The QuestBridge scholarship is a highly competitive program that connected 2,550 finalists from a pool of more than 20,000 applicants with 55 top colleges and universities. Each finalist demonstrated exceptional academic achievement and readiness to excel on college campuses and beyond. Each Match Scholarship recipient receives early admission and a full four-year scholarship covering tuition, housing, meals, books, and other educational expenses, ensuring that an education at a top college is affordable for students and their families.

As a cadet at San Jacinto Leadership Academy, Uzziel has demonstrated a strong commitment to service, personal growth, and academic rigor—qualities that align with both the mission of QuestBridge and the values of Columbia University.

Uzziel was formally recognized for this outstanding accomplishment at the December San Jacinto Unified School District Board of Trustees meeting, where he was acknowledged by San Jacinto Leadership Academy Principal Michael Luna for his dedication, leadership, and academic success.

Columbia University, located in New York City, is internationally recognized for its rigorous academics, global impact, and commitment to developing future leaders across disciplines. Uzziel plans to begin his studies in the fall of 2026, joining a select group of QuestBridge Scholars nationwide.

San Jacinto Unified School District congratulates Uzziel Uriarte Ledezma on this remarkable achievement and celebrates his dedication, leadership, and academic excellence.

The post San Jacinto Leadership Academy Student Uzziel Uriarte Ledezma Awarded Prestigious QuestBridge Full-Ride Scholarship to Columbia University 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.

March’s students of the month from Hemet Unified School District are Crista Graf, Josiah Mills, Parshv Patel, and Luci Washburn. San Jacinto Unified honorees for March are Aubriana Boyer, Joshua Coleman, and Cole Wilson. Arionna Ward from Noli Indian School was also honored.

Hemet Unified School District

Crista Graf

Hemet High School Assistant Principal Hannah Plaza said Crista is an active leader in numerous groups on campus and an accomplished AP student who has been in AVID all four years. Her AP psychology teacher Jamie Killebrew is also teaching student leadership this year and said as a PLUS (Peer Leaders Uniting Students) leader, Crista single-handedly organized this year’s toy drive. The outstanding senior is also part of the Breakfast Club, the Multicultural Club and Ballet Folklorico, where she consistently demonstrates initiative, leadership and a willingness to take on challenges. “Being the oldest daughter in my family, I was always taught to be independent and to take care of others,” Crista said. “My dad was my number one supporter. He was the one who taught me perseverance, but never would I have guessed that I would have to use that perseverance to deal with grief.” Four days before Christmas 2023, her father unexpectedly died. “Grief consumed my every thought for months,” Crista said. “I soon realized that instead of learning how to live without him, I had to learn how to live for him.” She decided that everything she did would have a purpose that would make him proud. “I found my purpose while struggling with loss,” Crista said. She plans to become a pediatric oncology nurse and eventually a nurse practitioner.

Josiah Mills

Alessandro High School Principal Matthew Centofranchi introduced Josiah by saying that many, like himself, grew up taking a lot of things such as health and a solid place to live, for granted. He said speaking with Josiah, a student that has faced adversity, provides a whole new perspective. “In talking to him, you’d never know what he stood up to,” he said. Josiah’s teacher Ashley Yazarloo said she uses the words of Duke University’s women’s basketball coach Kara Lawson as a theme in her classroom. It’s about not waiting for life to get easier because life is hard and learning how to handle hard better. “Josiah’s essence is determination, perseverance and an unstoppable drive to achieve his goals,” Yazarloo said. “This is a kid who has shown that he can handle hard better.” Josiah said his journey has always been a bit rocky and that while all his experiences were not traumatic, they definitely left a mark. From homelessness, fires, epileptic seizures and so much more, he said all his experiences led to helping him shape the perspective he now has. “While some may settle for quick fixes or temporary solutions, I believe in reimagining possibilities,” Josiah said. He wants to attend Palomar College to pursue a degree in engineering for a career as an architectural engineer. “I plan to create spaces that bring people together, hopefully fostering a more positive and inclusive environment,” he said.

