Beyond the Books:
Over 100 Students Become Published Authors in San Bernardino County
On May 5, 2025, the Dorothy Ingham Learning Center in San Bernardino was filled with celebration, emotion, and pride as more than 100 students from eight County Community Schools were honored as newly published authors. The event, titled “Beyond the Books,” was a collaboration between the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools and IMPACTtruth, marking a transformative milestone in youth literacy, empowerment, and storytelling.
These students participated in Literature to Life, an IMPACTtruth initiative that empowers young people to reflect on their lived experiences, uncover valuable life lessons, and transform them into original written works. Each student-authored book focused on a core value—such as courage, empathy, gratitude, perseverance, and resilience—demonstrating how personal challenges can evolve into powerful messages of growth and leadership.
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A Celebration of Student Voice
The event featured powerful remarks from community and educational leaders, including:
- County Superintendent Ted Alejandre
- Assistant Superintendent Myrlene Pierre
- Dr. Scott Wyatt, Area Director of Student Services, SBCSS
- Roy Juarez, Jr., Founder and CEO of IMPACTtruth, award-winning author, and motivational speaker
Each speaker highlighted the importance of education, storytelling, and affirming youth voices. Roy Juarez, Jr., who once experienced homelessness as a youth, reminded students that “you are the authors of your stories—and your future.”
In one of the most moving moments of the event, three student authors took the stage to share reflections from their personal writing journeys. With courage and authenticity, they spoke about the challenges they’ve overcome and how writing helped them discover strength, healing, and purpose. Their stories brought the audience to their feet and underscored the real-world impact of giving students space to own their narratives.
Transforming Struggles Into Strength
For many of the students, this was their first time writing and sharing their stories publicly. The process was not only about writing a book—it was about reclaiming identity, building confidence, and learning to see value in one’s journey.
The eight schools represented and their respective book themes were:
- Yucca Valley County Community School – Courage
- Vision County Community School – Empathy
- David Stine Chaffey West County Community School – Gratitude
- Barbara Phelps County Community School – Integrity
- Victorville Education Center – Perseverance
- Chaffey North County Community School – Resilience
- Bob Murphy County Community School – Respect
- Tri-City County Community School – Responsibility
A Partnership for Change
San Bernardino County, the largest geographic county in the United States, serves over 400,000 students across diverse and often underserved communities. Through its visionary support of programs like Beyond the Books, the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools is helping ensure that students—regardless of background—have access to meaningful, life-affirming educational experiences.
IMPACTtruth, founded in 2005 by Roy Juarez, Jr., is a human development company dedicated to empowering youth, families, and educators through truth-centered programming, leadership development, and personal storytelling. Over the years, IMPACTtruth has impacted millions of lives nationwide, offering tools for transformation rooted in the belief that truth leads to impact.
Looking Ahead
The success of The Literature To Life Program – Beyond The Book Series is only the beginning. These 100+ students leave not just as authors but as ambassadors of courage and hope. Their words will go on to inspire classmates, families, and communities—proof that when young people are empowered to own their stories, they begin to own their futures.
Stay tuned for more updates and IMPACT stories from the Literature to Life program, and join us in celebrating the next generation of changemakers—one book at a time.