At Sally Buselt Elementary School in Menifee, third‑grade teacher Lesley Stevens plans to transform her students’ reading experience by adding flexible seating to the school’s large collaborative learning space. “With my $100 check I am going to purchase some comfortable seating to use with my students during reading group time,” she explained. “Our school has a unique and large collaborative space to use, and the comfortable cushions will make this space during our reading time so much better!”

At Tahquitz High School in Hemet, biology teacher Anne Rizzacasa will use her grant to enhance hands‑on science learning. The award will cover much-needed technology essentials and supplies her classroom has been missing. “Thank you so much, CalRTA! I plan to buy chargers for our Chromebooks and biotech supplies to study genetics, along with headphones to help students concentrate,” she said.

Fourth‑grade teacher Lorena Roberts of Nuview Elementary School expressed her enthusiasm for expanding both math and literacy resources in her classroom. “I am so grateful to have received a CalRTA Division 33 Teacher Grant,” she said. “I am excited to buy math manipulatives for my students. I also plan on buying more books for my classroom library. My students are going to love all of the new books. Thank you for continuing to support educators!”

At Park Hill Elementary School in San Jacinto, K–2 special education teacher Mai Eickman will use her grant to purchase essential classroom supplies tailored to her students’ needs. She emphasized the importance of sensory tools in supporting young learners, helping them focus and spurring engagement. “Thank you so much for the $100 check! I’m planning to use the money to buy school supplies for my classroom, especially sensory toys for my students!”

At Fruitvale Elementary School in Hemet, reading intervention teacher Jenna Spinali received $200 in grant funds — presented by Division 33 Co‑President Sue Breyer and Secretary Amy Helm at a recent staff meeting — after Division 33 matched the CalRTA state’s $100 Teacher Grant with an additional $100. Ms. Spinali explained that the funds will directly support the intensive reading intervention she and her co‑teacher provide to students who struggle. She also said that “with this money, I think I might buy another weighted lap pad. Many of our students have ADHD or anxiety and find it very difficult to calm their body and mind down so they can focus on learning.”  She also intends to purchase the new phonemic‑awareness book “Sounds of Success” and a subscription to a website offering instructional materials for struggling readers.

CalRTA and its local Division 33 remain deeply committed to strengthening public education by advocating for retired educators, supporting active teachers, and investing directly in classrooms through grants like this one. Their ongoing efforts help ensure that students, teachers, and schools across the Hemet–San Jacinto Valley continue to benefit from resources, expertise, and a strong community of educators dedicated to learning. For more information, go to calrta.org.

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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.

March’s students of the month from Hemet Unified School District are Benjamin Barbee, Janeya Gulley, Samantha Calvillo Navarro, Jamyr Pech, and Eddie Villa. San Jacinto Unified honorees for March are Jackie Sanchez Ibarra, Jeremy Morales, and Justin Valladares.

Hemet Unified School District

Benjamin Barbee

Alessandro High School Principal Matthew Centofranchi said Benjamin is no stranger to adversity both in his personal life and his academic career. He said the young man left a deep impression on everyone in his time at Alessandro High School. Welding instructor Joshua O’Neal spoke on behalf of many of Benjamin’s teachers who described him as a student with grit and resilience, someone who asks for help, works through challenges, and continues trying different strategies until he finds success. Benjamin said when his mother passed away during seventh grade, he began to give up on things. “When my junior year came around, my cousin and my papa both also passed away and I felt like I was in the gutters,” he said. He transferred to Alessandro even though he still wanted to drop out of school but found teachers who kept pushing him to do his best. At the start of his senior year, he suffered a head injury in a minibike accident and although this set him back in his schoolwork, he got the support he needed to get back on track. “I went through bad outcomes and I’m getting to the good outcomes,” Benjamin said. He plans to attend trade school and become a diesel technician.

Janeya Gulley

Tahquitz High School Principal Andrew Holmes introduced Janeya as a model scholar and athlete. “We’re very proud that she was the captain of our basketball team and she was one of the all-stars of our inaugural girls flag football team and a big part of the success that team had.” Janeya said when she thinks about her greatest contribution to her family and community, it is being someone others can rely on, encouraging others, and helping create a positive environment. “One of the challenges that I’ve overcome is learning to manage stress, overcome self-doubt, and understand that it is okay to ask for help sometimes,” Janeya said. “One of the most important lessons I will take with me to college is that growth comes from challenges. Every challenge is an opportunity to learn, improve, and become stronger over time. I’ve learned that being determined and open-minded can help you overcome more than you think. In the future, I hope to give back to my community by using my education and career to help others, such as supporting people through mental health challenges, working in health care, or simply being someone who helps others feel heard.” Janeya plans to study psychology and pursue a career in the medical field.

