Hillsboro School District Weekly Hot News April 21, 2025 - Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, dedicated to celebrating the achievements and contributions of Asians, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders of the United States. Originating after U.S. Congress action in 1997, this commemoration serves to highlight the vastness of the Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities, which spans more than 30 countries where over 100 different languages are spoken, and where the experiences are equally as varied. During the month of May and integrated into the curriculum throughout the school year, we celebrate our AANHPI community intentionally and honor their gifts, cultures, diverse histories, and continued contributions to the Hillsboro School District and our nation. In our schools and classrooms, we take time to explore the rich history and culture of people who are AANHPI. We continue to teach, learn and unlearn, reflect on and even condemn the violence and hatred that has been directed at the AANHPI community. We work to rebuild our classroom communities as we elevate the stories, contributions, and experiences of the AANHPI communities with love, empathy, and inclusivity. Thank you to our Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Hillsboro School District students, staff, families, and community members who continue to join us in the efforts to build and sustain a culture of belonging. We admire you and we’re incredibly thankful for your talents, advocacy, and brilliance. Our featured students are members of Hilhi’s first-ever Rocket League Esports Club! Rocket League is an online sport-based video game in which teams compete against others all across the U.S. for points and prizes. On Saturday, April 12, they competed in the Bruin Rocket League Invitational hosted at George Fox University. The tournament featured four top teams: Ridgefield, North Eugene, Wilsonville, and our very own Spartans. With Wilsonville and Hilhi widely regarded as the two best teams in the state, the stage was set for an intense showdown. The competition began with a group stage (best-of-three format), where the Spartans earned the #2 seed heading into bracket play, dropping only one match in a close 1-2 loss to Wilsonville. In bracket play, the Spartans came out strong, cruising through the semifinals to earn a highly anticipated rematch with Wilsonville in the finals. This time, Hilhi came prepared. The Spartans set the tone early, winning the first match—and they never looked back. With dominant teamwork, sharp communication, and clutch plays, Hilhi swept Wilsonville 4-0 in a best-of-seven series to claim the championship title. This win solidifies that the Hillsboro Spartans are officially the #1 High School Rocket League team in the state. Congratulations and way to go, Spartan Esports team! You make us Proud to be HSD!Hot News is produced and emailed to HSD families and staff each week school is in session. Please add the address to your “safe sender” list to make sure you always receive the latest issue. Please also bookmark our district website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hsd.k12.or.us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to stay informed about what’s happening in our district and schools.