[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 152 (Tuesday, August 31, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E941-E942]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING DR. BLANCA CAVAZOS AS SUPERINTENDENT OF THE TAFT UNION HIGH 
                            SCHOOL DISTRICT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. KEVIN McCARTHY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 31, 2021

  Mr. McCARTHY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Blanca Cavazos 
after nearly four decades of public service to our community. Blanca is 
stepping down as the Superintendent of the Taft Union High School 
District after dedicating 39 years of combined service to the Kern High 
School District, Kern County Superintendent of Schools, and most 
recently, the Taft Union High School District.
  Blanca's life exemplifies what it means to achieve the American 
Dream. Born in Mexico to farmworker parents, Blanca's family moved to 
Arvin, California when she was three years old. After graduating high 
school, Blanca enrolled in California State University, Bakersfield 
(CSUB), where she earned her bachelor's degree in Liberal Studies and 
earned two master's degrees: one in Bilingual Cross-Cultural Education 
and one in Educational Administration.
  In 1997, Blanca served Arvin High School--her alma mater--as the 
school's first woman and minority principal, beginning her career as a 
trailblazer in the field of education. She led the school to great 
success by doubling the number of Advanced Placement courses offered to 
students, building up the school's We the People civics education 
program, and providing educational trainings to parents on high school 
graduation requirements and the college application process. In 2011, 
she brought her talent to bear to the Task Force Administrator position 
at the Kern High School District and later as the Chief Instructional 
Officer for the Kern County Superintendent of Schools. In 2013, she 
received her doctorate in education from Fresno State University and 
was appointed to the role of Superintendent of the Taft Union High 
School District, where she has selflessly served over the past eight 
years as the district's first woman superintendent.
  Throughout her life, Blanca has broken many barriers and gone above 
and beyond for her students, colleagues, and community. Bakersfield 
Life Magazine showcased her service in multiple editions, including 
``Ladies Who Lead Schools'' and ``Thirteen People to Watch.'' In 
addition to her work, Blanca has spent time serving on the Finance 
Committee, Audit Committee, and State Board of Directors for the 
Association of California School Administrators. In 2019, she received 
the Administrator of the Year Award from the Association of California 
School Administrators and in 2020, she was inducted to the CSUB Alumni 
Hall of Fame.
  Blanca's commitment to our community is undeniable. She has touched 
the lives of many, watching her students grow into the

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next generation of leaders. Although she will be greatly missed, I am 
confident that her record of service will continue to impact the people 
of Taft and the rest of Kern County for years to come. On behalf of the 
people of the 23rd Congressional District of California, I want to 
thank Blanca for her steadfast service to our community, and I wish her 
and her family only the best as she embarks on the next chapter in her 
life.

                          ____________________