Parshv Patel

West Valley High School Principal Gerardo Zavala introduced Parshv as a student who is deeply passionate about math, physics and data science, seeing numbers not just as equations but as tools to shape the real world. “His drive for learning goes beyond the classroom where he has completed 12 self-taught college courses, six specialized data science certificates and over 350 hours of programming courses from top universities and companies,” Zavala said. He plays varsity tennis, is president of the Math Club, is a LINK Crew member and a dedicated after school tutor. When his family moved to America from India two years ago, Parshv said he felt behind and took seven classes in his junior year, all while navigating a new culture, an unfamiliar education system and financial hardships. “I had no friends; I felt like an outsider, and I was depressed,” he said. “My confidence began to crumble.” Parshv said thinking of his family’s sacrifices for his future fueled his ambition and led to him being ranked number one in his senior class. He wants to attend Stanford University to major in data science and statistics. “For me, university is an opportunity to transform my curiosity into innovation and impact,” Parshv said. “My passion for data science is driven by a desire to solve real-life issues in climate change, health care and insufficiencies that hold communities back.”

Jorge Silva

Tahquitz High School Principal Andrew Holmes said, “While faced with challenges early in his high school career, Jorge has demonstrated incredible resilience, excels in advanced Spanish and CTE classes and is the starter on the school’s varsity soccer team. His Spanish III teacher Virginia Shaw said that despite starting high school with a .07 GPA due to circumstances totally beyond his control, he was able to get back on track. His mother was battling cancer three years ago, which is why Jorge’s schoolwork suffered, but she is alive today and grateful to see her son be honored as Student of the Month. Jorge said, “I believe my greatest contribution ever was to my family.” The most difficult challenge he had to overcome was his credit deficiency. When he arrived at Tahquitz as a freshman, he was missing more than 60 credits. But by taking seven periods a semester and classes over the summers, he overcame that obstacle and is graduating with his peers. He plans to attend UCR and become a child psychologist. “A life lesson I will take with me to college is to always have the most faith in God’s timing,” he said. “Maybe it’s not for today, maybe it’s not for tomorrow or even next month, but when it’s truly meant to be, it will come.”  

Luci Washburn

Hamilton High School music teacher Lovina Leon introduced Luci. “As a music teacher, I have the opportunity to see students grow, develop skills and make a difference and Luci has truly stood out,” she said. “She’s had to deal with a lot of challenges, not only here at school but at home, caring for her mom and helping extra around the house.” Luci said she doesn’t recognize challenges and just pushes through like something normal is happening. She said she enjoyed spending a lot of time home alone while her mother worked and her father was busy helping others in the community. When her mother broke her foot at work on New Year’s she was forced to stay home every day and all day – the complete opposite of what this active woman was used to doing. Luci had to step up to clean everything and take over making dinner, all on top of school, sports and band obligations. Everyone was stressed out and then in February, her grandfather was in a serious truck accident in Anza that put him in the hospital. Luci spent weeks helping her grandmother and parents get through it all. She has plans to become a civil engineer.

San Jacinto Unified School District

Aubriana Boyer

San Jacinto High School agriculture teacher Jill Scott met Aubriana two years ago in her Introduction to Floral Design class. She said the program offers a lot for students but it’s up to them to pursue the opportunities, and Aubriana has done that. “The biggest obstacle I’ve faced in my life is overcoming my mental health,” the senior said. “For most of my life, I was emotionally and verbally abused and that really affected my mental health and overall view of the world.” She said during her first two years of high school she didn’t see a lot of hope for her future and didn’t see the importance of school. She failed many classes and had difficulty getting out of bed each morning. “Going into my junior year, my mom moved out and my dad moved back home,” Aubriana said. “I joined floral design and felt my passion for school come back. The FFA program has given me many opportunities to give back to my community.” She plans to major in business at MSJC. “I never thought I could go to college due to how badly I did in my first two years of high school, but I joined AVID this year and it’s helped me see a lot of the resources and opportunities that I have,” Aubriana said. “In the future, I would love to be an agriculture teacher like Ms. Scott.”

