CAA Salutes & Honors Dr. Martin Luther King's Legacy
DeAnna Pursai • January 19, 2026
CAA embraces the spirit of MLK's legacy
On this auspicious day celebrating the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., College of Adaptive Arts strives each day to live the legacy inspired by Dr. King.
College of Adaptive Arts embraces the spirit of Dr. King by providing a lifelong collegiate model to adults who historically haven't had access to higher education. It's based on the premise that everyone has value to learn, connect, and contribute.
What's truly refreshing about this lifelong learning model is the power of teamwork, inclusivity, and support for one another. Many of our staff have declared disabilities. They work tirelessly to support each other, back each other up, set their teammates up for optimal success.
The students are off all ethnicities, backgrounds, disabilities, and ages over 18 when the college stage begins. Their support and goodwill for each other is a true shining light for us all to embrace. They know when each other is hurting, and they go out of their way to support and be a helping hand. They liberally give compliments in class on the thoughts and ideas each other present. They work alongside each other and hold space for each other to be who they are.
These are most complex times we are living through. The College of Adaptive Arts model is truly a shining light on the best of humanity and human dignity and goodwill. We invite you to experience this vibrant lifelong learning model through a student-led tour each Friday CAA classes are in session, 1pm PST online virtual and 2:30pm PST in-person on the beautiful campus of West Valley College in Saratoga, CA: https://www.collegeofadaptivearts.org/tour-landing-page
Ravinder has done *so much* to Move the Mountain for College of Adaptive Arts :)
Jonathan strives to be an NFL Cheerleader one day.
When Samuel Hinojosa first discovered his passion for videography and the performing arts, a passion he says is in his genes because he has family who are also in the arts, participating in theater productions and expressing himself through dance became a part of his daily routine. But when he turned 22, he suddenly aged out of the programs he had come to love, leaving a gap in both his routine and his creative outlet. That’s when a chance meeting completely changed his life. Samuel was in an Angels on Stage production when he just so happened to meet DeAnna Pursai and Dr. Pamela Lindsay in the audience. Realizing he was about to age out of Angels on Stage, they encouraged him to explore the opportunities available to him at CAA. Their guidance led him to finding a new beginning. At CAA, Samuel quickly found a place where he could continue to grow creatively. He enrolled in videography, acting, and dance classes, reconnecting him with his passion for performing. After taking many performing arts classes, Samuel started exploring what other classes CAA had to offer. He has joined the CAA Go Green Climate Action Class, where he did a phenomenal presentation on UNESCO and how climate change is impacting his native roots community in Mexico. Now in his second semester at CAA, Samuel has expanded his interests beyond just the stage and production lens. He’s developed an interest in bodybuilding and nutrition, exploring what those classes can teach him and how he can use that new confidence to improve his life. CAA’s supportive environment has allowed Samuel to continue exploring his passions, while also discovering new ones. It doesn’t matter if he is behind the camera, performing, or focusing on his health and fitness goals, CAA is constantly pushing Samuel to try new things and grow. For Samuel, CAA is not just a place for him to take classes, it is a community where he can express himself, try new things, and keep moving forward. — Written by Nina Pal Volunteer
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