We’re thrilled to announce the arrival of our brand-new school mascot — the Hummingbird!

Known for its energy, resilience, and vibrant spirit, the hummingbird perfectly represents the values we cherish at Santa Rita Elementary. Just like these remarkable little birds, our students are curious, determined, and always in motion — learning, growing, and striving for greatness every day.

Keep an eye out as the hummingbird begins to take flight across our campus — in our classrooms, at school events, and in the hearts of our school community. We can’t wait to see our new mascot inspire students to soar!

Go Hummingbirds!

Dr. Summer Prather-Smith is a proud alum who graduated from Gavilan View Middle School in 1989 as part of the first 8th-grade class to complete their education at the newly established campus, which had previously been part of La Joya Elementary. She attended La Joya from 1st through 6th grade before transitioning to Gavilan View for 7th and 8th grade.

Growing up in the district, Summer experienced the care, dedication, and encouragement of teachers, staff, and mentors who believed in her, inspiring her lifelong commitment to giving back to the community. As both an alum and a parent of children who also attended SRUSD schools, she is dedicated to ensuring that all students have the same positive and supportive experiences she had.

Summer has held the role of Director of Engagement and School Climate for four years, bringing to the position over a decade of teaching experience within the district and nine years at the Monterey County Office of Education. Returning to SRUSD allowed her to blend a broader county-level perspective with deep roots in the community she calls home.

What Summer enjoys most about her work is forming meaningful connections with students—listening to their stories, understanding their challenges, and celebrating their growth. Having been a challenging student herself, she sees reflections of her own journey in many of the students she supports, fueling her passion to believe in and uplift them.

She also values the collaborative work of her team, which includes mental health providers, community liaisons, restorative practices staff, and expanded learning coordinators, all committed to creating a caring and connected environment where students and families thrive.

As an alum, Summer has a unique perspective; having walked the same hallways and faced similar challenges, she relates authentically to students and families, building trust and modeling the possibilities that come with perseverance and support.

The advice she most often shares with students is to never underestimate their potential—encouraging them to see setbacks not as failures but as shaping experiences, to believe in themselves, seek help when needed, and remember that their voices and futures truly matter.

Orlando graduated from SRUSD in 2005 after attending La Joya Elementary and Gavilan View Middle School. His positive experience as a student inspired him to return to the district in a professional capacity, driven by a desire to enhance the quality of education and support for both students and staff.

He currently serves as an Accountant, a role he’s held since 2021, after beginning his career with the district as an Accounts Clerk in 2017. Orlando enjoys collaborating with a dedicated team to secure grants and funding, and he takes pride in contributing to strategic planning efforts that ensure resources are effectively allocated to support academic success.

While his role doesn’t involve direct interaction with students, he supports all ASB clubs across the district and offers valuable input on fundraisers, special events, and gamedays—drawing from his own experience as a former student.

His advice to current students is simple but impactful: pass all your classes the first time, and get involved in as many sports and clubs as you can, because those opportunities can shape your future in meaningful ways.