Joshua Coleman

San Jacinto Leadership Academy Principal Michael Luna recalls meeting Joshua when he was a teacher at SJLA and Joshua was in sixth grade. Joshua started his speech by saying, “I believe everyone has a choice in life; everyone in and outside this building has the opportunity express themselves whether that is through their academics or in my case, creativity.” He said that during his elementary school years, he endured challenging times of adversity at the schools he attended. “I was bullied continuously and stuck to myself not knowing what the best option was,” Joshua said. “I felt alone, nervous and out of control as if I was not living in my own body. My grades were negatively affected as a result, and I fell into a depression.” He turned to his family and found solace in watching movies, YouTube videos and playing video games. Joshua said his life turned around when he joined the Lion family at SJLA in sixth grade. “My teachers and friends gave me the mental boost I needed to learn that not everyone in life is after you nor are they trying to belittle you,” he said. He began developing his creativity through Photoshop and slide shows and has decided to pursue a career in the entertainment industry, possibly as a film director. “Everyone has something unique they can be talented at,” Joshua said.

Cole Wilson

Mountain Heights Academy chose to honor Cole, who has been accepted to five colleges already where he plans to study astrophysics. He said his greatest contribution to his community is working at the Western Science Center where he prepares fossils for display and teaches science to elementary age children. After suffering a brain injury at birth that caused hydrocephalus, leading to multiple surgeries and hospitalizations, Cole has more than one learning disability and poor vision. “Recently, I was diagnosed with a rare nerve condition that reduced my mobility and caused me to move to online classes,” he said. “The most significant life lesson I will take with me to college is to not put limitations on yourself just because you have a disability.” Cole said he recently found out that doctors had told his parents that he would probably be severely mentally disabled and that his prospects for a normal life were dim, but they never told him. “I never thought to limit myself other than maybe I shouldn’t be a pilot, but that still didn’t stop me from taking an aviation course,” Cole said. “I plan to give back to my community by expanding our understanding of the universe and our role within in.”

Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians

Arionna Ward was chosen to represent Noli Indian School as Student of the Month. Principal Donovan Post said her mother had been a student of his when she attended Noli. A member of the Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians and the Santa Rosa Band of Cahuilla Indians, she has been commuting from Mountain Center to San Jacinto to attend Noli since her sophomore year. Arionna has already been named as the school’s salutatorian for the 2025 graduating class. “I believe my greatest contribution to my community is being a traditional cook with my family,” Arionna said. “Being a traditional cook is a challenging task due to cooking for wakes, funerals and other celebrations.” She is planning to continue her education in business management and finance and has received acceptance letters and scholarships from UCR, University of Redlands and Northern Arizona University. Obstacles she has overcome include her father leaving the family when she was five years old and her grandfather, who stepped into a father figure role for her, passing when Arionna was 13. She also suffered the loss of her great grandmother when she was 16. “Although I did not have a great childhood growing up, by Native standards we had it pretty good,” she said.

Closing remarks

The breakfast ended with guest speaker Ed Delgado sharing his personal story with all the students. The Moreno Valley City Council member and 10-year U.S. Coast Guard veteran retired after a 25-year career with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office. He continues to give back to the community through his work as an Adjunct Instructor for Moreno Valley College, where he teaches leadership courses to young adults within the law enforcement profession. He also speaks at special academy engagements and ceremonies. Delgado noted all of the opportunities he was given and all of the advancements he received in both his military and public service positions. “I don’t tell you all this to brag but to show you what’s possible,” Delgado said. He had a rough start in life with a father who didn’t work and a mother on public assistance. After his mother left the family, he stayed with his father because he wasn’t forced to attend school. His teen years were spent drinking and ditching school. In 1989, he saw a Coast Guard recruitment commercial on television and earned his GED so he could meet the enlistment requirements. At 19, he was stationed across the country and said, “I had to prove to myself that I was better than I was raised.” He said he was grateful for all the opportunities he was given to make a difference and feels his life experiences prepared him well. “Do not ever let anyone tell you that you can’t do something,” Delgado told all the students in the room.

