Arcadia Unified School District (AUSD) has awarded its 2026 Profiles in Excellence awards to staff across the district who have demonstrated an exponential public education experience. Among the 24 awarded were Arcadia High School’s (AHS) own staff: Ms. Milica Protic, Mr. David Silah, Mr. Francisco Sunez, and Ms. Gabriela Torres. Congratulations to these AHS staff members and a big thank you for all the work they’ve put into making AHS the best campus possible. The Arcadia Quill has gathered quotes from students and staff expressing their gratitude to the award winners, along with quotes from the award recipients themselves.
Ms. Milica Protic:
“Before Milica became the Academic Support and Independent Studies instructor, she was the Athletic Director for the Athletics department. Milica is a true Coaches Athletic Director! She is the first to help in any way she can! She conquered the COVID-19 years by somehow making it possible for our student athletes to eventually compete. The best thing that came out of knowing Millica is that she became one of my closest friends. I am truly grateful for that!” said Administrative Assistant Ms. Susan Lew.
Mr. David Silah:
Mr. Silah, who has been teaching various math classes at AHS for 32 years, expressed his favorite part about teaching and shared his take on learning in the classroom.
“My favorite part about teaching is just making mathematics come to life in the lives of other people and seeing that moment when they get it. That certainly is a very important part of the profession: doing the best you can on a daily basis to try and reach as many students as possible,” said Mr. Silah. He added that students should “set high goals…whether it be in mathematics, or life, or any particular field, or any particular hobby. Be patient with learning…that would be my biggest piece of advice.”
Fellow AHS math teacher Mr. Albert Sylvia said Mr. Silah has “been [M]ath [D]epartment chairman for over a decade and as such, has been a strong advocate for both students and teachers. In the [90s] he initiated the AP Statistics program which has grown to service over 200 students.”
Mr. Sylvia identified Mr. Silah as a “dedicated math teacher” and “a worthy recipient of this award.”
Mr. Francisco Sunez:
“Mr. Sunez is truly invaluable to our school community [as someone] who offers the exploration of media like no other class. Over the past three years as my teacher, he’s demonstrated his commitment,” said junior Lily Mantooth.
“I think Mr. Sunez is a very good teacher. He really [puts] a lot of dedication into trying to teach his intermediate class how to [produce videos], …and I’m really excited for some of his students from intermediate to coming to advance,” said junior Aiden Yen.
Ms. Gabriela Torres
“[Ms. Torres] is a very expressive person; she’s just very nice. You can openly talk to her about anything,” said sophomore Jessica Lemon.
“I am so grateful for the help and guidance that Mr. Torres provides in the library; the kindness that she shows to the students is genuine, and her [thoughtfulness] and making sure that the library runs efficiently,” said librarian Crystal Mercado.
