The team traveled to Florida in early February to compete in the National High School Cheerleading Championship, where hundreds of teams from across the United States gathered to showcase their routines. According to Hemet Unified School District officials, the event featured more than 1,200 teams representing 34 states and nearly 27,000 student-athletes.

Tahquitz entered the competition in the Large Varsity Coed Division I category, one of the most competitive divisions at the national event. After advancing through preliminary rounds, the team secured a place among the top five finalists.

During the final round, the squad delivered what school officials described as an exceptional routine that helped secure first place and the national championship.

Head coach Sarah Peterson credited the victory to the team’s dedication and commitment throughout the season.

“This group believed in what they could accomplish long before others recognized it,” Peterson said. “Their work ethic, teamwork and determination helped them reach this moment.”

The victory is a historic one for the program. Tahquitz High School is the first school from California to win the Large Varsity Coed Division I title since the national competition began in 1980.

The school has competed in the same division for the past eight years and previously earned two second-place finishes before finally reaching the top of the podium this season.

School officials said the championship represents years of hard work by the athletes and coaching staff and is a milestone achievement for the school and the Hemet community.

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Local program founder and Student of the Month Committee member Karena Zermeno-Leon emceed the event. She also represents program sponsors Karena Zermeno Realtor and Cave Restaurant at Oak Mountain Winery. 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 Aidan DeSanto, Celeste Lopez, Kenia Lupercio Gomez, and Timothy Wisda. San Jacinto Unified honorees for February are Isabelle Millan and Allison Norman.

Hemet Unified School District

Aidan DeSanto

Tahquitz High School Principal Andrew Holmes introduced Aidan as an academic scholar who has been in the AVID program for more than four years. “He excels not only academically but he’s got a lot of talents,” Holmes said. “He participates in dance and this is one of his passions.” English teacher Molly Otis said, “I love Aidan’s ‘I can’ attitude, his imagination, his commitment, his affirmation and the fact that he never gives up.” Aidan said, “I believe that through my experiences as a competitive dancer, four years of AVID, and as the social media manager and Link Crew member, I can inspire students to take every opportunity that is handed to you, no matter how tired or unmotivated you may feel at the time.” He plans to become a teacher so he can inspire kids to learn. Aidan unexpectedly lost his father a year and a half ago, which affected him deeply and in many negative ways. “It helped me realize that none of us truly are promised tomorrow. And to take every moment in and appreciate the people you love and care about the most,” he said. “I would like to close this by saying I hope to be viewed as a light to my community. No matter how hard my days are or what I’m going through, I never want to be the reason someone has a bad day or be viewed as a negative person. I hope to be the reason that someone feels valued or loved because I know love is what the world needs.”

Celeste Lopez

Western Center Academy Executive Director Paul Bailey introduced Celeste’s ASB advisor Maura Trujillo to talk about her. “Celeste is a remarkable student, leader, and human being,” she said. “She has consistently shown what   dedication and discipline look like in action. Celeste leads with heart. Through ASB leadership, National Honor Society, and years of service in her church and community, she has uplifted others, created connections, and made people feel seen. She pours her joy into dance, her compassion into working with children, and her faith into everything she does.” Celeste said her world crumbled after her father left and she was forced to move. A chaotic home life led her to feel isolated, scared, sad, and betrayed. She chose not to let her situation break her but rather to push her past her limits and force her to grow over time. “I held onto pursuing academics, hobbies, and serving others. Since before high school, I volunteered weekly through dance school and church,” Celeste said. “Giving my time reminded me that even when life feels like it’s falling apart, and you are too, you still have something to give.” She is working towards her dream of becoming a labor and delivery nurse with a certification as an ultrasound technician because she wants to “encourage, protect, and care for a new life at the very beginning.”

