Local program founder and Student of the Month Committee member Karena Zermeno-Leon emceed the event. Each student was invited to the podium to share their personal story, past and/or current challenges and future goals with a room full of supporters that included principals, teachers, peers and family members, as well as community and school district dignitaries.

December’s students of the month from Hemet Unified School District are Jose Barajas, Kinsley Draganza Dialio, Lola Elzy, Savannah Garcia and Blessing Sele. Shawna Rivera from Noli Indian School was also honored.

Hemet Unified School District

Jose Barajas

Hamilton High School Principal Kari Sanchez introduced Jose as mature beyond his years. The school’s Mental Health Professional Conrad Akins said, “I proudly nominated Jose because he’s an incredible young man who has overcome great challenges with unwavering resilience. No matter what life throws at him, he remains one of the most polite, well-mannered and positive students I have ever met.” Jose said the responsibilities of living and working on a 10-acre ranch can be exhausting but the experience has taught him leadership, discipline and hard work. He plans to work in the construction industry, earn his contractor’s license and have his own business one day. “One of the hardest obstacles I had to overcome was growing up with a drug-addicted mother,” Jose said. He and his younger brother were very young when they were taken away from her and placed in the foster care system. His biological father was in jail. “Because of all that was going on, I didn’t learn how to read and write until almost fifth grade and later I found out I had a learning disability,” he said. Eventually, his aunt and uncle took the boys in and adopted them. “Moving from Los Angeles to a ranch full of animals was a huge adjustment but I immediately fell in love with the life,” Jose said. “That ranch became more than a home; it was a place where I learned responsibility, work ethic and the importance of family. The most important lesson I’ve learned in life is that it’s not what you go through that defines you but how you grow from it. I could have chosen anger or giving up but instead I chose to keep going.”

Kinsley Draganza Dialio

Academy of Innovation Principal John Bradshaw and nominating teacher April Boggess were pleased to recognize Kinsley as Student of the Month for December. “When I switched to AOI, it was probably the best choice I ever made,” the outstanding senior said. “I went to a few schools before this, and it was nothing like where I’m at now. I wasn’t able to be myself and I was always anxious about going to school. My grades would be slipping, and I didn’t like to talk.” She said things were really hard and she didn’t think there was going to be a way that she would ever look forward to going to school, especially with her poor grades. Kinsley didn’t feel like there was any way she could recover from her grades slipping so far, plus her attendance was not the best. Then she enrolled at the Academy of Innovation. “I feel really supported here and can do my best,” she said. “They gave me a reason to keep going and help people.” Kinsley plans to pursue a career in either children’s behavioral health or as a dermatology nurse practitioner. Her mother thanked the organizers and sponsors of the Student of the Month program. “Any support we can give our kids is one of the most valuable things we can do in our community,” she said.

Lola Elzy

Hemet High School Principal Jeff Franks said Lola is an outstanding student who is a leader in the AVID program and a multisport athlete. “Her hard work, dedication and perseverance in everything she does is absolutely amazing and helped us win a League title for our very first girls flag football team,” Franks said. College and Career Counselor Lauren Lloyd said Lola has been through some difficult things but instead of making excuses she chose to propel herself forward. “She just radiates positivity and is always kind,” Lloyd said. Lola was only nine years old when her father died and she saw the toll it took on her mother who fell back into substance abuse. Child Protective Services removed her from the home, and she went to live with her grandmother. Three years later she moved in with her aunt and uncle. A few months later, her grandmother passed away. “As I began high school, I started to rebel and had no care for my academics anymore and overall, I turned into someone that I wasn’t,” Lola said. She was able to turn her life around in her sophomore year and continued to grow in her junior year by joining clubs and sports. “I came to the realization that academics would be what healed me,” she said. “My academic journey provided me with a newfound happiness and faith in myself.” She plans to major in biology with the goal of pursuing a career in women’s health, research and psychology or possibly as a surgical technician.

Savannah Garcia

Tahquitz High School Principal Andrew Holmes said Savannah is a talented singer and writer.  Choral Director Christyl Thiessen said Savannah is one of a kind. She is part of the Polynesian dance team, a member of the Chamber singers and is in choir. “I believe that my greatest contribution to my school is when I help guide my peers, clarify their questions and help them achieve their goals whether it be school related or personal,” Savannah said. Her grandfather passed away when she was in 7^th grade and he was the one person she looked up to the most. “He was the strongest and smartest person I’d ever known,” she said. “After my grandpa passed, I fell into a deep depression. All my grades turned to Fs and I watched the world pass me by. I felt stuck in a hole that just kept digging itself deeper when more family members were passing away every two months.” Savannah was able to get back on track at the end of her freshman year but at the start of her junior year, her favorite teacher at the time, her choir teacher died. “She was my biggest encouragement to follow my dreams and then she was gone. I was angry at the world and didn’t want anyone to get close to me in case I got my heart broken by that pain again.” When the new choir teacher came, she said she wanted to help. “So, I thank you Mrs. Thiessen for helping to heal my heart.” Savannah said the most significant lesson she has learned is that even if the sky is falling and your whole world is crumbling beneath your feet it is you who has the power of how to react to it and choose to overcome it.

