scholarship recipients and their families were recently honored at CalRTA’s annual Scholarship Celebration luncheon on Tuesday, June 10th at the Seven Hills Members Club in Hemet. Scholarship recipients, selected by their schools, must have met the following criteria: Plans to become a K-12 public school teacher, a 3.0+ GPA for junior and senior years and good citizenship at school and in the community. Also considered are extracurricular/co-curricular school activities, community service and activities, and work/volunteer experiences. The 2025 CalRTA Scholarship recipients are as follows:
Pilar Bastida excelled in academics, athletics, and the arts at West Valley High School, maintaining a stellar GPA in advanced courses. A dedicated track and cross-country athlete, she fostered inclusivity through bilingual skills. Also recognized for her artistic talents, she will pursue music education at Riverside City College, aspiring to teach elementary or middle school students.
Nevelyn Jaime is a passionate scholar who excels in reading and writing. She values education, responsibility, and organization, inspiring others through her dedication. She will attend UC Riverside to study English, with a goal to return to teach at her alma mater, Hamilton High School, and guide students in embracing literature as a lifelong journey of learning and self-expression.
Alexis Larsen, a school leader and scholar from The Academy of Innovation, served in ASB for four years, including as vice president and president. Passionate about student engagement and academic excellence, she plans to study at Mt. San Jacinto College, eventually earn her teaching credential and inspire future students as a high school English teacher.
Megan Leffel, a dedicated student and history enthusiast, is part of the San Jacinto Leadership Academy’s first graduating class. She actively serves in her church, teaches a night class, and played tennis for three years at her school. Passionate about education, she plans to attend Biola University to study history, become a teacher and share her knowledge with future generations.
Angelina Lomeli, a recent graduate of San Jacinto High School with an outstanding GPA, demonstrated resilience and independence while excelling academically. Passionate about education, she plans to attend Mt. San Jacinto College and transfer to UC Riverside to become an elementary school teacher, aiming to support students’ success while fostering a healthy mindset.
Katelynne Ray, a third-generation Hemet graduate, embodies leadership, resilience, and dedication. At the Western Center Academy, she excelled in academics and extracurriculars, serving as ASB and Link Crew President. Katelynne plans to major in History at George Washington University and eventually teach at the high school level.
Alina Rivera, a graduate of Tahquitz High School, plans to attend Cal State San Bernardino to major in liberal arts and eventually work with young students. Balancing academics, work, and family support, her bilingual skills and dedication to learning highlight her commitment to shaping young minds and making a lasting impact.
Sunnie Sanchez, a Mountain View High School graduate, is recognized for his leadership and passion for education. He plans to attend Cal State University San Bernardino to become an English Language Development (ELD) teacher, advocating for improved language education. Beyond academics, he mentors junior high students in track and field, demonstrating his commitment to community support.
Rachel Serrano, a graduate of Alessandro High School, overcame challenges in the foster care system, finding strength in faith and family. She plans to attend Mt. San Jacinto College, majoring in Education, with the goal of teaching elementary students. She is committed to providing the necessary emotional and academic support needed for all students to experience success in the classroom.
Aaron Valencia, a Nuview Bridge Early College High School graduate, excelled academically, earning four associate degrees at Moreno Valley College while still in high school. He plans to attend UC Riverside to major in Mathematics and eventually teach middle or high school. During his four years of high school, Aaron tutored fellow students who struggled in mathematics, fostering a supportive learning environment and making math understandable for those he mentored.
Sophie Vargas, a recent graduate of Hemet High School, overcame dyslexia and a learning disability, challenges that fueled her passion for education. Inspired by a supportive teacher, she aspires to create a nurturing classroom where every child feels valued. She plans to attend the University of Oregon and major in Elementary Education, with the goal of uplifting young students and fostering a lifelong love for learning.
Kayleigh Yarborough, a San Jacinto High School graduate, is dedicated to becoming an elementary school teacher. Overcoming personal hardships, Kayleigh remained focused on academics and education and gained hands-on experience in teaching through volunteering at local elementary schools. Inspired by her teachers, she plans to attend Cal State Monterey Bay, earn her credential, and eventually create a nurturing learning environment as a public school teacher.
Cyclaly Hernandez Villa, Hamilton High School’s Valedictorian, is the first recipient of the CalRTA Marvin Nottingham Memorial Scholarship and reflects the very characteristics that former educator and administrator Marvin Nottingham valued: Passion for learning, dedication to education, and a desire to inspire others. Passionate about mathematics and education, Cyclaly dedicated herself to tutoring peers at Hamilto High in her field of interest. She plans to attend UC Riverside, where she plans to major in Mathematics, earn her teaching credential and, as a teacher, eventually create a supportive classroom environment where students feel empowered to succeed.
The mission of the California Retired Teachers Association is to protect and advocate for retired and active educators’ pensions and other retirement benefits, and to support public education in our communities. Each year CalRTA Division 33 offers fifteen $1000 scholarships to local high school graduates and randomly awards 16 “no strings attached” $100 teacher grants to local teachers for use in their classrooms to benefit their students. For more information about CalRTA, go to calrta.org. For information about membership or to financially support CalRTA, go to calrta.org/join-us.