For more information, www.studentofthemonth.net.

The post San Jacinto Valley students honored in March 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.

February’s students of the month from Hemet Unified School District are Tagan Brown, Jesse Castenada, Saniyah Dalton, Alexis Larsen and Odessa Whitmer. San Jacinto Unified honorees for February are A’naej’e Cook and Malaya Saah. Daigan Cyhan from Noli Indian School was also honored.

Hemet Unified School District

Tagan Brown

Western Center Academy chose to honor Tagan this month. Teacher and Christian Club advisor Benjamin Brandt has known her since her freshman year. Tagan is the oldest child with six younger siblings and shares a birthday with her six-year-old brother Maverick. In October of 2020, he fell off the couch and they thought it was just a typical toddler spill. It turned out he had suffered a stroke, and the fall actually fractured his skull. After undergoing emergency brain surgery, he was left paralyzed and mentally handicapped. It changed all their lives. “At this all-time low of my life, I became a Christian and found God, which I think is my most defining feature,” she said. It has helped her through many bumps in the road and has pushed her to be kinder, more compassionate, patient and joyful. “I have learned I want to become a special education teacher,” Tagan said. She has been accepted at Northern Arizona University’s Honors College. “Because I’m the oldest sibling, I’ve had to be a leader from a very young age,” she said. She is involved with her school’s ASB and LINK Crew, is president of the Christian Club and has volunteered with the Ramona outdoor play throughout high school. “My experience has taught me that life is a precious gift that we should all cherish, and I plan to cherish it to the fullest,” Tagan said.

Jesse Castenada

Tahquitz High School Principal Andrew Holmes described Jesse as a varsity basketball player and an outstanding track athlete who is also gaining real world experience by working part time. His English teacher, Molly Otis, said Jesse actively engages in everything they do in class. “Jesse exhibits an ‘I CAN’ attitude – imagination, commitment, affirmation and he never gives up,” she said. Jesse hopes to attend UC, Berkeley or UC, Irvine to study business administration. “I have a passion to become an entrepreneur and to build something meaningful and to prove that where you come from doesn’t determine where you can go,” he said. His father was deported when Jesse was very young, so he had to learn many things on his own. “I had to be strong for my mother even on the days when I just wanted to be a kid,” he said. “But life doesn’t wait for you to be ready. It knocks you down and either you stay down or you get back up and I chose to get back up, but I didn’t do it alone. My brother George taught me responsibility when I had no one else to show me, school taught me accountability and playing sports taught me discipline. Pain is temporary but giving up lasts forever.” He said one of the most powerful lessons he learned that he will take with him to college is to take advantage of every opportunity God sends your way.

Saniyah Dalton

West Valley High School Principal Gerardo Zavala introduced Saniyah as this month’s choice for Student of the Month. He said, “Saniyah’s passion for service goes beyond school; she wants to study law and go into politics to be a strong and honest leader.” Shereen Johnson is her English teacher and Black Student Union advisor who said Saniyah is a dedicated teacher’s assistant, varsity cheerleader and stunt cheerleader who is known for her integrity and kindness. “I believe my greatest contribution to my school, family and community is leadership,” Saniyah said. “Leadership is more than just a title or position; it’s about the impact I make on my surroundings and the way I inspire and guide others. Being an older girl on the cheer team, many of the younger girls look up to me for guidance with any of their problems with family and school. At home, leadership means being responsible, supportive and understanding. In my community, as I’m in many clubs, leadership is supporting that advisor and listening to what people in the club want and need, making sure everyone has a voice.” She was just starting high school when her father died from cancer. “I had to navigate the profound loss of someone who was my guide, my protector and my role model,” Saniyah said. “I was stuck in the grief of losing my dad. It became hard to focus.” Although she admits healing is not a straight line, she has been able to move forward. She plans to attend Xavier University of Louisiana to study political science and government.