Blessing Sele

West Valley High School Principal Cynthia Leon said, “Blessing is involved in sports, clubs and all types of events. She does everything with grace and is a true role model.” Math teacher Brock Blair has known the outstanding senior since her freshman year and said, “She is exactly how her name is—she is a blessing to everyone.” Blessing said she contributes to her school through her extracurricular activities. She is editor-in-chief of yearbook, part of the Leadership team for Mustang Empire, is serving her second year as Christian Club president and is captain of the golf team. She is also part of the competitive dance team, theater, sewing club, basketball and was on the debate team last year. A personal goal she has is to become a real estate agent and go to school to major in business and finance. “I want to find something that I’m passionate about that also provides for myself and my family,” Blessing said. “There is more to college than just a major.” She said her parents came to this country from Nigeria and have worked hard to get her to where she is today. “I grew up in a Christian home so the morals to be a decent person were already built into my life,” she said. “A significant life lesson I will take with me to college is that the way I treat others can have a lasting impact, even when I don’t realize it. Small actions, offering kindness, listening without judgment, or showing respect can make someone feel valued and supported, especially in a new and stressful environment like college. I’ve learned that my words and behavior can either uplift others or discourage them; responsibility matters.”

Noli Indian School

Shawna Rivera

Noli Indian School Principal Donovan Post said Shawna is “an outstanding young woman and a joy to have in the school.” Her mother, Tanya Briones-Rivera is an employee of the school and Post praised her for hard work. He said Shawna is one of many students he has been lucky enough to have where children from the same family come through the Noli school system. “I’ve had four from her family so far,” Post said. “You get to see the differences between the siblings—how they become their own person. Shawna is on her way to becoming this year’s valedictorian.” Andrea Duran teaches Spanish and AVID at the school and has known Shawna since she started at the school in sixth grade and joined AVID in seventh. “I’ve watched her grow into a role model with strong values, responsibilities and determination,” Duran said. “In addition to her academic achievements, she has been actively involved in ASB, serving as president for the past two years where she leads with confidence, an open mind and responsibility. She inspires others and has become a strong role model for younger students.” Shawna said some of the most challenging times she has faced throughout her high school career were when she lost three close family members within two years. “During this time, I found it was very difficult to stay focused on my education or even be motivated to stay in school,” Shawna said. “It was a constant struggle to deal with grief year after year. I felt like school was irrelevant and my goals weren’t important.” With support her parents provided, she was able to learn how to process her grief and more than anything she wants to concentrate on making her parents proud and being a strong role model for her younger siblings. “Giving back to my community is important,” Shawna said. “As a Native woman, I was taught to honor our traditions and pass them on to the next generation.” She plans to study nursing, focusing on diagnostic medical sonography.

For more information, www.studentofthemonth.net.

The post San Jacinto Valley students honored in December appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

Local program founder and Student of the Month Committee member Karena Zermeno emceed the event. Each student was invited to the podium to share their personal story, past and/or current challenges and future goals with a room full of supporters that included principals, teachers, peers and family members, as well as community and school district dignitaries.

January’s students of the month from Hemet Unified School District are Ernesto De Lara, Kimberly Luna, Rachel Serrano, Bouquet Vineyard and Dakota Wilson. San Jacinto Unified’s honorees for January are Jalisa Horigan and Ashley Vasquez.

Hemet Unified School District

Ernesto De Lara

West Valley High School Principal Gerardo Zavala said Ernesto’s favorite subject is history because he loves learning about the past. “He is an excellent example of a student who works hard in school, sports and in life,” Zavala said. “Outside of the classroom, his passion is soccer.” Ernesto started playing the sport when he was seven and he has achieved great things. He plans to attend Cal Baptist University to study kinesiology while playing Division I soccer and hopes to turn pro in the future. His teacher, Antonio Ramos, said Ernesto is a true team player in and out of the classroom. Through their shared passion for the sport of soccer, Ramos has seen qualities demonstrated in his student that he is sure will carry him through the future. “Soccer has helped me in many ways,” Ernesto said. “Soccer has taught me teamwork, responsibility and discipline, which I believe are very important in the sport and in real life situations.” He is grateful for the opportunity to have competed in several tournaments and a recent win is one of his proudest accomplishments as it helped him grow as a player and a leader on and off the field. He has also traveled to Maryland multiple times to compete against some of the best players around the country. “Being a student athlete has taught me the importance of balancing my priorities,” Ernesto said. “I have learned to manage my time effectively by managing school, homework, practices and games.” He enjoys giving back to the community through his volunteer work at church.

Kimberly Luna

Tahquitz High School Principal Andrew Holmes described Kimberly as a student who takes Advanced Placement classes, is in AVID, is on the cross-country, track and soccer teams as captain and volunteers her time at lunch to tutor her peers. Psychology teacher Jacquelyn Rodriguez said, “What’s truly remarkable about her is her ability to balance it all. She’s always understood that being a student comes first, even with a demanding schedule. I’ve seen her prioritize her academics with a maturity beyond her years. Excellence goes far beyond academics and athletics with Kim because she also has one of the biggest hearts you’ll meet on campus. It’s not about how she can lift up herself but it’s about how she can lift up those in the community and those around her, which is something that I admire about her most.” Kimberly hopes to attend Cal Poly as a psychology major to study the mind and behavior to help in her future career as an occupational therapist. “I struggled with stress and anxiety throughout high school,” she said. “It’s important to work hard for the things you want and in return our goals can be met. There is a reward for how much effort and hard work you put in.” A significant life lesson she said she learned is that there is more than one opportunity around her, and she just needs to discover what they are. She hopes to continue to give back to her school by offering to tutor younger classmates.