Kenia Lupercio Gomez

West Valley High School Principal Cynthia Leon said Kenia is a model student. “In spite of the challenges she’s faced, she continues to persevere and we’re so proud of her,” Leon said. Teacher Valerie Lopez congratulated Kenia on being honored. “You have a 4.0 GPA, you have a job, you are heavily involved with Latinos Unidos on campus, and it has been such a pleasure to see you grow and to see you be a leader,” she said. Kenia said from a young age, she understood that her life was different than those of her classmates. Since the age of three, Kenia’s mother was living in the United States while she was living in Mexico with her grandmother because her father would not be responsible for her. “When the day finally came to reunite with my mother in the United States, I felt nervous yet hopeful,” Kenia said. Upon arrival, she learned that her mother had begun a new life and a new family. Starting school here without speaking English proved to be another challenge but with a dedicated teacher’s help, she was able to become fluent in six months. However, she went back to Mexico for several years and all this instability took a toll on her mental health, causing anxiety and depression. “I am committed to pursuing higher education, achieving success and proving that obstacles do not define limits, they create strength,” Kenia said. “My end goal is to become a clinical psychologist.  I also want to continue with my folklorico dancing career to always remember my roots and embrace my culture.”

Timothy Wisda

Hamilton High School Principal Kari Sanchez said that due to unforeseen circumstances, Timothy was unable to attend the ceremony. Additionally, his nominating teacher was under the weather and could not be there. Rather than cancel, Sanchez reminded herself of the purpose of the event being about perseverance and getting through unexpected circumstances that are beyond our control. So she came from Anza to offer her congratulations to all the students being honored and to share a little bit about Timothy. “He has been through quite a bit,” she said. “He made some poor choices early on in his high school career but turned that all around. He’s now a three-sport athlete; an active member on our football, wrestling and baseball teams. He’s currently earning all As and Bs, and he is just the most respectful young man.” At a later date Sanchez was able to meet with Timothy and present him with his backpack and Student of the Month trophy. She said he expressed much gratitude and was apologetic that he could not attend the breakfast. “Motivation gets me started, but daily consistency is what has made the difference for me,” Timothy said.

San Jacinto Unified School District

Isabelle Millan

Mountain View High School Principal Ken Swanson introduced Trisha Ochoa, Isabelle’s Social Studies teacher. “Students come to Mountain View with many different paths and experiences,” she said. “What stood out to me about Isabelle was her determination and her willingness to work toward the goals she set for herself no matter the challenges along the way.” Isabelle said people often tell stories about growing up with difficult childhoods. “I wouldn’t say mine was terrible, but like everyone, I experienced hardship that shaped me into who I am today.” She said her mother’s strength, sacrifices and love inspired her. “She showed me what perseverance looked like long before I knew I would need it myself,” Isabelle said. “Growing up, I was a total daddy’s girl. So when my father suddenly got deported and my parents separated, it felt like my world shattered overnight. I didn’t just lose my dad being around, but I lost a sense of security I had as a child.” Her mental health suffered. She transferred to Mountain View as a senior and said although it’s different from a traditional high school, different does not mean less. “Behind the label is a school filled with some of the most caring, dedicated, and genuine educators I have ever met,” Isabelle said. “I walked in feeling dumb, ashamed, and like a failure. I walked in thinking I didn’t belong anywhere, but they all changed my life.” She went from thinking she wouldn’t graduate at all to graduating on Dec. 16th, completing her CNA program and being accepted into Grand Canyon University’s pre-nursing program.

Allison Norman

San Jacinto High School Principal Lloyd Sheppard congratulated Allison for being a CIF League Champion on the tennis court in November. Education specialist and cheer coach Jennifer Draw said, “Allison has consistently demonstrated exceptional academic excellence throughout her high school years. She has had straight As all four years of high school. She has set a remarkable standard of dedication and perseverance. But Allison is much more than just a stellar student. She is a well-rounded young woman who excels in many areas.” Beyond school, Allison is already positively impacting community youth by giving tennis lessons and working at Charlotte’s Gymnastics. “I played four years of tennis at SJHS, I’ve done cheer for two years, and if that were not enough, I was also in ASB for the past three years,” Allison said. “ASB made a huge impact on my ability to socialize with others and had given me a sense of accomplishment. Tennis and cheer made it possible to excel in activities related to sports, which all of my family is deeply involved in. All of these things made a direct impact on my schedule both daily and weekly. Balancing my education with all of my activities is very important to me.” She credits her success to the overwhelming support she has always received from her parents and grandparents. During her high school years, both her mother and grandmother were diagnosed with cancer. “Cancer used to frighten me as I did not know much about it, but I quickly learned that treatment is possible. Nevertheless, I was affected by these events,” Allison said.

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-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.

