San Jacinto Valley students of the year honored at “Night of the Stars”

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Diane A. Rhodes | Contributed

The Hemet/San Jacinto Student of the Month program held its end of the year banquet to present scholarships to those chosen as Student of the Year among those that had been honored for their school during the 2021-2022 school year. More than 250 students and their families and friends, along with sponsors and supporting community members, were at the Soboba Casino Resort Event Center to celebrate on May 19.

The mission of the program is to bring the community together to honor and praise local high school seniors for demonstrating character, integrity, love of learning, dedication and involvement in school activities, athletics and community service. Students are recognized for overcoming difficult life challenges without compromising their education. Each month, students who make a difference in their home, school and community with sincerity and passion are honored at a breakfast shared with their family, principal, nominating staff and community sponsors who listen to their heartfelt stories.

Karena Zermeno, program facilitator and hostess, said the students’ adaptability to unforeseen situations and ability to stand tall in the face of adversity has made them all shining stars.

“There is a Chinese proverb that says, ‘the gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man cannot be perfected without challenges,’” she said. These students all share the same virtue, the drive and power to overcome difficult trials all while committing their passions for family, school and their bright futures. I am truly honored to be here tonight amongst all the resilient students that shine brighter than any diamond.”

Hemet/San Jacinto Students of the Year and those who received scholarships from community members at the May 19 “Night of the Stars” at Soboba Casino Resort Event Center. From left, Saige Zinck, Zachary Cholodenko Vollan, Ashlyn Miller, Christopher Huerta, Ivonne Juarez, Kimora Hill, Raider Nunez, Cloe Cadenhead, Melany Hernandez, Abigail LaZarrus and Naidelyn Franco. Not pictured, Sam Chaney and Alexia Granville. Rebekah Mosier photo

The Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians and Soboba Foundation have been Platinum Sponsors of the program since its inception in the fall of 2013. At the “Night of the Stars” event, Soboba Tribal Council Chairman Isaiah Vivanco said joining together in honoring the students was something he was glad the Tribe was able to do.

“At Soboba, we take pride in making sure we support our youth all the way through to the next step, be it college, becoming business owners, community leaders and things of that nature. It’s awesome to see all the community leaders here supporting these youth; I think it goes a long way. Our youth need to have someone to look up to. It’s parents, grandparents, community leaders and others who push them and support them in everything they are doing. We’re honored and thankful that we can host an event like this supporting all the youth. Congratulations to all the winners to this point and those being recognized further tonight,” Vivanco said.

Sally Myers, with Sizzler/BMW Management, started a Student of the Month program in the Temecula Valley and surrounding areas about 30 years ago. She inspired and mentored Zermeno to establish the Hemet/San Jacinto program, who has taken it to other areas as well.

“What is so joyful to me is knowing this program is expanding and there is great joy and inspiration in my heart and I know yours as well when we can honor these students for how they make a difference,” Myers said. “We know God has given each one of us wonderful passions and (these students) are using them today to not just pursue their own interests but to come alongside others and make a difference.”

Students named as Student of the Year and receiving a $2,000 scholarship are Cloe Cadenhead, Hemet High School; Zachary Cholodenko Vollan, Hamilton High School; Alexia Granville, West Valley High School; Kimora Hill, San Jacinto High School; Christopher Huerta, Western Center Academy; Abigail LaZarrus, Mountain Heights Academy; and Saige Zinck, Tahquitz High School.

Cloe, who was Student of the Month in January, will be the first in her family to attend college where she will major in theater to continue to spread the joy it has brought to her and others.

Zachary, chosen in Nov. 2021, plans to pursue football at the college level and pursue a law degree so he can become a prosecuting lawyer to “make our community a better, safer place.”

All Hemet-San Jacinto Students of the Month from the 2021-2022 school year were invited on stage to celebrate their accomplishments and receive a $100 gift card at the annual “Night of the Stars” scholarship event. Rebekah Mosier photo

As Student of the Month in Oct. 2021, Alexia said she plans to pursue a career in education. “Through teaching, I intend to make a difference in the life of a young person the way someone did for me,” she said.

Kimora, also chosen in Oct. 2021, said achieving higher education and valuable knowledge is the path she wants to take to gain control of her future and to truly be successful in life.

When he was recognized as a Student of the Month in Nov. 2021, Christopher said his greatest contribution to his community, school and family is his positive outlook on life.

Abigail, honored in Feb., is looking forward to college and starting her own business. “My goal is to make people feel beautiful and empowered and feel good about themselves,” she said.

Saige was the first recipient of the Student of the Month honor for her school in Sept. 2021. She served as yearbook editor and will continue her education at UC, Davis in the fall.

Additional scholarships of $500 each, provided by community members based on specific criteria such as career choice or character traits, were awarded. Recipients are Sam Chaney, Mountain View High School, Daniel Lopez Jr. Memorial Scholarship; Naidelyn Franco, Tahquitz High School, Sizzler/BMW Management Scholarship; Melany Hernandez, Hemet High School, Cassi Tichy Memorial Scholarship; Ivonne Juarez, San Jacinto High School, Ella Mae Record Memorial Scholarship; Ashlyn Miller, Hamilton High School, Dr. Koka Family Medical Scholarship; and Raider Nunez, San Jacinto High School, Louis & Jennette Arcuri Charitable Foundation Scholarship.

Scholarship recipients received many recognition certificates from dignitaries and community organizations and all nominated students received a $100 gift card and other graduation gifts.

Zermeno, who also represents program sponsor Altura Credit Union, closed the evening by thanking all the students who have forever touched the lives of others by sharing their testimonials throughout the school year.

“Continue being the bright stars and diamonds that you are,” she said. “Students, remember, you can do anything that you want to do. Your future is yours.”

For more information, www.studentofthemonth.net.

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