Rachel Serrano

Alessandro High School Principal Matt Centofranchi shared that his school is intended to be a credit-recovery school and looking at Rachel’s transcripts when she enrolled in her junior year showed a lot of good grades until her sophomore year, which was totally missing. She is now an all-star student who is excelling in the Welding Technology program, one of the school’s CTE pathways. Welding teacher Joshua O’Neal said he was impressed that Rachel was not afraid to try anything new. “Her resilience, faith and work ethic are truly amazing and her ability to inspire those around her is something I deeply admire,” he said. Rachel is the third oldest of seven children and when she was in second grade, her world was turned upside down when her and her siblings were taken away from their mother and scattered to different homes. “Living in foster and group homes, I learned that attachment was a luxury; losing people and places became a part of life,” Rachel said. “By the time I was 12, I had faced challenges no child should have to endure.” On her 13^th birthday, she reached a breaking point and was put in a mental hospital because she was struggling with thoughts of suicide. In 2023, she spent a year with her father in Guatemala, which proved to be a turning point for her. The following year, Rachel went to live with an aunt and uncle and enrolled at Alessandro. She hopes to become a certified welder and enter the field as a career. “I’ve learned to seek the positive in every obstacle, even when it’s hard,” she said.

Bouquet Vineyard

Hemet High School selected Bouquet this month and Principal Jeff Franks introduced her as a three-sport athlete in swimming, golf and water polo, who was named Homecoming Queen, is a member of the school’s band, and is in the top 10 of her 550-member senior class. She was nominated by her counselor, Dawn Sonnier, whose statement was read by teacher Lindsay Brown in her absence. Sonnier has known Bouquet for five years through her older sister, Meadow, who wanted to be part of Daisy Chain, an award given to the top-ranked juniors who are recognized for their academic achievement and lead the seniors at graduation. Although Meadow didn’t make it, she asked Sonnier to guide Bouquet so that she would, and she did. “The past four years of my life have been a difficult journey,” Bouquet said. In 2020, her mother was diagnosed with Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer and Bouquet spent all her time taking care of her while balancing schoolwork, sports and extracurriculars. “On September 12, 2024, mom lost her hard-fought battle. Navigating life without my mom’s help and support has been confusing but I know one thing for sure – I want to keep her fun-loving, encouraging and inclusive spirit alive through what I do and how I treat others every day,” Bouquet said. She plans to study English Education in college in hopes of becoming a teacher, just like her mother, who served the San Jacinto Unified School District for 25 years. “I know that God will guide my feet every step of the way and I hope to be a light the way my mom was,” Bouquet said.

Dakota Wilson

Hamilton High School Principal Kari Sanchez said that last year Dakota was one of four juniors who won a Leadership Trip to Washington, DC through the Anza Electric Co-Op. “She has courage, confidence and is always looking outside of herself,” Sanchez said. Rose Fickes has been Dakota’s art and photography teacher all four years of high school. As editor-in-chief of yearbook and president of the Yearbook Club, she said Dakota oversees everything from the designing to the final production. As president of the Mud Club, she organizes fundraisers and events to provide students with opportunities to explore ceramics. Dakota said she enjoys being very active in the rural community of Anza. “My aspirations are in the field of forensic science, specifically crime scene photography,” she said. She knows this is something most people don’t have the stomach to do but she sees it as yet another way she can give back by providing evidence that will bring justice for victims. “Last October, my father was diagnosed with cancer, which is a hard thing as I’m an only child and it’s just me and my parents living in the middle of nowhere,” Dakota said. She credits her father with teaching her how to be a part of the community as she grew up watching him help their neighbors. She was grateful to see the community reach out to the family with food and offers to help when they heard about her father’s diagnosis and showed her that something so horrible can still bring people together. Dakota enjoys working with middle school students and did so regularly when she was a member of Hamilton’s Color Guard.

San Jacinto Unified School District

Jalisa Horigan

San Jacinto High School selected Jalisa as this month’s honoree. Her math teacher, Mayra Aldana, said Jalisa ranks third in her class and takes Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, college and honors classes while serving as vice president of HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) and LINK Crew, both organizations that are close to Aldana’s heart. Jalisa feels her greatest contribution to the community is her ability to empathize and connect with others, especially those who have been made to feel lost or unseen. “Through LINK Crew, I’m able to create relationships with freshmen that we meet and guide through their high school journey and through HOSA I’m able to channel my passion for the healthcare field,” Jalisa said. She wants to become a psychiatrist to help people navigate life’s challenges. She shared that her birth mother took her brother and her away from their father at a very young age and were basically homeless as they moved around a lot. “I witnessed a lot of things such as verbal and physical abuse,” Jalisa said. When she was in first grade, her mother lost custody of the children and they went to live with their father, which led to a lot of pain. Their stepmother went to prison and their father lost his job, leading the children to be raised by extended family members for three years. Her father is now in medical school and Jalisa said she has chosen to take her pain and turn it into purpose. “I hope others see that no matter where you come from, you can overcome, you can exceed and you can make a difference,” Jalisa said.