January’s students of the month from Hemet Unified School District are Haylie Alvarez, Katelyn Cerpas Fuentes, Jennah Ramirez, Erendira Soria, and Aaron Turner. San Jacinto Unified honorees for January are Christopher Garcia and Elizabeth Schmitz.

Hemet Unified School District

Haylie Alvarez

Hamilton High School Principal Kari Sanchez described Haylie in one word: persistence. She has attended Hamilton since eighth grade. Nominating teacher Mary Kleinvachter had Haylie in class in her sophomore and now senior years and said there is a night and day difference. Citing French playwright Molière’s quote “the greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it,” Haylie said it taught her about perseverance and found it to be one of the truest statements ever written. “I have lived the obstacles and I’m still dipping my foot into the glory of overcoming them each day that passes,” she said. “When I was 15, I found out my parents were separating due to complications.” Her academics suffered as a result. Her mother left and her siblings went with her. Haylie found it too overwhelming to leave all her friends and start over, so she stayed with her father. She entered into a toxic relationship with a boy at school and this caused further problems. One day she told herself, “Everything happens for a reason, and I have a reason to make things happen.” She plans to become an ultrasound technician. “I’m ready to do amazing things in life and help as many people as I can,” Haylie said.

Katelyn Cerpas Fuentes

Tahquitz High School Principal Andrew Holmes said Katelyn has overcome a lot of adversity but has shined through every moment of it. “She’s played tennis for over 10 years and had an exceptional season helping to lead her team to a Tahquitz first of making it to the CIF semifinals. She plays the guitar, ukulele and is in choir.” Her former AP Spanish teacher Virginia Shaw met Katelyn three years ago when she enrolled at the school in the Newcomers program, knowing very little English. With her great desire to learn she was able to reclassify as an English learner last year. “Before I tell you where I’m going, I want you to understand where I have been,” Katelyn said. “For most of my life, stability was a word I heard but never truly lived. My first experience with loss was when I was still a baby and my dad was deported.” Due to constant moving, she grew up studying across different countries, schools and cities. “Over time, I began to feel that I belonged nowhere,” she said. “At a young age, I learned how to appear strong. On the outside I looked capable but on the inside I felt invisible. The greatest lesson I learned is that strength is not silence and that independence doesn’t mean being alone,” Katelyn said.

Jennah Ramirez

Alessandro High School Principal Matthew Centofranchi said Jennah is living the saying Assistant Principal Steven Mack always tells students, “You always have the choice to make the right decision.” Jennah enrolled at the alternative school last year and has had tremendous growth. Teacher Erica Ruiz-Pennington said Jennah has been part of her first responder class for two years and serves as battalion chief. “Her transformation has been nothing short of remarkable,” she said. “Despite living with a heart condition that could have slowed her down, Jennah refused to let it stop her. She also navigates the emotional weight of her parents’ divorce.” Jennah said growing up, she always wondered why her parents couldn’t have stayed together. “But I now see their relationship as friends and co-parents and I wouldn’t ask for anything more,” Jennah said. When she found she only had 20 credits at the end of her sophomore year and was transferring to Alessandro she dreaded the idea of leaving her friends behind but soon realized the school was a door to new opportunities and she was able to start focusing on herself. “My goal is to work for AMR as a paramedic,” Jennah said. She has been hired by the City of Hemet as a risk reduction cadet to start making a difference in the community.

Erendira Soria

Hemet High School Principal Jeff Franks introduced Erendira as a member of the soccer team, the school’s Care Club and its Breakfast Club. Tacher DJ Edwards said, “As I’ve gotten to know Erendira this year, a few defining qualities have stood out to me; her tenacious work ethic, resilient spirit and a heart full of compassion.” Erendira said her life has been shaped by both challenges and resilience. “As the oldest of four, I have always felt a deep sense of responsibility towards my family,” she said. Growing up she watched her family face many hardships and struggle with homelessness and domestic violence, issues that scarred her emotionally. In 2024, her mother was diagnosed with cancer. Erendira became her support while caring for her siblings, one with cystic fibrosis and one with a disability. There were moments when she felt overwhelmed, but she never gave up hope. Thankfully her mother is now cancer-free. Through everything, Erendira remained dedicated to her education. She plans to attend community college to finish her general education and prerequisites for nursing before transferring to a four-year university to earn her bachelor’s degree in that discipline. “My goal is to become a nurse who not only provides medical care but also offers compassion and understanding to families facing difficult times, especially the ones like mine,” she said.

