Thurgood Marshall Secondary School

09/30/2026

Celebrating Santiago Smith-Ruiz a Thurgood Marshall Senior, named Head Drum Major for the Pasadena Unified School District 2026-27 All-Star Band. The PUSD All-Star Band will perform the 5.5 mile parade route down Colorado Boulevard at the Pasadena Tournament of Roses, 138th Rose Parade presented by Honda.
The competition was fierce! Four incredible band leaders from across the district vied for this prestigious spot. Each candidate had to demonstrate top-tier leadership skills, write a compelling essay, and ace a panel interview. As Head Drum Major, Santiago will hold the whistle to command the entire band. Congratulations to Assistant Drum Majors: Joshua Martinez, John Muir High School; Oscar O'Connor, Blair High School; and Ian To, Pasadena High School.
Rose Parade, here they come!

09/30/2026

Black Education Expo for K-12
Saturday, October 3, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Pasadena Convention Center - Free Admission - All are welcome.
Wellness and Career Workshops and more.

09/29/2026

More celebratory images from Monday's Tournament of Roses Announcement, where Maria Teresa McDonald was announced as one of the seven Pasadena Tournament of Roses® 2027 Rose Court members presented by Visit Newport Beach.

On the Tournament of Roses South Lawn were hundreds of people and nearly 40 Marshall students to cheer Maria on, including her parents, Dr. Brian and Varinia McDonald, Thurgood Marshall Principal Ms. Lori Touloumian, the Counseling Team: Ms. Zitlaly Calderon, Ms. Nicole Chan, Ms. Britney Navarro, and Ms. Maria Torres. Public Relations & Marketing: Ms. Felita Kealing; Newspaper and Yearbook Staff Members: Talessa Ofumbi and Andrew Sweet; the Associated Student Body (ASB) President, Madeline Garcia; Senior Class President, Christina Maradian; the ASB Cabinet and Commissioners; along with ASB Advisor, Mr. Kevin Smith.
Also pictured with Maria's parent is Terry Madigan, President and Chairman of the board for the 2027 Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association
Congratulations, Maria Teresa; we are looking forward to your

As part of the Royal Court they will attend nearly 100 community and media functions, serving as ambassadors of the Tournament of Roses, the Pasadena community, and the greater Los Angeles area. In addition, on January 1, 2027, she will ride in the 138th Rose Parade® presented by Honda and attend the 113th Rose Bowl Game® presented by Prudential Financial.

Congratulations, Maria; we are so proud of you!
Rose Parade

09/28/2026

Four Days until HOCO, Theme Reveal.
Today's hint is...Ralph Lauren Logo

09/28/2026

Celebrating Maria Teresa McDonald, Thurgood Marshall Senior, announced to the
Pasadena Tournament of Roses® 2027 Rose Court.

Maria is one of the seven members of the 2027 Rose Court presented by Visit Newport Beach, and she was revealed as a Rose Princess at the event, which was held this morning in the presence of about 200 people on the south lawn of Tournament House. This included Ms. Lori Touloumian, Thurgood Marshall Principal, the Counseling Staff, the Associated Student Body (ASB), Marshall Public Relations, and the Journalism Newspaper and Yearbook staff members.

The Volunteer Members of the Tournament of Roses’ Queen & Court Committee selected the Rose Court based on several criteria, including academic achievement, community and school involvement, public speaking ability, and youth leadership.

Rose Court members become a part of the Rose Court legacy and are provided the benefits of connecting to their community and giving back in meaningful ways. The Tournament of Roses has a long-standing tradition of celebrating educational excellence and continues that legacy by awarding each Rose Court member a $7,500 academic scholarship!

The Rose Queen® and Rose Court represent cherished traditions within the history of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses. This legacy continues with the Announcement and Coronation of the 108th Rose Queen and the presentation of the 2027 Rose Court, to be held on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, on the front lawn of Tournament House.

09/28/2026

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ICE CREAM!
Come out and support PUSD's Student Think Tank
Monday, September 28th from 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Handel's Homemade Ice Cream, 3405 East Foothill Blvd., Pasadena (424-Handels)
20% of the proceeds go directly to the PUSD Think Tank.

09/28/2026

09/28/2026

On Friday members of the Oakwood Brass Program presented a concert to our 6th-grade students. The concert focused on teaching students about the history of brass instruments and music concepts through age-appropriate music selections from multiple genres of music.
The Oakwood Brass Program is designed to walk students through the process by which a brass instrumentalist produces sound, from breathing to buzzing, in a fun and interactive way. The program was high energy and its purpose is to promote the desire among students to study a brass instrument in their school music program

09/28/2026

On Friday members of the Oakwood Brass Program presented a concert to our 6th-grade students. The concert focused on teaching students about the history of brass instruments and music concepts through age-appropriate music selections from multiple genres of music.
The Oakwood Brass Program is designed to walk students through the process by which a brass instrumentalist produces sound, from breathing to buzzing, in a fun and interactive way. The program was high energy and its purpose is to promote the desire among students to study a brass instrument in their school music program

09/28/2026

This morning, Monday, September 28, 2026, Maria Teresa McDonald, a Thurgood Marshall Senior, will stand on the steps of the Tournament House as one of only 28 finalists awaiting the results for the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Rose Court! 🌹✨Out of hundreds of applicants, she is hoping to be selected as one of the seven young women who will become the 2027 Tournament of Roses Royal Court.
📍 Spot Maria in the finalist photo: Row 2, fourth from the left ( #235)!