Ashley Vasquez

San Jacinto Leadership Academy Principal Mike Luna introduced Priscilla Grijalva, counselor at the 6-12 grade school, to talk about Ashley. “She truly takes the initiative to seek out counseling as needed,” Grijalva said. “As a Lion, she continues to roar to success and beyond.” When Ashley was 12 years old, her mother died from having a seizure, heart attack and stroke all at once. This led to Ashley being taken out of the final two months of her sixth-grade year. The following year she was removed from her father’s home due to a toxic environment. Her and her younger brother were placed into foster care and lived in different homes, all with their own rules. Ashley said it was hard to find the stability she really needed during her teen years. When she was finally placed with her current foster mother, she was able to improve. “Her home is a sanctuary defined by structure and an abundance of love,” Ashley said. “She has taught me so many valuable lessons that I try to apply to my life such as cleanliness, manners and selflessness. But most importantly, she has taught me to deepen my relationship with God.” Ashley wants to pursue nursing, eventually working as a forensic nurse. She shared a Maya Angelou quote that she found to be true for her: “Family isn’t always blood. It’s the people in your life who want you in theirs. The ones who accept you for who you are. The ones who would do anything to see you smile, and who love you no matter what.”

For more information, www.studentofthemonth.net.

The post San Jacinto Valley students honored in January appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

Local program founder and Student of the Month Committee member Karena Zermeno, who also represents one of the sponsors Altura Credit Union, emceed the event. Each student was invited to the podium to share their personal story, past and/or current challenges and future goals with a room full of supporters that included principals, teachers, peers and family members, as well as community and school district dignitaries.

October’s students of the month from Hemet Unified School District are Brooklynn Batlle, Maximus Pimentel, Shonclee Rene and Cyclaly Hernandez Villa. San Jacinto Unified’s honorees for October are Stephanie Alcala, Kristi Chadha and Calvin Maxwell.

Hemet Unified School District

Brooklynn Batlle

Hemet High School singled out Brooklynn this month and teacher James Walsh coached her in Mock Trial where he said she was “instantly amazing.” He also coached her in tennis where she excelled. Brooklynn said, “From a very young age, I always wanted to prove I was worthy at the opportunity of life.” Being born to a teenaged mother led to her becoming a second parent to her siblings and having to grow up too fast. “As a young woman, I admire my mother’s will to do everything on her own but as a daughter, I had so much resentment towards here,” Brooklynn said. “By age 8, I was insecure in myself and always anxious.” Her mother’s new boyfriend led to Brooklynn being a secondhand victim to domestic violence and to her mother becoming a drug addict. The family became homeless, and Brooklynn lived in and out of motels most of her young life. Eventually she went to live with her grandmother but in 2018, she and her brother were able to go back to her mother, who had given birth to another daughter. Brooklynn could not escape her feelings of helplessness as anxiety and stress continued to consume her. “I thought I was broken as a person,” she said. In her junior year, she overfilled her plate to look better to others and in March of this year, she attempted suicide as a cry for help. So far in her senior year, she holds a 4.6 GPA, is president of AVID and plays varsity tennis, along with being involved with many community service clubs. Brooklynn plans to attend Cal Poly for her bachelor’s degree in animal science and then attend veterinarian school at UC, Davis. “There is something so special about helping a being that can’t help themselves and gaining that trust,” Brooklynn said.

Maximus “Ace” Pimentel

West Valley High School Principal Gerardo Zavala said Maximus has played football all four years, serving as captain for the past two and has led the team with his competitive spirit as both a linebacker and running back. “He often says that the best part of football has been the friendships and bonds he’s found with his teammates,” Zavala said. “Off the field, Maximus excels academically with math being his favorite subject. He’s also a dedicated member of our Folklorico group, following in the footsteps of his aunts who danced at the college level.” Maximus is also involved with LINK Crew and has been on the track, wrestling and stunt cheer teams. “Four years ago, during the pandemic, my family decided to leave L.A. for a quieter and less crowded place,” Maximus said. “I felt a mix of confusion and apprehension, realized that this move would be a significant life event with a major impact on me.” He said it wasn’t easy leaving everything behind and transitioning to a new school after being in the same school district from preschool through eighth grade, surrounded by friends, familiar teachers and the support of the community. Maximus tried to find his social footing by joining clubs, sports and extracurricular activities. “It is important for me to promote cultural awareness and to show that it’s okay to engage in activities that are often stereotyped as gender specific,” he said. “I proudly joined West Valley Folklorico as the first male dancer in a class of 18 girls. Since then, other boys have followed suit. Don’t limit yourself; seek out opportunities to be selfless.” Maximum plans to major in engineering at college and said the most important lesson he’s learned is to treat his grades like a paycheck, knowing that hard work is essential for a bright future.

Shonclee Rene

Alessandro High School Principal Matthew Centofranchi introduced Shonclee as a member of the Newcomer Academy at the continuation high school that is designed for students who are deficient in credits and new to this country. “Since coming to the school, she has been a superstar,” he said. “Everybody that has gotten to know Shonclee sees her as an inspiration. She embodies characteristics that we strive to see in our students, in ourselves, in our own children. She is resilient, she is dependable, dedicated, positive and an absolutely wonderful student to be around.” Teacher Javier Zamora said that after 25 years as a teacher, he had to redo everything he thought he knew about teaching to match the needs of the students in the Newcomer program that began last school year. Shonclee speaks four languages and is enrolled in Alessandro’s First Responder CTE pathway. She is on track to graduate this month and plans to attend Mt. San Jacinto College before transferring to a four-year university to pursue a career in the medical field. She said many people die every day in her home country because crime is so rampant on the streets. When she turned 18, her parents stayed behind but sent Shonclee to America. “I hope and pray God will protect them every day,” she said. “I know how lucky I am to be able to come here so I can have a better life.”