Aaron Turner

West Valley High School Principal Cynthia Leon introduced Aaron as “one of the sweetest kids ever.” Despite challenges, he had straight As last semester and is a valuable member of the chamber choir. His one-on-one aide Ivory Reichenecker has worked with Aaron for the past three years. “One of the best things that reflects who Aaron is comes from his time in choir, the class he enjoys the most,” she said. “He understands that success is not only measured by hard work but also by the care and respect you show others and that lesson will carry him far beyond this school.” Aaron said, “I come from a family that has always supported me and encouraged me to keep going even when things felt difficult. Even when things were challenging, I continued to show up and try my best, learning the value of dedication and growth along the way.” Aaron plans to attend MSJC and pursue a career as a graphic designer. “I am excited to combine creative and purpose and use my skills to express ideas, tell stories and make meaningful connections through design.” His mother, Chariss Turner, said Aaron’s condition is Duchenne muscular dystrophy. “Most boys don’t make it this far so the fact Aaron is here is a blessing; we are so grateful.” She thanked Hemet Unified School District for helping when other districts could not. “What the district and the school and the teachers offer is outstanding,” Turner said. “As a parent, when you drop your kid off and you know you have people that are going to take care of your kids and give them all the resources that they need, it’s a blessing. “So kudos to the people that care about our students,” she said.

San Jacinto Unified School District

Christopher Garcia

San Jacinto Leadership Academy Principal Mike Luna said Christopher has been with the school since sixth grade. Despite challenges this past year, his perseverance and determination have been an example of what grit is. Spanish teacher Elena Bazaldua said, “Chris’ journey over this past year is a powerful example of resilience and strength. After losing his father, Chris could have stepped back but instead, he chose to move forward.” Christopher said one of the things that he has remembered for most of his life is that there are 86,400 seconds in a day. “If you got that much money every day and you were able to spend it all and it came back every day, you would try to spend as much money as possible, buying all the things you’ve always wanted,” he said.  “That’s how many seconds there are in this day so don’t waste them.” Christopher likes to do creative things such as writing, playing the guitar and being active in his community. “When my dad passed away it was like a reality check,” he said. “Fate has this thing of giving you all that you want right before the end.” A week before he lost his father, Christopher was able to spend more quality time with him than usual. He plans to take a gap year to concentrate on his music before heading to college.

Elizabeth Schmitz

San Jacinto High School Principal Lloyd Sheppard introduced Elizabeth as “one of those shining examples that continue to remind us of why we do what we do at each of our school sites to support our students.” He continued, “She reminded us of the value of personal connection that is sometimes overlooked at a large high school. She is also an example of student voice and why it’s so important for us to ensure that we’re listening to what our students need to help us be successful.” Registrar Luisana Martinez said Elizabeth is on track to complete her associate’s degree before her high school diploma. Elizabeth said she has attended about a dozen different schools until now. “My life hasn’t exactly been easy,” she said. “Life’s not been kind and neither was my mother. She had a mental illness, and it really hurt me and my brother.” A stepfather recognized she was being neglected as a child and tried to help. “My future hasn’t always been bright,” Elizabeth said. She admitted contemplating suicide before she was 13. “Due to technology, we are losing authentication in our world,” she said. She feels social communication is critical. “We now have a student forum at SJHS and in February we’re hoping to start town halls to invite all students to have a voice,” Elizabeth said.

For more information, www.studentofthemonth.net.

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

Katelynne Ray, a Western Center Academy graduate, excelled academically and was deeply involved in ASB leadership, Link Crew, and extensive community service. With a passion for education and student engagement, Katelynne plans to attend George Washington University, majoring in History and Social Studies, with the goal of becoming a high school history teacher and eventually working as an ASB advisor.

Tyler Trout is a student-athlete from Hemet High School, who successfully balanced AP coursework and sports. He was actively involved in ASB, athletics and Advanced Choir, and volunteered regularly at the Ramona Animal Shelter. Tyler played football, golf, and baseball, developing discipline and teamwork through competition. With aspirations of becoming a sports agent, athletic trainer, or P.E. teacher, he plans to pursue a degree in kinesiology or sports management at Cal State San Marcos.

