Congresswoman Luz Rivas Welcomes Pacoima Charter Elementary Principal Sylvia Fajardo as State of the Union Guest

LOS ANGELES — Congresswoman Luz Rivas (CA-29) announced that Sylvia Fajardo, executive director and principal of Pacoima Charter Elementary School and a United States Marine Corps (USMC) veteran, will be her guest to the State of the Union on February 24.

“Sylvia Fajardo is an immigrant, a veteran, a fighter, and the embodiment of the American Dream,” said Congresswoman Rivas. “As principal of Pacoima Charter Elementary School and a Marine veteran, Sylvia understands what it truly means to dedicate your life to serving our community and our country with honor. Every day, Sylvia shows up to fight to improve the lives of her students and their families. Her resolve and steady leadership have been on full display as Donald Trump unleashed ICE agents into our communities to wreak havoc and chaos. As Donald Trump lays out his vision that prioritizes billionaires over working families and inflicts further harm on our immigrant communities, Sylvia will be my guest to the State of the Union to serve as a powerful reminder of what true leadership, service, and patriotism looks like.”

“I am honored to join Congresswoman Rivas as her guest to the State of the Union,” said Fajardo. “Our community in Pacoima has faced many challenges over the past year because of Donald Trump and ICE. I have seen firsthand how ICE’s terror has impacted the students and families I work with. Students and families deserve to go to school free from fear and harm at the hands of this Administration. Congresswoman Rivas has been an outstanding partner in standing up for our neighbors against this Administration, and I look forward to continuing working with her to protect the community she and I both call home.”

Background:

Syliva Fajardo was born and raised in Chihuahua, Mexico and immigrated to the United States at the age of 13. She learned English through courses at San Fernando Middle School and San Fernando High School. After graduating high school, Sylvia became a naturalized citizen.

Sylvia enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served for eight years. After receiving an honorable discharge from the Marine Corps, Sylvia began a career in education, teaching K-3 classes in the San Fernando Valley. She later received her master’s degree in education administration from California State University, Northridge in 1999. 

She became the assistant principal at Pacoima Charter Elementary School in 1999 and has served as the school’s executive director since 2008.

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