Cyclaly Hernandez Villa

Hamilton High School selected Cyclaly as their Student of the Month for October. Nominating teacher Mary Kleinvachter taught Cyclaly in her World History class as a sophomore and this year in AP Government and Politics. “When she first entered high school, she got a diagnosis that would change the course of what she would do in high school,” Kleinvachter said. “She’s taken that energy and turned it into positivity and exceling in academics.” Cyclaly said, “I believe my greatest contribution to my community is volunteering as part of NHS (National Honor Society) with blood drives and veterans’ outreach.” She plans to become a math teacher and wants to return to Anza after college to also continue her volunteer work. Cyclaly was diagnosed with limb girdle muscular dystrophy, a rare genetic disease that causes muscle weakness and loss of muscle mass. While it was difficult to learn this, she said it answered the questions she had long had about why she couldn’t do some of the things her peers could do. “I’ve had to change my dreams because of my disability,” Cyclaly said. She loved the sport of basketball and had hoped to play in high school but couldn’t as her condition worsened. “I’ve had to face looks and comments from peers and strangers,” she said, adding that others should surround themselves with people that will support them in their life and impact it positively.

San Jacinto Unified School District

Stephanie Alcala

San Jacinto High School math teacher and baseball coach Merlin Torres said he met Stephanie in her sophomore year when she started doing stats for the team at the urging of a friend and classmate. “She is one of 1,200 students I’ve had since I started teaching and I will never forget her kindness,” Torres said. Stephanie was born in Texas and moved to California when she was four. While living in Orange County, she suffered a lot of abuse and sexual harassment. She began therapy at the age of six and lived in a one-bedroom apartment with her two sisters and parents. After struggling for a few years, they moved to San Jacinto where they found better opportunities for housing and schooling. “This changed me in good and bad ways,” Stephanie said. “I was labeled a bad kid because I couldn’t sit still. It’s safe to say we all understand pain and challenges of life but the way we work through those challenges is what makes us who we are. What we have endured and what we continue to endure is what pushes us to never want to stop to reach our successes. Every student here today can understand that being a student in these times is genuinely hard. I have always been told that I wasn’t smart, and I felt that way for a long time. People may come and go but God never leaves and never fails. I am here because of him but also because of my math teacher, Mr. Merlin Torres and my English teacher Mr. (Stiven) Castillo; they really helped me up again and pushed me to want something better for my future.” Stephanie plans to earn her college degree before starting California Highway Patrol training.

Kristi Chadha

San Jacinto Leadership Academy is new to the SOM program as this is the first year it has had a senior class, making the selection of Kristi extra special. Interim Principal Vince Record said staff cites Kristi as an inspiration to others at the rigorous school. Nominating teacher Matt Corum said, “As teachers, we only get to see a little slice of our students’ lives” but added that when seniors begin to write more about themselves for college essays, teachers learn more about them. When he read through Kristi’s essays, he learned that when she saw one of her friends struggling with food insecurity, she decided to do something about it and started a nonprofit to combat the problem. “I saw that as an incredible feat of selflessness and that’s why I nominated Kristi to be our school’s first ever Student of the Month,” Corum said. Kristi said when she learned that a large percentage of residents in the San Jacinto Valley are either low income or unhoused, she felt called to help in the best way that she could. “Helping others is something I always felt passionate about and that passion led me to create Supplies for Humanity, a nonprofit focused on addressing food insecurity in this community,” she said. “With a dedicated team of student volunteers from schools across the San Jacinto Valley, we’ve been able to help the needs of our own neighbors and in turn strengthen the bonds within our community.” Kristi is the founder and president of her campus’ Diversity Club to provide spaces for open dialogue and understanding between students of different backgrounds. She also founded the Guiding Lines mentoring program, which pairs older students with younger ones to offer guidance and support to navigate school. She has a passion for medicine and hopes to attend UCLA to major in biology and eventually practice pediatric medicine. “I want to be the kind of doctor who helps children feel seen and understood and cared for during their most vulnerable moments,” Kristi said.

Calvin Maxwell

Mountain View High School’s honoree for October is Calvin, who principal Ken Swanson described as the little engine who could. “He keeps chugging along and will get to the top of that hill,” he said. Teacher Trish Ochoa noted how Calvin made a powerful choice to transform his situation. “He’s put in the effort, showing that with dedication, hard work and the right mindset, it’s never too late to get back on track,” she said. Calvin said being at Mountain View helped him a lot. “It was rough growing up,” he said. “I had a single mom, and she worked her butt off to get us help in every way possible and I love her for that. My older sister died and that put a hole in us, and it was hard to get over that.” Because of rising housing costs, the family moved around a lot and Calvin and his siblings had to attend different schools. Once they got back on their feet, COVID hit, and he found online learning to be very difficult. “During my junior year, I was told how far behind I was, and it made me give up on myself but then Mountain View helped me,” Calvin said. He plans to major in computer science in college. “Never stop believing in yourself,” he said.

For more information, www.studentofthemonth.net.

The post San Jacinto Valley students honored in October appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

Local program founder and Student of the Month Committee member Karena Zermeno, who also represents one of the sponsors Altura Credit Union, emceed the event. She noted that along with new faces for this year’s honorees, there have been some important personnel changes as well. San Jacinto High School welcomed new principal Lloyd Sheppard and San Jacinto Leadership Academy has grown to include its first senior class and will be included in the rotation of alternative schools. Another change is the addition of Diamond Sponsors for those that want to provide even more support to the community-based program than what was expected at the Platinum Sponsors level.

“Students, the reason we are here is for you; just know that you are our motivation,” Zermeno said. “Every month, I leave this event humbled and I feel encouraged to go out and face the world and overcome any challenge after hearing your stories.”

