Pacoima Intersection Dedicated to Anita Zepeda
Los Angeles city officials honored the longtime educator with a ceremony at a local intersection today.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Hispanic
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City officials have dedicated the intersection of Herrick Avenue and Paxton Street in Pacoima as Anita Zepeda Square. The ceremony recognized Zepeda for her 35-year career as a bilingual educator and youth advocate in the Northeast San Fernando Valley.
Why it matters
The naming honors Zepeda's legacy as a cornerstone of the regional education system, specifically for her role in shaping local charter school opportunities. Her efforts helped establish a network that continues to provide academic services to the community.
Anita Zepeda led the Vaughn Next Century Learning Center, which was authorized as a charter school in 1993. The organization now comprises five separate schools serving the local student population.
The players
Anita Zepeda
She is a retired bilingual educator who served as the executive director of the Vaughn Next Century Learning Center.
Monica Rodriguez
She is a Los Angeles City Councilwoman who authored the motion to dedicate the intersection in Pacoima.
Vaughn Next Century Learning Center
This is a charter school network consisting of five separate schools in the Northeast San Fernando Valley.
The details
Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez authored the motion to name the site after Zepeda, who served as the executive director of the Vaughn Next Century Learning Center. Zepeda and Rodriguez both participated in a speaking engagement at the intersection to mark the official dedication.
Timeline
The Vaughn Next Century Learning Center received its charter authorization in 1993.
The dedication ceremony occurred at 10:30 a.m. on September 21, 2026.
Culture Shift
This dedication follows the standard municipal administrative process established by the City of Los Angeles for honoring community figures. It reflects a growing trend of cities prioritizing local recognition for educational leaders alongside historical political figures.
Residents in the Pacoima area will see new street signage at the intersection of Herrick Avenue and Paxton Street. This change does not impact the existing traffic flow or postal addresses for the nearby properties.
The takeaway
Recognizing educators through municipal infrastructure highlights the vital role of local school leadership in building community identity. Residents can look for similar naming initiatives in their own neighborhoods to see how local leaders are being honored.
Further reading
Learn more about local cultural figures and community milestones in our Hispanic section.
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