Alexis Larsen

The Academy of Innovation is an independent study school who chose to honor Alexis this month. Keely Bunn is the CTE Visual Arts teacher who has worked with Alexis for the past three years. “She’s an intelligent young woman who always turns in quality work,” she said. “She has faced some major challenges in her life that have shaped who she is today.” Alexis said she experienced severe trauma that completely changed her life and the plans she had for her future after her parents divorced when she was 11. “We moved to a new city, and I had to start over at a new school,” she said. “Those changes were overwhelming, and I struggled with anxiety so much that even walking into school felt impossible.” Over time and with determination and support, she learned how to manage her anxiety and refocus on her goals. “Starting high school was a turning point,” Alexis said. “I saw my situation as a reality check. Watching my single mother work two jobs to support us motivated me to push myself even harder.” She joined ASB as a freshman and is serving as its president this year. She plans to major in education at college. “No matter what challenges we face, we have the power to overcome them and shape our own futures,” Alexis said.

Odessa Whitmer

Hamilton High School CTE teacher Alex Williams said Odessa is excelling in athletics, earning CIF honors and MVP recognition in varsity wrestling and varsity track and field. “She serves our community in various roles through her membership in ASB and she is one of the students selected for our CTE nursing internship program with Temecula Valley Hospital Volunteer Foundation,” Williams shared. Odessa said that she has faced many challenges throughout her life, but they shaped her into the person she is today. She was only 10 years old when she learned of her father’s drinking problem, and it caused her severe anxiety and OCD and she couldn’t sleep. Her parents divorced when she was 11 but she would visit him and see he was still drinking. She said that even after a physical assault from her father that left visible marks and mental scars on her, she didn’t want to see him go to jail. “I know he is sick and always will be,” Odessa said. “My philosophy, which inspired me to pursue a law degree, is my belief that every person has a voice that deserves to be heard and sometimes all they need is a helping hand.”

San Jacinto Unified School District

A’naej’e Cook

San Jacinto High School selected A’neaej’e and Assistant Principal Antoinette Miles spoke on behalf of the AVID teacher who nominated her but could not be there. She described the outstanding senior as a “natural born leader whose presence and contributions positively impact everyone around her.” A’naej’e said that even though AVID is a college preparatory class, it was more than that for her because she found a space where she felt safe, heard and supported. She said she will always be grateful to the teacher for her guidance and belief in her. She feels her greatest contribution is her willingness to help whenever she is needed. “I’ve always tried to show up for my school and my community,” A’naej’e said. “High school has taught me that the small actions, whether it’s volunteering, mentoring or simply encouraging someone, can make a big difference. I want to be remembered as someone who not only worked hard but also uplifted others along the way.” Her dream is to become a registered pediatric nurse, specializing in neonatal intensive care. She said she did not have a stable home or attend a school regularly growing up due to moving so often. But she feels these experiences helped her to build strong communication skills. “Connections matter,” A’naej’e said. She currently serves as ASB Senior Class President, vice president for AVID and president of the Black Student Union.