Each student was invited to the podium to share their personal story, past and/or current challenges and future goals with a room full of supporters that included principals, teachers, peers and family members, as well as community and school district dignitaries.

September’s students of the month from Hemet Unified School District are Trevor Comstock, Sadie Dinnyes, Bellynn Kincaid, Alexis Rackley and Ravin Vandergriff. San Jacinto Unified’s honorees for September are Angel Iglesias and Jazzlyn “Jazzy” Mancinas.

Hemet Unified School District

Trevor Comstock

Tahquitz High School singled out Trevor this month because of his strong academics, his leadership roles as part of ASB where he builds school culture, and his athletic talents as a member of the water polo team. His teacher Lee Jones said, “He goes out of his way to be supportive and has a quick wit and hardworking personality.” Trevor believes his greatest contribution to his community and family is to be able to bring laughter and joy to everyone around him as well as always trying to lighten up the mood when given the opportunity. In elementary school he lost his father to melanoma skin cancer which resulted in him having to be vigilant about his own predisposition to the disease for the rest of his life. In June of 2023, his mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. “A mix of confusion and sadness hit me,” Trevor said. This past summer, his mother completed her chemotherapy treatments. “She taught me to cherish every single moment with family and friends and to not take anything for granted,” he said. His plans are to enlist in the Coast Guard after graduation and then start a Burger Shack with his family. He currently works at Hangar One restaurant at Hemet-Ryan Airport. A quote from Benjamin Franklin that Trevor likes to think about often is, “Don’t put off until tomorrow what can be done today.”

Sadie Dinnyes

Hamilton High School counselor Jason Sonnier introduced Sadie on behalf of Athletic Director Patrick Williams, who nominated her and said she has excelled in track and cross country and has found academic success through her CTE nursing pathway. Sonnier said he has been in education for 23 years and counseling for 19 and seeing the amazing transformation she has made in the past couple of years totally fills his heart and makes him so proud of her. Sadie said, “The year 2022 was the hardest year of my life. I started out as a straight A student, doing academically well. Despite that, I still went home and cut on myself every day. At the same time, my mom had terminal cancer. On April 10, I decided to jump off a bridge, partly due to my mental issues and also because I couldn’t stand the thought of having to say goodbye to my mom one day.” When her mother was placed on hospice, Sadie was released early from the hospital but continued to spiral and was placed in foster care temporarily. “Watching my mom lose her life and dealing with my own struggles has given me the motivation to become a hospice and psychiatric nurse and to give people the help and comfort they need during the times they are struggling,” Sadie said. “I wish to show people it’s okay to accept your past and to come to terms with the bad experiences.”

Bellynn Kincaid

Western Center Academy teacher Melanie Thornburg introduced Bellynn by saying, “Her strength is unwavering. She has faced losses that no child should have to endure, and her resilience and positivity are a great inspiration to everyone at WCA.” Bellynn is part of the ASB Leadership Academy program and has volunteered with the Ramona Pageant, as her father had done in the past. She plans to attend MSJC for their audiovisual technology courses and then intern under her father who is an independent contractor in the field to one day become a video engineer. Her parents divorced when she was young but then reconciled. When Bellynn was 11, her mother was expecting another daughter but when she was eight months pregnant, she and the unborn baby were killed by a drunk driver. This caused Bellynn to sink into a great depression, especially with the pandemic following on its heels. “One lesson that can be taken away from my mother’s passing is knowing that rock bottom isn’t the end of the world and life will keep going,” she said. “Hard things happen, but that doesn’t mean your life is over. You learn how to build up from the rock bottom again.” She wants to give back to her community by being an example of light at the end of the tunnel. “Life has a lot to offer and it’s okay to be set back but it’s important to get back up and find the good in life, all with a smile,” Bellynn said. Her father, Zach Kincaid, said, “If it wasn’t for this kid, I wouldn’t be here today. She was dealt a card no one should be given, and she played it well. She saved my life many times, she only knows how to work hard and give. She is the greatest accomplishment of my life.”

Alexis Rackley

Hemet High School Principal Jeff Franks introduced Alexis by saying, “Her grit, her determination, her perseverance is unmatched and says her focus is to just be better every day.” Alexis said she is an older sister and a teammate first with plans to attend the University of Chicago for their social work program. After earning a master’s degree she wants to continue her research on the foster care system and its effect on teens. “I was put into the foster care system at 11 and I was, and still kind of am, terrified,” she said. “I truly believed my life was over and that I had nothing going for me. The instability associated with foster scare is as apparent as ever. Being placed with a new home, having to learn the traditions and mannerisms to better fit in is really hard.” She plans to go into the field of those who have helped her throughout her life. “I want to be the person who helps a child see the full potential in themselves,” Alexis said. “I want to use the chance I’ve been given to help the next generation.”

Ravin Vandergriff

Academy of Innovation is an independent study school who chose Ravin this month. Principal John Bradshaw said Ravin embraces every aspect of the school, taking every advantage of the program by always volunteering to take part in things. Ravin said she started the school year suffering from “senioritis,” but a comment made to students from a counselor gave her a wake-up call. “She said, ‘after high school, that’s it, you’re going to be an adult in the real world’ and to be honest with you, it scared me,” Ravin said. She reflected on the struggling student she had been and the little girl who had been too shy to talk to people but did it because she wanted friends. She said, “I’m still a struggling student but the fact that I recognize that is one small step that makes me motivated to make my future successful.” Ravin aspires to attend Northern Arizona University to study music and English. Her mother said, “From that little wallflower came this beautiful rose – she has grown so much.”

