Diane A. Rhodes | Contributed
The Hemet/San Jacinto Student of the Month program held its most recent recognition event at the Maze Stone restaurant at Soboba Springs Golf Course, Jan. 27. Seven local high school seniors were recognized and honored for their character, love of learning and commitment to academics in addition to their involvement in school and community activities and their ability to overcome difficult life challenges. And they do this all in a setting that honors God, America, family, community and free enterprise. Students are nominated by teachers or other school personnel for making a difference in their homes, schools and communities.
Program founder and event hostess Karena Zermeno also represents one of the sponsors, Altura Credit Union. Backpacks filled with gifts, a Student of the Month plaque, certificates of recognition and much more were donated by the program’s sponsors to the award recipients. Each student was invited to the podium to share their personal story, past challenges and future goals with a room full of supporters that included principals, teachers, peers, family members and community and school district dignitaries.
Prayer sponsor Pastor Jeff Johnson of the San Jacinto Assembly of God said that as the newness of the new year is starting to wear off, it’s important to realize that the students are just getting started on a new path which is life after high school. Zermeno reminded them that this program also awards scholarships to those who have been honored throughout the school year.
January’s students of the month from Hemet Unified School District schools are Cloe Cadenhead, Kaylie Cox, Emily Guerrero, Christian Gutierrez and Karina McQueen. San Jacinto Unified honorees are Jasmine McKenna and Paris Robinson.
Hemet High School’s Cloe Cadenhead was recognized for all of her hard work and passion. Principal Kimberly Romeril said she has a natural gift of having this bright light about her and has very positive energy. Theater teacher Bret Cherland nominated her for stepping up in many different ways throughout her four years with the theater program.
He said during the many months of online learning, he was able to see how strongly Cloe felt about theater; she participated in literally everything made available to her online. When restrictions began to lift and students were headed back to campus, Cloe aspired to become Thespian Club President, which she has achieved. She spends about four hours of her day inside the theater building with her many activities.
“She sets the bar for professionalism,” Cherland said. “One of the things that we lost to COVID was a momentum and a sense of institutional memory that is handed down student to student over the years. In the theater, we have a lot of things going on all the time and some of that information just gets translated from student to student.”
He said Cloe came in this year knowing exactly what needed to be done, especially for students who had not yet had an opportunity to be inside a theater because of the closures. Cherland said she set the bar high and brought everyone else up with her.
“As a child, my parents struggled with addiction and that brought up feelings that were more than I could cope with as a child so I didn’t convey them with normal words,” Cloe said. She turned to writing and performing songs.
“I’m older now and my mom has recovered but my love for performance has stayed,” she said. “When I get on stage it is cathartic. When I perform, I try my hardest to do it with a little girl who wanted nothing more than to be on stage.”
Cloe will be the first in her family to attend college where she intends to major in theater to continue to spread the joy it has brought to her and others.
Kaylie Cox from Tahquitz High School was nominated by her counselor who was not able to attend the breakfast but sent a speech for Principal Kari McGowan to read on her behalf. It began with a quote by Melissa Hughes that she felt described Kylie perfectly, “When you’re passionate about doing something, you become unstoppable, even in the face of resistance.”
With her love for animals and volunteer work at animal shelters providing day-to-day care, Kaylie found her calling to become a veterinarian. After much research, she applied to the top veterinary colleges and said the challenges of all the hard work she put in to be successful in her AP and dual enrollment classes, especially during the pandemic, was worth it as she knows what she wants to do in the future.
The Academy of Innovation recognized Emily Guerrero who was not able to attend the event. John Bradshaw is principal of the independent study school and said Emily exemplifies why there is a need for this type of school. She became a student there in ninth grade due to health issues and has been able to thrive. Her plans are to attend Northern Arizona State to pursue a degree in nursing. He said Emily’s inspiration to become a pediatric nurse stems from the great medical attention she received as a young child. Despite her lifelong struggle with Type 1 diabetes she has been able to stay focused on her studies and is known by her teachers as a hard worker with a kind heart and great work ethic who is a “master at prioritizing and organization.”
Christian Gutierrez was Hamilton High School’s choice for January. The outstanding wrestler qualified for CIF in his first year on the team. As a team player who supports those around him, he credits a mentor teacher he met in his sophomore year for giving him confidence to work harder. Although the teacher has since passed away, Christian said he continues to always put his best foot forward because of this teacher’s guidance and support.
“I think the most important thing I will take forward with me is that when things get difficult, just keep going,” he said. “Determination and perseverance are two traits that will carry you through.”
Christian said he will use these traits when he attends college to major in biology with an ultimate career goal of being a zoologist.
West Valley selected Karina McQueen but she was unable to attend the breakfast. Principal Shannyn Cahoon shared a bit about Karina’s future plans and goals. She was nominated by her performing arts department teacher and hopes to be at next month’s breakfast. Jasmine McKenna from Mountain View High School was singled out for this month’s honor but also was unable to attend.
San Jacinto High School’s Paris Robinson turned her life around with the support of office secretary Samantha Martinez who helped her rebuild her confidence and surround herself with the right people.
“Four years ago, I never would have thought I would be here today receiving Student of the Month because I didn’t care about my future and I had no plans for myself,” Paris wrote in a speech read by her mother. “I surrounded myself with people who also didn’t care about me or themselves. I had no desire of going to class and I didn’t care about the affect that it had on me, my education or even my parents.”
Paris plans to attend cosmetology school. She is maintaining a 3.6 grade point average while working a full-time job and being a student mentor on campus.
Zermeno asked all the students to stand and be applauded for their accomplishments. “All of you have the desire to help others. I wish I could stand here and say the challenges you have faced are over but unfortunately there will be more to come. But remember, have more love for success than you have fear for failure,” she said. “Failure is going to teach all of us to be the better version of ourselves than we can possibly be.”
For more information, www.studentofthemonth.net.
