Spring is quickly giving way to summer here in the Coachella Valley — a shift that signals the beginning of graduation season and the end of the 2024-25 school year.

Although Cal State San Bernardino’s Palm Desert Campus does not hold its spring commencement locally, the Class of 2025 will be among the first to turn their tassels from right to left on May 16-17 at Toyota Arena in Ontario, where about 3,100 students from both the Palm Desert and San Bernardino campuses are expected to participate.

The Watson College of Education will graduate 20 students from its educational leadership doctoral program, the most ever in the university’s history.

Also in this week's education roundup: La Quinta High School plans to rename its football field and gymnasium in honor of Dan Armstrong and the late Tom Jenkins, respectively; and Nehemiah Johnson, a student at Nellie Coffman Middle School in Cathedral City, will soon appear on the silver screen in a Hollywood film.

Did we miss a noteworthy education story? Raise your hand and send it my way: [email protected].

The main entrance to La Quinta High School in La Quinta, Calif., Wednesday, April 16, 2025.

La Quinta High School to rename its football field and gym after two influential coaches

La Quinta High School's football field and main gym will soon carry the names of two influential figures in the Blackhawks' athletic history.

The football field will be renamed Armstrong Field in honor of Dan Armstrong, the high school's first athletic director and longtime football coach.

Armstrong led the Blackhawks for 23 seasons — the longest coaching tenure in school history — guiding the football team to 10 Desert Valley League titles, two CIF championships, nine CIF semifinal appearances and 23 consecutive playoff berths.

Armstrong also mentored more than 30 student-athletes who played at the college level, including four who attended NFL training camps. He also created the Special Buddies program to build connections between the football players and students in the special education department.

The school's main gym will be named for the late Tom Jenkins, a former teacher and wrestling coach who helped build the high school's wrestling program. Jenkins passed away in 2013 after a battle with cancer.

He built a wrestling dynasty over 12 years, leading his team to 52 straight league wins, eight DVL titles and three CIF championships. He also shaped campus life as the activities director and ASB teacher, promoting a positive school culture.

How a student from Nellie Coffman Middle School got his start in Hollywood

It's not every day a student gets discovered on Instagram — let alone through an account run by one of Palm Springs Unified School District's enrichment programs. But that's how Nehemiah Johnson landed on Hollywood's radar.

Seen here on set in Los Angeles with Mekhi Phifer, Nellie Coffman Middle School student Nehemiah Johnson will soon make his Hollywood debut.

Nehemiah Johnson, who attends Nellie N. Coffman Middle School in Cathedral City, was discovered last winter by a colleague of filmmaker Christian Sesma after appearing on the Instagram page of the Young Creators Student Film Program, which he had joined to explore his interest in filmmaking.

Johnson, who also goes by Nemo, submitted an audition and landed the part — a speaking role as the son of Hollywood veteran Mekhi Phifer.

The film, an action-packed suspense, is still without an official title, but younger viewers may carry a viewer discretion warning, with additional details set to be revealed at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.

Here's what Johnson had to say about his experience:

Tell us about your experience auditioning and then landing the role of Mekhi Phifer's son. What was going through your mind during that process?

NJ: I was shocked, happy and surprised when my mom told me that I was going to audition for a Hollywood movie. Once I started the audition, I felt a lot of confidence and courage. I believed I could do it. It was so exciting!

What can you tell us about your character, and the role your character plays in the film? (If you are able to share, that is.)

NJ: I play the role of Eli, Mekhi’s 6-year-old son. I’m scared and hiding under my bed because I saw a masked man. My "dad" comes in my room and checks on me and we talk about it, then he puts me back in the bed. That’s all I can say about it.

What have you learned so far from this experience that you didn't expect — either about acting or the film industry?

NJ: I learned that acting is actually pretty hard. It’s not as easy as I thought it would be. It takes a lot of time to make a movie. My scene with Mekhi Phifer is short, only a few minutes long, but it took HOURS to film it. I also learned that everything happens so fast and at the last minute. I found out I was going to Hollywood the day before I did — and also, working in Hollywood, you have to be up at four in the morning.

Nehemiah Johnson, a Nellie Coffman Middle School student, plays Eli, the son of Hollywood veteran Mekhi Phifer, in an upcoming untitled film.

What advice would you give to other students who hope to follow a similar path?

NJ: GO FOR IT! Don’t give up! If you fall down, get back up and keep trying! You never know when something may come up for you. Do your best.

Anything else you'd like to add about this opportunity?

NJ: I recommend Young Creators to students who want to get into acting. It’s perfect for them. Young Creators teaches about acting, filming, and directing movies. Young Creators made me feel like I can go far with an acting career.

Jennifer Cortez covers education in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: La Quinta High School to rename its football field and gym after two influential coaches