Gabriela Sepulveda was a special guest Friday at Joshua Cowell Elementary School’s 30th birthday celebration.

The Bay Area singer-songwriter has appeared on a number of national and international television programs including American Idol back in 2016.

 “It’s an honor and privilege to be here,” she proclaimed at the special morning assembly held in the school courtyard.

Principal Stacy Valencia noted that the anniversary celebration – tabbed as a “birthday” for the younger students – was being held in conjunction with National Mexican Heritage Month, from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, making it a “Fiesta,” she said.

Sepulveda, who performs regional Mexican, Mariachi, and Pop – the late Selena Quintanilla served as an inspiration for the 25-year-old performer from San Jose – entertained those at the gathering, consisting of current and former teachers, administrators, and staff.

This included teacher Jerri Brown, who has been at the school since its opening on Sept. 28, 1994, coupled with a handful of the original staff that made the move to Joshua Cowell from Yosemite School.

The Manteca Unified campus is named after the man who established the Manteca townsite. Valencia echoed that, informing those at the assembly on how the school got its name.

Previous principals were Harriet Myrick, Bonnie Bennett, and Christie Newman. Valencia has been in charge of the Joshua Cowell administrative team since 2021.

For Brown, the school has always been her home away from home. “I spent half my life here – the people here are like my second family,” she added.

Brown, in addition, joked about her classroom as still having the pink cabinets from Day 1.