Jesse Castaneda, a recent Tahquitz High School graduate, balanced academics, athletics, and a part-time job to support his family.  Both an athlete and leader, Jesse served as captain of the varsity basketball and track teams and was secretary of the Career and Technical Student Organization. His work ethic brough him such honors as English Student of the Year and the Seal of Biliteracy. He plans to pursue Business Administration in college and has applied to UCLA and UC Berkeley, hoping for a career in finance and entrepreneurship.

Genesis Marie Andrade, a graduate of Hamilton High School, excelled in academics, leadership, and athletics throughout her four years. She served as a varsity softball and basketball captain and a Peer Mentor and was on the Gold Honor Roll for four years. Her diverse skills in English, art, public speaking, and leadership reflect her many talents and areas of interest. With a focus on law and criminal justice, she plans to attend La Verne or Northern Arizona University to pursue a career as a lawyer or judge.

Andrew Bedolla, a graduate of West Valley High School, was actively involved in various extracurricular activities throughout his high school career, including AVID, Link Crew, Math Club. With a deep fascination with medical imaging and its role in diagnosing and treating patients, he plans to pursue a career as a radiologist, combining his passion for science with his commitment to service and his desire to help others. He hopes to attendLa Sierra University, UCLA, or UC Riverside.

Daniel Contreras isa recent graduate from Alessandro High School. Inspired by family members in the medical field, he enjoys helping others and hopes to become a registered nurse. At Alessandro, he participated in the Career and Technical Education program for First Responders, further developing his skills and commitment to service. He has shown leadership as a Student Leadership Team member, a Mayor Mentee and student representative to the Governing Board. He plans to attend Mt. San Jacinto College before transferring to Loma Linda University to major in nursing or another area of medicine.

Pan Sorrell attended the Academy of Innovation in Hemet where she developed an interest in science and medicine. While at AOI, she was enrolled in a dual enrollment program at Mt. San Jacinto College and will eventually transfer to a four-year university to pursue a degree in health sciences or biology, with the goal of becoming a neurosurgeon. Her experience in the Medical Innovation Research & Entrepreneurship program reinforced her commitment to medicine and mentorship. In the future, she plans to establish a nonprofit organization that provides internships for aspiring physicians and delivers free healthcare to underserved communities. The Hemet Education Foundation, founded in 1978, has been dedicated to supporting students in the Hemet Unified School District in their pursuit of higher education for decades. Through its generous scholarships, the foundation continues to invest in future leaders, innovators, and changemakers, recognizing their achievements in academics, athletics, leadership, and community service. To learn more about the foundation, go to HemetEducationFoundation.com.

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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 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.

Families identified by school site parent liaisons received a voucher that enabled them to drive through the distribution area after checking in. When the program first began several years ago, families were treated to a 20-plus pound turkey. As inflation increased in recent years, Soboba Foundation board members decided it was important for families to be given more, and all the fixings were added.

Along with the large frozen turkey, each family also received a large package of cornbread stuffing, a huge can of turkey gravy, cranberry sauce, corn, green beans, rolls and seasoned mashed potatoes and a pumpkin pie.

The San Jacinto High School stadium parking lot was transformed into a two-lane pick-up station for 700 families who have students attending San Jacinto Unified School District schools. Items were sorted by dry and frozen and bagged by a steady stream of helping hands. Thanks to the efforts of volunteers from the Soboba Foundation, Soboba Tribal Council, Soboba Casino Resort, Soboba Tribal Environmental Department, the school district and the community, as well as Tribal members Bianca Machado and Alex Vallejo, vehicles were safely and swiftly loaded with all the essentials needed for a delicious Thanksgiving feast in just a couple of hours.

The day before this event, 300 meal fixings were distributed to local organizations that reach families that do not have children attending schools in either district. One nonprofit that received 125 of the 300 turkey meals was Valley Community Pantry.

SJUSD registered nurse Kim DeWald was helping out for the first time. “I made it a point to be out here this year,” she said. SJUSD Superintendent Dave Pyle was on turkey duty, taking them out of big boxes to place one on each rolling cart where bags of other items were added. He said the event gives district employees an opportunity to step away from what they do on a daily basis and make an impact on the community in a different way.

