GGUSD Renames School in Honor of Family who Helped End School Segregation

Saturday, August 8, 2026

Garden Grove Unified School District (GGUSD) celebrated the official renaming of Rosita Elementary School to Frank and Irene Palomino Elementary School during a moving ribbon-cutting ceremony held Thursday, August 6. Nearly 200 people attended the historic celebration, including generations of the Palomino family, elected officials, GGUSD and Rosita students and staff, and community members.

Frank and Irene Palomino were among five plaintiff families in the landmark Mendez et al. v. Westminster et al. case, which helped end school segregation in California and laid important groundwork for the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Brown v. Board of Education. The Palomino family lived directly across the street from the school for generations, and their children attended Rosita Elementary, Irvine Intermediate and Los Amigos High School.

“As a district, we deeply value the diversity of the communities we serve and honor the courageous families whose fight for equality helped make GGUSD the wonderfully diverse district it is today,” said Board of Education President Bob Harden. “We are especially grateful to the Palomino family for entrusting us with their story and allowing us to preserve and share this important legacy with generations of students.”

The celebration included remarks from Superintendent Gabriela Mafi, Board President Harden, Trustee Walter Muneton, fifth-grade student Sofia Perez and members of the Palomino family. Students also performed “Cielito Lindo,” and elected officials presented certificates recognizing the significance of the occasion before joining the Palomino family and Board of Education for the ceremonial ribbon cutting.

Trustee Walter Muneton connected with Andrew Palomino, the grandson of Frank and Irene Palomino last year, launching the efforts by connecting district leadership with the Palomino family.

“This renaming is about much more than changing the name on a building. It is about ensuring that every student who walks onto this campus learns that ordinary people can accomplish extraordinary things,” Muneton said. “Because Frank and Irene Palomino had the courage to stand up for what was right, generations of students have benefited.”

The event brought together the Palomino family’s children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren to celebrate the lasting legacy created by Frank and Irene’s courage and commitment to educational equality.

The August 6 celebration marked GGUSD’s first school renaming since 1985. The Board of Education unanimously approved the new name on June 16, 2026, following a community engagement process that included a public survey and public hearing.

Frank and Irene Palomino Elementary School will continue to proudly serve its students and families while ensuring that the Palomino family’s contributions to educational equity remain an enduring part of the school community’s identity.
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