San Jacinto Unified School District

Angel Iglecias

Mountain View High School’s honoree for September is Angel, who is described by Principal Ken Swanson as “polite, respectful, kind, good to others, looks out for others and is a delight to have on campus.” Angel said growing up was a little rough. “I lost my oldest brother Daniel in 2012; he was someone that I looked up to and it hurt my family a lot,” Angel said. In his junior year he knew he had to change his life around and enrolled at Mountain View with only 25 credits to his name. He said being at the school helped him work hard and he now has more than enough credits and will be finishing high school early. He plans to attend C V Beauty College in Hemet to get his barbering license with hopes of opening his own shop one day. After losing his grandmother in February, Angel said he wants to be successful for her as she was a strong influence in his life.

Jazzlyn “Jazzy” Mancinas

San Jacinto High School Principal Lloyd Sheppard read an acceptance speech from Jazzy, who was unable to attend the ceremony due to a prior commitment to attend a Middle College class at MSJC. She is working on her associate’s degree through this dual enrollment program and is currently in the top 20 of her senior class. Jazzy lost her mother when she was three years old and was raised by her father, who is her biggest fan. She believes her biggest contributions to her school, community and family are her perseverance and artistic qualities. In college, she plans to pursue a major in English with a minor in performing arts. “My dream since I was in elementary school was to be an actress, a singer and an author,” she said, adding that she has already been in many theatrical musical productions and has written her own short stories. “It has never been easy to be the student I am today. I have ADHD so I struggled on concentrating and keeping my mind clear,” she said. Years of searching for the right therapies and treatments followed her diagnosis at age 10. “A life lesson that I will take with me to college is that it’s okay to ask for help, it’s okay to not know where I’m going in the next few years because life is going to throw you curveballs,” Jazzy said. “It’s not okay to stay silent when you need help because in the end you are keeping yourself from being the best version of yourself.”

For more information, www.studentofthemonth.net.

See also:

Mt. San Jacinto College Kicks Off Record-Breaking 2024-25 Academic Year with Excitement and Innovation

The post San Jacinto Valley students honored in September appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

This year, MSJC also celebrates its 23rd anniversary as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI). Since earning this designation in 2001, the college has been committed to serving a vibrant community, with 52% of its students identifying as Hispanic—well above the 25% threshold required for HSI status. This milestone highlights MSJC’s ongoing commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment.

“Latine Heritage Month is a time to celebrate the rich cultural heritage and significant contributions of the Latine community,” said Dr. Roger Schultz, MSJC President/Superintendent. “By embracing evidence-based practices and focusing on the unique needs of our Latino students, we contribute to a stronger, more equitable future for all. Our goal is to create a campus where every student, regardless of background, can thrive. By doing so, we do not just advance Latino student success—we enhance the educational experience for everyone.”

MSJC’s mission statement proudly states, “As a Hispanic-Serving Institution, we serve a diverse student population from various identities, cultures, socioeconomic backgrounds, life experiences, abilities, and educational needs that represent our community. MSJC is committed to learning and achievement through inclusive and culturally affirming environments that celebrate student voices and create space for self-exploration and growth.” Latine Heritage Month provides a unique opportunity to highlight this commitment.

MSJC will host various events throughout the month, including cultural showcases, educational panels, and community engagement activities, all designed to celebrate the cultural heritage and academic achievements of its Hispanic students and the broader community.

For more information about MSJC’s Latine Heritage Month events, please visit https://msjc.edu/hsi/latine-heritage-month.html.

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Hamilton High School’s Angie Delgado says, “I am devoted to my chosen field of study.  I have always found an interest in Kinesiology and am fascinated by the idea of helping athletes with their athletic journey.”  Angie will be the first in her family to attend college, a point of immense pride for her and her family.  Angie is hoping to attend Cal State San Marcos or Mt. San Antonio College, focusing on movement anatomy or exercise physiology.

Kayla Benson from Hemet High School says that after she acquires her college degree in Civil Engineering, “I want to serve my community and help those who struggle.  I’ve been inspired by the needs of the people I see every day who are less fortunate and need somewhere to call their own.  Education is power, and the more I know the more I can do good for others.”   Kayla plans to attend either Brigham Young University Provo or BYU Idaho in the fall.

Although mathematics isn’t every student’s favorite subject, Ubaldo Puente of Tahquitz High School plans to further his education at the University of Utah where he will work towards a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and eventually earn his teaching credential.  “I want my future students to view the subject in a new light, the way my third grade teacher showed my peers and me a new perspective on the misunderstood subject.”  Dr. Emily Shaw, Hemet Unified School District’s Director of Wellness and Community Outreach, says, “Ubaldo is the all-around package: brains, character, high morals and strong leadership.”

Western Center Academy graduating senior Logan Fogle says, “For as long as I can remember, I have had a love for the outdoors and an appreciation for the natural world’s complexity and simplicity.  I find a peace and relaxation in nature.  I want to pursue a career in nature, working for the US Forest Service as a Forester.  My office will be among the trees, my water cooler will be a cool mountain stream.”  Logan plans to attend Cal Poly Humboldt University and major in Forestry.  Western Center AP English teacher Tonya Brady says that Logan will bring “a focused dedication to college where no class will intimidate him.  He is a quality person.” 

