition
In February 2025, Aerial Panthers, the Palms drone team, in its first-ever competition, won the Aerial Drone Competition for All Around Champion Middle School by the REC Foundation at Hilda Solis Senior High School in Boyle Heights.
LAUSD Holiday Card
In December 2024, art by two Palms students was chosen by LAUSD for its annual holiday card.
The card cover art was by Palms 6th grader Jamisen Coats.
The side cover art was by Palms 8th grader Jenna Coats.
That's Not All
Please continue reading below for more honors and awards.
Click any heading to read the details.
Note that links from past years may not longer work.
2023-2024
Palms Students Win Multiple Awards at the Science Fair
Palms Team Wins First Place in Directing Change Film Contest
Palms Team Places in Magenta House Expo Contest
Palms Spelling Bee Champion Places at Regional Contest
Two Palms Musicians Featured in Oscar-winning L.A. Times Short Documentary
Three Palms Finalists in Día de Los Muertos Contest
2022-2023
An Award-Winning Club!
Doug Eastman, Rashid Orange, and Evan Pohle Win Minecraft Competition
Palms 7th Grader Shines in Essay Contest
Palms Robotics Teams Win Awards
LAUSD Holiday Card Features Palms Student Art
Flag Designs by Palms Students Selected for Wende Museum Exhibit
2021-2022
Video Production Students Win Multiple Awards
Isabel Liu Martinez Wins Art Contest
Eight Palms Students Receive Music Scholarships
Palms Video Production Students Win Awards
Ten Palms Students Featured in Social Justice Journal
Kevon Fortune Plays in Pre-Super Bowl TV Appearance
Daniel Karpoukhin Selected for California All State Honor Band
Destiny Catellanos and Jazmin Paiz Win Día De Los Muertos Art Contest
Jade Yates Wins Young Storytellers Contest
Ms. Garret Honored by Extra Years for Teachers
Baron Ellis Interviewed by KCAL News
Kaylee Nakagawa Wins in Art & Literary Contest
2020-2021
Palms Sweeps The Bruin Experiment Science Fair
Elise Fukuda and John Xie Win Music Scholarships
Palms Sweeps the Directing Change California Contest
Ten Palms Student Accepted to C5 Youth Foundation Program
Richard Arter Featured on NBC Nightly News
Mia Safdie Selected for All-State Honor Band
Mrs. Clark Recognized by the Los Angeles Clippers
Shirley Santiago Excels in Tournament of Roses Día de los Muertos Art Contest
Tyler Maurer Wins Solatia Green Space Contest
Krisette Arcinas Receives Top Honors in Hope for Unity Contest
Ms. Garret Recognized with "Extra Yard for Teachers" Award
2019-2020
Jasmine Li Wins LASMTA Scholarship
Palms Gifted Magnet Program Receives "Excelling Magnet" Award
Palms 6-Year WASC Accreditation Recognized by District
Palms Receives Full WASC Accreditation
Daniel Spagna's Art Selected for LAUSD Calendar
Noah Smith and Kevin Yamashita Win Awards in Rotary Club Art Contest
Robotics Teams Win at First Lego League
Palms Flag Football Team Wins City Championship
Three Music Scholarships
2018-2019
Public Service Video Wins Cash Prize
Carina Garret Wins Teaching Award in History
Palms Hosts Full STEAM Ahead!
Palms Teams Win at LA84 Run4Fun
Pincus Family Represents Palms
2017-2018
Palms Receives Excelling Magnet Award
Jaden Robinson Repeats as Scholarship Winner
Palms Wins 2018 Science Fair
JaDEn Robinson Chosen for All-State Jazz Band
Palms Adds Athletics to the STEAM Experience
2016-2017
Palms Teacher Leads Music Teachers Assocation
Sapir Brand Wins International Heritage Competition
Lorelei Deutsch and Jaden Robinson Win LASMTA Music Scholarships
Kayla Jang Wins DWP Contest
Palms Wins 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in 2017 Science Fair
Palms Named Honor Roll School
Jayla Hill Appears on Cooking Show
How Palms Succeeds
2015-2016
Palms Students Finalists in California Letters about Literature Contest
Palms Wins 2016 Science Fair
Palms Band Members Selected for California All-State Honor Band
2014-2015
Nicole Feyzjou's Art Featured on LAUSD Holiday Card
2013-2014
Aya Chaarawi Wins Blues Foundation Contest
Palms Student Wins Design Contest
Merel Timmermans Selected for All-State Band
Caitlin Chen Finalist in California Reflections Contest
Layla Arjomand Wins California Letters About Literature Contest
Palms Recognized for Outstanding Growth in Algebra 1
2012-2013
Ms. Czujko is LAUSD Teacher of the Year
Caitlin Chen Wins Writing Award
Palms Students Raise $1,660 for Cancer Center
Veteran Teacher Award
2011-2012
Jordyn Sacino Wins LAUSD 'My Bright Idea' Contest
National Human Genome Research Award
Palms Excellence Recognized
Three Music Educator Awards
National Board Certification
2010-2011
Rick Li and Kiara Santacruz Honored for Essays
Lakers Teacher of the Month
2008-2009
Emily Choi Wins Office of Education Art Contest
Palms Students Selected for Presidential Inauguration
2009-2010
The Power of Parents
Voice of Youth Advocates
Band Educator Award
Magnet School of Distinction
Palms Middle School is proud to have been named a Magnet School of Distinction.
WASC Accreditation
Palms Middle School is proud to be a WASC-accredited middle school.
Two Palms Teachers Who Volunteered to Teach
Palms teachers regularly go beyond the call of duty, volunteering to help students, the school, and the local community.
Two highly qualified teachers reached retirement but continued teaching as volunteers for almost a decade: Mr. Bruce Kravets and Ms. Sylvia Kvitky. Both taught math.
Palms students benefited greatly from their dedication and years of teaching experience at Palms.