Artist Ibi Zoboi standing in front of a mural (April 2022) [Photo courtesy Pasadena Unified School District]

Dr. Brian McDonald [Photo courtesy Pasadena Unified School District]

Dr. Malone, Orduna, Tyrone Hampton [Photo courtesy Pasadena Unified School District]

Dr. Shannon Malone [Photo courtesy Pasadena Unified School District]

Noemi Orduna, Judy Choo [Photo courtesy Pasadena Unified School District]

OEB renamed group photo [Photo courtesy Pasadena Unified School District]

A Pasadena Unified Middle School proves that a name means something and a change is a good thing. Going forward, Washington Middle School will be known as Octavia E. Butler Magnet, a dual-language STEAM middle school. The name change was made official at a ceremony held at the school on Thursday, September 15th.

“Tonight is more than just a name change. I see her as a role model and I know that change comes from all the wonderful children we can learn from her legacy.

Octavia E. Butler is a well-known science fiction writer who began writing some of her early novels at Washington Middle School. She graduated from John Shea Muir High School in 1965 and left her literary legacy. Despite her poverty and learning disabilities, she earned the highest honor in her science fiction field.

Hazel Vukojevich, a recent OEB graduate and PHS 9th grader, designed the new oak tree logo. Hazel said it was important for her children to be proud of their school’s name, which Octavia E. Butler-Magnet said was more accurately aligned with her alma mater’s values. I was.

“Octavia E. Butler pursued science, literature and change. She believed in equality and improvement and cared about the future. We feel it represents who we want to be,” added Vukojevich.

At a ceremony attended by students, teachers, parents, and elected officials, Dr. Shannon Malone, PUSD Senior Director of K-12 Schools and former Principal Octavia E. Butler Magnet, read a letter written by Octavia E. Butler. rice field. In 2000, President Bill Clinton responded to his call for some of our nation’s “greatest thinkers” to project visions of the future. In it, she says education can change everything.

“Mr. President: Of course, education is the key to hope for a comfortable and prosperous future… Education at its best teaches us to keep learning so we can cope with what the future brings… me It shows what we are doing now and how we are educating the poorest and clearly the most unpromising among us.”

Shylo Hightower, a student of Octavia E Butler, is empowered by the school’s new namesake.

“As a 21st-century African-American woman, I feel it’s very important that people who look like me have leadership. It’s an honor to go to the Octavia E. Butler Magnet,” said Hightower. said.