Sports Medicine has become a profound part of Nathalie Garcia’s life. She has a passion for helping athletes and making a meaningful impact.  She developed that passion at West Valley High School, “working at my school’s clinic with 8 other selected peers and working and interacting with individuals outside of school.  Sports medicine is more than a career to me, it’s an emotional and heartwarming journey that stirs my soul.” Her two years in West Valley’s CTC Sports Medicine class has had quite an impact on this young lady.  Nathalie has her eyes set on attending Cal State San Marcos with a major in Kinesiology and the ultimate goal of becoming a physical therapist. 

“Whether grappling with the complexities of mathematics or immersing myself in literature, my thirst for understanding remains insatiable, propelling me towards continual growth.”  These are the words of Eugene Hernandez, HEF scholarship award winner from The Academy of Innovation.  Eugene says that with a “deep-seated passion for education and a genuine desire to inspire and empower others, I aspire to pursue a career in teaching.”  His plans are to first acquire an AA degree from MSJC then transfer to a university to earn his bachelor’s degree and eventually his teaching credential. 

Since 1978, the Hemet Education Foundation has been supporting schools sites and students in the Hemet Unified School District with financial donations and academic scholarships.  Over the past 15 years, the Foundation has donated over $104,000 to the District’s schools for much-needed supplies and resources.  Additionally, since 2014, the Hemet Education Foundation has awarded over $200,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors in the district — $500 to qualifying seniors at both of our alternative high schools, and $5000 to qualifying seniors at each of our five comprehensive high schools.  For more information about the Hemet Education Foundation, you can access their website at hemeteducationfoundation.com.

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Caris Sandino, 28, of Beaumont, was one of the two MSJC graduates to receive the prestigious Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Scholarship. The coveted scholarship was awarded to only 60 students across the nation. She said joining the MSJC Honors Enrichment Program was one of the best decisions she’s made.  

“I am really happy with my experience at MSJC,” Sandino said. “It helped me grow personally and academically as well.” 

Of the 2,183 students earning degrees and certificates this year, 974 graduates walked in one of two ceremonies, marking the highest number of students to date participating in commencement. The MSJC Class of 2024 earned a total of 2,848 degrees and certificates, as some students earn more than one degree, certificate or a combination of both.  

The ceremony honored the college district’s 60th anniversary with the theme “A Legacy of Transformation.” MSJC began its anniversary celebration in the 2023-24 academic year to mark the 1963 opening of the college. Its first graduating class was celebrated in 1965, with a total of eight students.  

Sandino came to the U.S. from Nicaragua when she was 11 with her mother and is the first in her family to graduate from college. She founded MSJC’s Eagles DREAMers Club, which provides a safe space for undocumented students to network, advocate, and get the support they need to succeed.  

“Launching Eagles DREAMers has been one of the most personally meaningful accomplishments in my college journey,” Sandino said. “It’s been an incredible privilege to advocate for and support our undocumented student community, knowing that our efforts have the power to impact lives and foster inclusivity within our college community.”  

Her leadership and hard work in the classroom helped her earn the Cooke scholarship.  Sandino will transfer to the University of California, Berkeley to major in business administration.  

Temecula resident Joseph Awad, who served as Student Trustee this past year at MSJC, was the second MSJC graduate to receive the Cooke scholarship in 2024. Awad will transfer to the University of California, Los Angeles to major in psychology.  

Like Sandino, Awad joined the Honors Enrichment Program and was recognized for several significant research projects, including an Outstanding Abstract award from the Honors Transfer Council of California’s Research Conference held at University of California, Riverside in April for his research on “Contextualizing the Lived Experiences of Queer Arabs: Understanding the Dimensions & Manifestations of Fear.”  

Awad, 20, said his experiences and success seem surreal given his background as a self-described “first-generation, queer, Arab immigrant, wannabe college student.” He credited his success to his mentors and “many kind souls at MSJC.” 

“I hope the past three years of my life can show how much you can change somebody’s life by investing in them and their story, and for that I’ll always be grateful,” Awad said.  

Lake Elsinore residents Eric Ellis, 35, and his wife, Carolyn Ellis, 38, celebrated a milestone as they crossed the stage together. Eric, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran with deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, plans to become a social worker to support fellow veterans in their mental health journeys. 

Carolyn plans to transfer to Loma Linda University to become a surgical technician.  

“MSJC provided all the building blocks we needed to reach our goals and have meaningful careers,” Carolyn Ellis said. 

Jilema Silver, 44, of San Jacinto, said she was proud to graduate MSJC with her son, Cameron Britt, 23. Silver said she started pursuing a degree in business, but through her work at MSJC’s Veterans Resource Center, she decided to receive a second degree in psychology so she could help others. In addition, Silver served as the vice president of the Student Government Association, went to a conference in Washington, D.C. and learned how important it was to “speak up on matters.”  

“I love MSJC,” Silver said before the ceremony. “I love everything that it’s done for me, [and] the professors and I just grew as a person.” 

Silver is transferring to California State University, San Bernardino and said her son is already earning money with his degree in digital media, serving in a paid internship through the city of Menifee. 

Silver served as a student speaker during the morning graduation ceremony. She thanked her son for sharing in the journey, faculty for their support, and peers for becoming friends and companions.  

“As we step out into the world, let us do so with heads held high, knowing that the legacy of transformation we leave behind will continue to inspire and uplift others for generations to come,” Silver told the Class of 2024. “I leave you with these final words: Remember you can do anything and everything – except give up.” 

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