Mountain House: Our town, our PRIDE! by Rodney

Mountain House: Our town, our PRIDE! by Rodney - June 2026 Scholarship Essay

If I could design a project to improve my school or community, I would focus on building a stronger connection between the town of Mountain House and its local high school. Mountain House is still a new town. The community has only been in existence for about 20 years (incorporated in 2024 becoming California’s newest city). The high school opened in 2014. While some residents are committed to establishing a sense of community, the fact that the town has been built from the ground up means that many residents are new each year as more neighborhoods and homes are built. It can be difficult to establish and cultivate community roots and traditions.
Even though the high school is young, it has already become the TOP performing public high school in the county (San Joaquin County) out of 66 high schools. Mountain House High School has a graduation rate of 99% whereas San Joaquin County and the entire State of California have a graduation rate of 86%. Moreover, 85% of the graduating seniors at Mountain House have been accepted to a four-year university. That number is 72% for the state and that number accounts for both four-year and two-year colleges. Standardized tests reveal that Mountain House outperforms all other public high schools in the county.
The project I would design is called “Mountain House: Our town, Our pride”. The purpose of this project would be to help residents become more informed about the academic achievements, student accomplishments, programs, and positive activities happening at the high school. Many people in town disassociate from the high school because they do not have children attending it. I think if more of my neighbors knew about the magnificent kids in their community, they would be more likely to offer their support. Many of the high school’s sporting events are sparsely attended. A strong public high school can help bring people together, increase community pride, and show what our young people are capable of when they are supported.
My community project would include three components/areas of focus. First, I would create a monthly community spotlight that could be shared through the town website, social media pages, local newsletters, and community boards. This spotlight would highlight student awards, academic achievements, sports accomplishments, clubs, service projects, college acceptances, and teacher or staff recognition. The goal would be to make school success more visible to everyone, not just students and parents. Second, I would organize community pride events where students and residents could interact more often. These could include an annual “Mustang Celebrities” night, a student showcase event that features music and art performances, cultural dances, and an awards/ recognition presentation. Local businesses could also participate by displaying student artwork, congratulating academic teams, or sponsoring school programs. This would help students feel supported beyond the school campus and remind residents that the high school is an important part of the town’s identity. Third, I would create stronger partnerships between the school, local businesses, and our newly formed city council and mayor’s office. Students could be invited to present projects, share research, volunteer at community events, or work with local groups. This would not only promote school pride but also help students build leadership skills and real-world experience.
I would focus on this project because a school should not feel separate from the community around it. When a high school is performing well, the entire town benefits. It can improve the reputation of the community, inspire younger students, and encourage families to feel more connected to where they live. Mountain House has a lot to be proud of, but people need better ways to see and celebrate that progress.
Overall, my project would be about communication, recognition, and unity. Mountain House High School has already achieved a lot in a short amount of time. Now the next step is making sure the whole community knows about those achievements so that those who deserve to be celebrated can be celebrated. School pride should not belong only to staff, students, and parents. It should be something the entire town can support, promote, and celebrate.