Malaya Saah

Mountain View High School chose to honor Malaya who has recently graduated and is attending Mt. San Jacinto College. Her teacher Trisha Ochoa said, “Malaya has faced challenges that would discourage many but through moments of hardship and self-doubt, she found strength, learned the importance of grace and embraced the support of those who believed in her,” she said. “Malaya’s journey at Mountain View wasn’t just about academic success – it was about rediscovering her potential and stepping into the person she was always meant to be.” Malaya said she was always hard on herself and felt inferior if she asked for help so her mental health declined. She acted out at home and resented her family and others which led to her being sent away from home and into foster care where she continued to make poor choices. Eventually, she returned home and enrolled at the high school and was able to get back on the right path. “Mountain View is a chapter in my life that I will never forget and continue to embrace,” Malaya said. “Throughout my rollercoaster of a journey, I have been able to discover who I am and give myself grace while accepting the fact that I am only human.” She is studying law and public policy with plans to eventually become a prosecuting attorney.

Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians

Daigan Cyhan was chosen to represent Noli Indian School as Student of the Month. Principal Donovan Post said the school offers middle and high school courses for any student from a federally recognized Tribe within about an 85-mile radius. Daigan pushes that limit by commuting from the Los Coyotes Reservation in northern San Diego County. “I take it as an honor to have these students attend Noli because they can easily attend a school that is a lot closer to their homes,” Post said. “This young man plays sports and other things and gets home around 1 a.m. and then gets up at 4:30 a.m. to catch the bus to come back to school; it’s amazing. He’s been with us his entire high school years and he exemplifies everything we want in our students as far as leadership, determination, not giving up and doing everything that is required. But more importantly, it’s his cultural values and what it means to be a Native American right now in today’s society.” His mother, Tashina Ornelas, is the Culture teacher at Noli and said Daigan is her oldest of eight children. She said it has been a great experience having her son as a student in her classroom where she can mentor him, and he can see the relationship between teachers and community. She grew up in the San Jacinto Valley with the Soboba community and said the commute is worth it. Daigan said, “I believe my greatest contribution to my community is when I help out with cultural events. My mom does basketweaving and things like that and I like to help out, teaching the kids and being there to offer my assistance.” He hopes to attend UCR to major in biology and then continue onto medical school to eventually be an anesthesiologist or radiologist. He has had to overcome some obstacles, including being disenrolled from his Tribe. “It’s kind of hard to express what that felt like, getting kicked out of your own community,” Daigan said. “It’s like shameful almost, feeling like you did something wrong, but you didn’t. It really hurts but it’s something that I lived through, and I’m still involved with the community as much as possible. I’m still part of Pechanga – just not documented; that’s my people and I’ll forever be a part of them.” Daigan gives back to the community by continuing to share the cultural knowledge he has learned from his uncle, his mother and others, teaching the youth how to keep the traditions alive.

For more information, www.studentofthemonth.net.

The post San Jacinto Valley students honored in February 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.

November’s students of the month from Hemet Unified School District are Drew Sene Amisone, Karelyn Blackmore, Nadia Henry, Damian Renteria and Christina Walker. San Jacinto Unified’s honorees for November are Estrella Guzman Banuelos and Mariah Ruiz.

Hemet Unified School District

Drew Sene Amisone

West Valley High School singled out Drew this month. Coach Brent Perez composed a letter to Drew which he read as a way to introduce him. “In all my years of coaching, I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone so talented, yet so humble,” he said. “I know this season has been tough for you. This was supposed to be your big year when you landed a Division 1 football scholarship but injuries have sidetracked that momentarily.” Drew said, “This has probably been the hardest year for me. I was restricted from doing the thing I love most and that was playing football. From a young age, football has been my world, it’s been my identity and it’s been more than a sport to me.” An injured ankle before the season’s first game cost him six out of 10 games, which put him in a dark place where he avoided his friends who were also his teammates. After a long six weeks of recovery he returned to the field with a fierce intention to show what he could still do. In the third quarter of his second game back, he broke his collarbone and that ended his senior regular season. Damian hopes to attend a college with strong animal science and biology classes where he can also play football. “One lesson I’ll carry with me to college is to never give up.” Drew’s mother, Sone Faasalele, directed her comments at her son, saying, “You have surpassed all of my expectations and have become the young man that your father and I have always dreamt you to be – a responsible young man who leads from the front, not only on the field but specifically with your siblings. I don’t need the accolades or trophies to tell me how incredible you are.”

