School Pride Episode 1.06 Pride of the Neighborhood

Danny and Lauren beg School Pride to visit Hollenbeck Middle School in Boyle Heights, California. It's a school in such desperate need that even Mayor Villaraigosa hasn't been able to fix it!

The cafeteria is dusty, dark and hasn't been renovated in decades. Some of the benches are falling apart and many of the tables are covered in graffiti.

Instead of a computer lab, Hollenbeck has a "computer junkyard." How can students succeed without up-to-date technology?

Hollenbeck's prayers are answered when the School Pride team takes the stage! They've only got seven days to make Hollenbeck great.

Before the remodel can begin, the rooms must be cleaned out. Tom works with Enrique Legaspi, a teacher at Hollenbeck for seven years, who admits to spending his own money to get his students necessary school supplies.

Lauren shows Susie the "garden area" of Hollenbeck. It looks like a mound of dirt covered in used garbage bags.

Jacob talks to Mr. Rodriguez, a teacher at Hollenbeck for over 30 years. He feels that Mayor Villaraigosa hasn't done enough to fix the school's infrastructure.

It'll take over 2,000 gallons of paint to get Hollenbeck looking beautiful again. While applying a new coat to a classroom wall, Danny tells Whitley that Mr. Legaspi is his favorite teacher.

The trees need trimming and the gardens need tending, so there's only one place to go: Home Depot!

Whitley meets with a muralist to make sure the vision for the new cafeteria is stylish, fresh, and inviting.

Jacob interviews Aba Ramirez, a community member who's angered by the fact that Mayor Villagaroisa isn't helping to renovate the school. Jacob leaves this meeting more determined than ever to meet the Mayor.

The class of '86 surprises Mr. Rodriguez with hugs and an earnest promise to remodel his room! In his 34 years of teaching, it's clear Mr. Rodriguez has made a huge impact on many students.

While Whitley and Dallas have a blast painting the cafeteria, Susie uses her trusty OnStar GPS to lead her back to the Hollenbeck campus so she can help out too.

That's not just anyone helping out with Hollenbeck's garden - that's Los Angeles Laker Derek Fisher! Danny and Lauren are so overcome with excitement they can barely speak.

Though Mayor Villaraigosa's efforts have improved the quality of Hollenbeck's education, the infrastructure is still crumbling. Jacob and Aba urge the Mayor to do more for his hometown school. It deserves better.

In order to congratulate the students on a job well done, Tom sends them all to a Dodger game! But it's Mr. Legaspi who gets the biggest treat: he throws the first pitch of the game!

Danny, Lauren and all their friends arrive at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. They can't wait to run down the halls of a brand new Hollenbeck!

The first stop is the brand new outdoor cafeteria. It's bright, inviting and there's no sign of graffiti anywhere!

Next, Susie unveils the Hollenbeck "teaching garden," a place where the children can hang out and learn about nutrition and growing organic vegetables.

Hollenbeck legend Mr. Rodriguez is amazed by his remodeled classroom. He's especially impressed by the new furniture and up-to-date technology.

Honorary Dodger Mr. Legaspi tears up when he sees his new room. He went from having one broken-down laptop to having 10 new computers with all the latest programs!

As evidenced by the sprawling sports complex, School Pride has never renovated a bigger school!

Jacob shoots some hoops with the students and reminds them that none of this would be possible without the help of the community.