But Glendale High School students who saw the fight at their campus said ethnic tension at their school is a reality.
"Armenian and [Latino] students hate each other," said 16-year-old sophomore Natalie Manvelyan. "They think they're better than each other."
But, Natalie added, not all students feel this way.
"If you're involved in school then it's OK," she said. "But if you're not, these are the types that are fighting and don't get along."
On May 23, an altercation happened between two students at the high school during their fourth-period physical education class. The tension from the confrontation spilled over to the lunch hour, when several other fights erupted in different locations on campus. No injuries were reported, but apparently the fight opened up old wounds.
About 20 students involved in the fight were suspended and some were expelled or are going through the expulsion process, Glendale High Principal Kathy Fundukian said.
Menooa Zakarian, 16, said sometimes students do get into conflict, but fights are not usually that big.
"It's not all the time," the 10th-grader said. "But if one little thing happens, it'll blow up like that."
The county commission started its assessment shortly after the fight occurred at the high school, Toma said. The commission found that there seems to be long-standing ethnic tension there, he said.
Fundukian said she welcomed help from community organizations but the true impacts will be made within the school.
"I think kids make good decisions when they're connected to school," she said.