Karelyn Blackmore

Hamilton High School Principal Kari Sanchez described Karelyn as a “Girl on Fire” who has her feet planted solidly on the ground but is truly on fire. She is known around campus as “Kare” and said it is very fitting. Teacher Diana Welty-Guerrero has known Karelyn since her freshman year and said she’s always been a stop student. She serves as ASB president and is always eager to help others. She plans to attend UCSD to major in computer science.

In 2022, Karelyn’s father died after losing his battle with alcoholism after being sober for 15 years. Because she had inherited her love for technology from him, the passion they had shared began to falter. “When I was told to leave my childhood home at 16, I supported myself with my father’s mindset and my determination to prove I could survive with no parental support,” she said. She shared a quote from poet and novelist Herman Hesse, “I have always believed, and I still believe, that whatever good or bad fortine may come our way, we can always give it meaning and transform it into something of value.” Karelyn said, “I am now more passionate and dedicated to success than ever before.” She said she has dreamed of attending college since she could spell her name and hopes to bring more technology back to her community after she earns her degree.

Nadia Henry

Hemet High School calculus teacher Kristin DeWit introduced Nadia as an outstanding student with a 4.5 GPA, who is ranked first in her senior class and has passed eight AP exams. “Her passion for research recently led her to complete an impressive study on post-fire sapling regeneration. Her findings were shared with the San Jacinto Forestry Department which helped them to better understand the results of their past regeneration efforts,” DeWit said. “She wants to use her intelligence to better our world.” Nadia said her story begins in her mountain hometown of Idyllwild. “Growing up in a place surrounded by nature, you can guess I’m very passionate about the environment, which has evolved into a love for conservation,” she said. After her parents divorced and her father moved to Alaska, the family had to move in with friends and when they changed religions, the rest of the family cut ties with them. This caused a lot of despair, and her sister was driven to the point of attempting suicide. Nadia worked hard to overcome these challenges. Hoping to combine her love of nature with her strong physics and math skills, she hopes to attend Stanford to prepare for a career as a biomimicry engineer. “I’ve learned that perseverance is not just pushing through your obstacles but using those experiences to fuel your passions and create a positive change,” Nadia said. “My story is a testament to that.”

Damian Renteria

Western Center Academy selected Damian as their Student of the Month for November. Counselor Sandy Arave said that throughout his time at the school, Damian has exemplified kindness, consideration and unwavering support for everyone around him, all while excelling academically. “His commitment to improving our school culture as a member of ASB is evident in every initiative he champions,” she said. Damian said, “Growing up in a Mexican family it became apparent to me at a young age that I was different from those around me. The household I grew up in was my safe place and up until elementary school I never had any issues with my identity or more specifically my sexuality.” In middle school he would overhear snarky comments about how he talked and questioning if he was gay. “At this point I never considered myself gay because to be honest I didn’t know what it meant,” Damian said. “My sister had already come out as gay, but I couldn’t fully understand what orientation was.” He began to express himself through eyeliner, mascara and feminine clothing and in his sophomore year some senior boys called him a “fag” as he was walking to his biotechnology class. “I had no other emotion but sadness; it waved over me like fire,” he said. However, those words eventually turned into motivation for Damian, leading him to join ASB, LINK Crew and UNICEF and allowing him to become the leader and mentor he never felt like he could ever be. “My actions spoke louder than my words and I’ve become someone to look up to,” he said. “So always remember, words may have power, but your actions will always be stronger.”

