While his peers go out to get lunch, Noel Medrano goes to the practice room every break between classes to improve his playing technique. This persistence to perfect his music has made Medrano a meticulous band director, a job he takes on during the summer at his old high school, John H. Read more...

Photo: Noel Medrano applied to UCLA three times with the goal to be a high school band director. (Brandon Choe/Daily Bruin senior staff)

Throughout his life, Sidney Thompson has seen students turn to gang violence because they were not given the tools to succeed by their educators. Thompson now has two goals: to recruit teachers to a UCLA graduate program specializing in underserved youth and to rewrite the way algebra is taught in schools – both to give all students a fair shot at academic success. Read more...

Photo: Sid Thompson, 83, is a volunteer mentor for the UCLA Principal Leadership Institute. The institute trains teachers in urban areas to become administrators. (Felicia Ramirez/Daily Bruin senior staff)