Hoover Teacher Inspires Students At Super Bowl

For Hoover Middle School music teacher Rebecca DeLuna, her Super Bowl performance was an extension of the classroom.

As a violist with Mariachi Divas, DeLuna joined an elite group of musicians performing alongside global artist Bad Bunny during the Super Bowl halftime show, bringing her artistry to one of the most watched events in the world. But back at Hoover, the moment quickly became something more meaningful: a source of pride, connection, and inspiration for her students.

“My students were in shock. They said ‘I saw you.’ They were proud. It was very sweet. They were inspired, asking me to teach them my part.

DeLuna admitted she felt the same mix of excitement and uncertainty she often sees in her own students when they try something new.

“I was nervous, not knowing what to expect, just like my students. I was able to have this opportunity, and I tell them they can have opportunities like this too.”

DeLuna says the experience allowed students to see what is possible when passion, discipline, and identity come together. Her journey, from learning music as a young student to performing on an international stage, mirrors the message she shares daily in her classroom: their talents can take them anywhere.

Beyond the performance itself, DeLuna emphasized the deeper meaning behind the moment, one rooted in representation, collaboration, and belonging.

“The message was clear: inclusivity and diversity. There were Latino musicians, Black musicians, Alaskans, Costa Ricans, Asians, we are all part of this country, we all contribute to the greatness of America. We deserve to be in spaces like this and it’s beautiful when we collaborate together. It was a beautiful day. We’re all here to stay, we’re not going anywhere.”

At Hoover Middle School, that message resonated loudly. Students saw not just a teacher on television, but a reflection of their own cultures, identities, and aspirations. Her performance became a real-world lesson in perseverance, pride, and community.

DeLuna continues to use the experience to motivate her students, reminding them that excellence is not reserved for someone else. It belongs to them, too.

In Long Beach Unified, moments like this affirm what educators strive to show every day: when students see themselves in the story, they begin to believe they can write their own.