Christina Walker

Tahquitz High School Principal Andrew Holmes introduced Christina as a “talented scholar that loves to dance and her favorite class is English because she finds it inspirational to write about her passions.” College and Career Counselor and Pacific Islander Club advisor LaVerne Williams Schoonover said Christina has embraced the art of storytelling through Polynesian dance culture. “But most of all, she has embodied the aloha spirit through her daily actions,” she said. As a token of love, she presented Christina with a special lei that symbolizes enlightenment, protection, peace and guidance. “I believe my greatest contribution at school is helping my peers in class and getting more students involved by joining clubs,” Christina said. “I believe as a captain of the Polynesian dance team I try to encourage and teach other students to do their best in school and outside of school.” On Aug. 8, 2023, when wildfires destroyed Hawaiian towns on the island of Maui, Christina reached out with her teammates and singlehandedly organized a fundraiser. One hundred percent of the proceeds went to provide basic back-to-school items for school children through Maui Strong. Christina plans to pursue a career in radiology.

San Jacinto Unified School District

Estrella Guzman Banuelos

San Jacinto High School teacher John Norman Jr. has known Estrella since her freshman year. He said that in his 20-plus years of teaching, she is the toughest student he has ever known, adding, “She’s probably impacted me more than I have impacted her. This year she has really blossomed; it’s amazing to see when somebody is given a chance to have some structure in their lives what they can become.” Due to unfortunate circumstances, her family lived in a one-room hotel room all of last year. Estrella said that she had always planned to become a pediatric doctor until she realized that children need mental and emotional help and not just physical help. This shifted her career plans to the area of child and family social work. “Growing up I had to deal with a language barrier until I was able to speak proper English,” Estrella said. She said there were added family responsibilities that often brought her down as she was seen as the one who needed to set an example for her younger siblings. “One of the most important things I’ve learned is that you may not be able to control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide to not be defined by them,” she said. Estrella spent two years on the cross-country team and four years on the track team. She’s been an AVID and MEChA club member all four years as well.

Mariah Ruiz

Mountain Heights Academy teacher Gabrielle Henderson described Mariah as an “incredibly driven” student who seeks a future career in the healthcare field as a registered nurse “where her compassion and commitment will undoubtedly make a difference.” Mariah said her greatest contribution is and always will be supporting her mother. “I am the second oldest of seven girls and my mom works 10 hours every day to have the things that we have,” she said. “Although I know my mom is a strong, independent woman, I still try my hardest to make her day easier. Whether it’s having the house clean, dinner made or even just helping to get my sisters ready for bed, it is always worth it to help my mom get a moment of rest because I know how much she needs it. Being there for my mom has taught me empathy, responsibility and resilience and these are qualities I will take with me for the rest of my life.”

Her goals are to attend college, earn her degree in science and become a registered nurse, hopefully in the neonatal field. “Nursing isn’t just a career for me, but a way to make a difference in people’s lives,” Mariah said. “I have learned self-love and how to be resilient despite others’ opinions of me. I learned to speak up and set boundaries. A significant life lesson I’ll take with me is to not let others’ opinions bring you down or define who you are.”

For more information, www.studentofthemonth.net.

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The Western Center Academy in Hemet has nabbed the nation’s top award for schools.

It is one of 33 campuses in California — and the only one in the Inland Empire — to be named a 2024 National Blue Ribbon School.

The honor marks the second National Blue Ribbon for the charter school, which also won in 2017. It has been recognized as a California Distinguished School several times, including 2013, 2018, 2021 and 2024.

The national award went to 356 schools, the U.S. Department of Education announced Monday, Sept. 23. It “highlights schools that excel in academic performance or make significant strides in closing achievement gaps among different student groups,” a department news release states.Part of the Hemet Unified School District, the school is adjacent to the Western Science Center, a natural history museum, at the entrance to Diamond Valley Lake.

Among other feats, the school won the championship in 2024 and 2023 at the Riverside County Academic Decathlon. The academy has a STEM focus, with labs that delve into  paleontology, archaeology, robotics, forensics, coding, aquatic biology and geology, according to its website.The school, which has grades six through 12, will receive a National Blue Ribbon School award flag.

Blue Ribbon winners “serve as models of effective and innovative practices for educators across the nation,” the release states.

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