“It is so fulfilling to be part of this program every year that helps so many families in our community who wouldn’t otherwise have a traditional Thanksgiving dinner,” Pyle said. “It’s great to be working with Soboba again. This is always one of my favorite days of the year.”

Upbeat music played on loudspeakers as cars were ushered into the parking lot and a long line of representatives from each school, including mascots, stood along the route cheering and wishing them a happy holiday.

Anthony Segura has been teaching for 10 years, spending the last three at the state preschool program near the Edward Hyatt World Language Academy campus.

“I love to give back; it’s awesome to be the change,” he said. “It’s exciting seeing all the employees working together. It brings us all together and I think that meets our concept of ‘The San Jacinto Difference.’”

The following day, many of the same volunteers were at the parking lot of Hemet Unified School District’s administration offices on Acacia Ave. to serve families of students who attend HUSD schools. Soboba Foundation President Dondi Silvas stayed busy both days directing traffic at San Jacinto and helping to load cars at Hemet.

“We are truly blessed that we are able to do so much for the families in the neighboring communities that surround the Soboba Indian reservation,” Silvas said. “Hearing the heartfelt thank yous from the families as we load their cars, especially from the tiniest voices, gives us all a warm and joyous feeling.”

Soboba Tribal Council members Mike Bentiste and Daniel Valdez also serve as board members for the Foundation and always volunteer to help out and Vice Chairwoman Geneva Mojado also volunteered at both locations.

“Soboba gives back in many different ways throughout the year but during the holidays we get to see firsthand who benefits the most,” Mojado said. “It is very humbling to know that we can provide something that seems so simple but means so much to each individual family that is served by this program.”

HUSD’s Nutrition Services department assembled 1,000 boxes and bags a few days prior to the event. The dry goods were placed into a box with a “Happy Thanksgiving” sticker while the bags contained the frozen items.

Claudia Aguilar, who works at the district’s warehouse, brought a festive twist to the event by wearing a turkey costume as she greeted participants driving by. “We’re delivering love right now,” she said.

Hemet-San Jacinto Valley Chamber of Commerce Chair Patricia Scott enlisted the help of many members to join her to pitch in. She herself has been a member since 2014 and volunteers every year. “The board has always been supportive of this event and our partners are very responsive to coming out to serve the community every year,” she said. “I will take any opportunity to serve; I love it.”

CR&R Sustainability Coordinator Derik Fields, who heard about the volunteer opportunity from Scott, said, “I used to work in a grocery store so I’m kind of used to the busy holiday season.”

To keep the area clear of clutter, several helpers stayed busy breaking down the boxes as they were emptied of their contents and loading the cardboard into large recycling bins.

Refrigerated trucks were constantly being unloaded by forklifts with the pallets delivered to the nearby canopied distribution area for easy access. The process went smoothly, with everyone working together like a well-oiled machine to keep the rows of vehicles flowing.

Miriam Ortiz, Coordinator for School, Family and Community Partnerships at HUSD, said, “We are super grateful for the opportunity to be included in this program and to be able to share this with our families. We have such a great team of parent liaisons and a lot of cross collaboration to ensure that each individual family gets what they need.”

Marisol Inda is a parent liaison at West Valley and took on traffic duty to guide cars into the parking lot from the public streets. She has worked for Hemet Unified for 12 years, the last eight as a parent liaison. For the past 10 years she has also assisted as an interpreter throughout the district as she is fluent in English, Spanish and ASL. Inda said vouchers are given out based on referrals from staff, other students or the families themselves. The school was given 110 this year.

She has been helping with the Soboba Gives Back turkey distribution since it began. “I love helping others and being part of the community,” Inda said.

Ortiz said families were asked to complete an online survey following the event about what went well, and the overwhelming response was that it was “excellent.” Comments included, “Very quick and efficient. Everyone was very kind,” while another wrote, “It was so well organized. All the smiling faces were so wonderful to see. We are beyond blessed to be part of something so amazing.”

One family commented, “Thank you so much, my children are so excited. We had experienced multiple passings in the last few months.” Another one wrote, “They were very well-organized regarding traffic, and everything went very fast. And I am now going to be able to have a Thanksgiving dinner for my family. Thank you.”

The post Soboba gives 2,000 reasons for families to be thankful 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.

The post San Jacinto Valley students honored in November 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.