Newport-Mesa Unified School District 2026 High School Valedictorians

Newport-Mesa is a mosaic of dedicated stakeholders—parents, students, staff, civic leaders and community organizations—all working together to advance and celebrate student success. A perennial highlight is the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Dinner at the Pendry, where we recognized our high school valedictorians for their exceptional academic achievements. This year, 17 valedictorians from Corona del Mar High (pictured) took center stage, sharing their impressive college commitments—including Harvard, UCLA, UC Berkeley, Cornell, Brown, U Penn and Dartmouth—and reflecting on their favorite CdM memories.

We wish the Class of 2026 the brightest of futures!

New E-Bike Policy for 2026-2027

Following years of outreach and community dialogue, the Newport-Mesa Trustees recently took decisive action to enhance student safety. In a 6-1 vote, the Board approved a new e-bike policy that will take effect at the start of the 2026-2027 school year.

Key details of the policy include:

Grade Restrictions: E-bikes and e-scooters are prohibited on campus for students in grades TK-8. High school students may continue to ride to school.

Safety Requirements: High school riders must complete a safety course, pass a written test and register their motorized bikes with the front office.

Focus on Safety: The policy prioritizes age-appropriate responsibility, acknowledging that the high speeds of motorized vehicles pose significant risks in crowded elementary and middle school environments.

NMUSD is currently launching a robust outreach campaign to ensure all families are informed and prepared for these upcoming changes.

Additional Highlights/Events

Vocal Music Excellence: For the first time in school history, CdM Vocal Music earned a "Superior" rating across all six competition categories.
Artistic Achievement: Congratulations to Visual Arts students Victoria Dinh and Sky Park (pictured) for being named semi-finalists in the "OC Register" Artist of the Year competition.
End of an Era: After an illustrious 43-year career, revered Track and Cross Country Coach Bill Sumner has announced his retirement (pictured). We thank him for his decades of dedication to our athletes. “Coach Sumner has built far more than a program; he has built a home. A place where young athletes become strong in body and in character,” expressed a post on the Seakingrunning Instagram page.
CDM Middle School graduation: Wednesday, June 3rd @ 1:30 pm
CDM High School graduation: Thursday, June 4th @ 2:00 pm

Carol Crane is a longtime volunteer in the Newport Mesa Unified School District, former PTA president at the elementary and high school levels and former Zone Pack chair. Carol Crane currently serves as a member on the Newport Mesa Unified School District (NMUSD) board, Trustee Area 3.

Lisa Pearson is a dedicated trustee for Area 4 of the NMUSD, proudly representing families from Newport Coast, Andersen, Harbor View and LIncoln Elementary. A resident of Corona del Mar for more than 35 years, Lisa has long been an active leader in the community, serving as PTA president, producing elementary school plays, leading fundraisers and consistently advocating for students. Known for her deep community roots and strong relationships, Lisa’s greatest strength is her understanding of local families and her commitment to ensuring their voices are heard.

For more info: NMUSD.us | IG @ newportmesausd

Email: Carol Crane: ccrane@nmusd.us | Lisa Pearson: lmpearson@nmusd.us