Samantha Calvillo Navarro

West Valley High School Counselor Shannon Vargas said Samantha is the definition of resilience and ambition. She isn’t just finishing high school, she’s launching into her future after successfully completing the rigorous certified nursing assistant program that is newly offered through Hemet Unified School District. “Samantha is an amazing example of why it is a great day to be a Mustang,” Vargas said. A major obstacle Samantha overcame and faced was thinking she was never going to make it through high school. At the start of freshman year, she found it very difficult to adjust to new teachers, their teaching methods, new faces, students, and the environment overall. But after viewing a social media post about sonography, she knew that was the career path she wanted to pursue and began to research what she needed to do to achieve that goal. “A significant life lesson I learned was to accept the value of dedication and failure. In order for good things to happen, you need to be dedicated to putting in the time and effort.” Samantha hopes to become a musculoskeletal sonographer after completing studies at MSJC and Loma Linda University.

Jamyr Pech

Academy of Innovation CTE digital media teacher Keely Bunn described Jamyr as a great example of kindness, perseverance, and integrity. “He’s always willing to help and lend a hand when needed and is so polite,” she said.

Bunn said Jamyr is very passionate about video games and art, which has been wonderful to see especially in the CTE classes. “In CTE we go on many field trips to get the kids out of the classroom and into the real world and Jamyr is always the first to sign up. He loves to go out and experience the world by going to new places and learning new things,” she said. “He has great communication skills, and I have no doubt that it will help him to become a compassionate leader once he graduates.” Jamyr plans to start his next education chapter at Mt. San Jacinto College as a way to explore career options that he would find interesting.

Eddie Villa

Hemet High School Principal Jeff Franks introduced Eddie as a four-year varsity golfer, a four-year mock trial member, and a key member of the math team that competed in the Riverside County math competition and took first place. He is also Hemet High’s valedictorian. Eddie shared that he was born with a small fluid sack in place of where his kidney should have been. “As a result, I ended up as the strange kid who would just sit out from every sport or physical activity with contact because if it were to rupture or leak my death would be very probable; surgery wasn’t really an option either,” Eddie said. Joining Mock Trial made a huge difference and gave him a place where he finally felt seen. “I’ve worked hard as Mock Trial captain to make sure that my teammates feel a part of the community, and I carry that outside of Mock Trial as the golf captain now,” Eddie said. He is also an officer is several clubs on campus including the student run D and D Club where he serves as president. Eddie hopes to attend MIT and then pursue a career in nuclear engineering in order to produce cleaner energy sources.

San Jacinto Unified School District

Jackie Sanchez Ibarra

Mountain View High School’s Independent Study program is Mountain Heights Academy which Jackie enrolled in this past October. “One important lesson I always remind myself is that no matter how hard something may seem or is, if you truly want it and put your mind to it, you can accomplish it,” Jackie said. “Before attending Mountain Heights Academy, I didn’t think I would be able to graduate. School was very difficult for me, and I was always too shy or too embarrassed to ask for help.” Receiving support and encouragement at the school made a huge difference in her academics. “Growing up wasn’t always easy, but I was raised by my hardworking mother and my grandmother who sadly passed away in 2018. My father was in and out of prison until he eventually got deported to Mexico.” She said attending the independent study program allows her flexibility to be there for her family during the rough times. She plans to attend MSJC to take an EMT course and pursue a career as a paramedic. “By becoming a paramedic, I hope to give back to my community by supporting families and individuals during times of crisis,” Jackie said.

Jeremy Morales

San Jacinto High School Principal Lloyd Sheppard said his very first memory of Jeremy was seeing him perform as one of the members of the school’s Ballet Folklorico club as well as with the Mariachi Ensemble. “He is a phenomenal dancer and represents and performs with his group with a lot of pride and precision,” Sheppard said. Jeremy said that for most of his high school years, he worked hard to foster a community in which he was able to lead. “It was a process that was not only strenuous and time consuming but very much worth it,” he said. “I always like to provide guidance and skill to those who want to learn.” Jeremy leads many clubs and serves as president of the Ballet Folklorico, which he has been part of all four years. “The way I see it is the future is clouded in endless amounts of mystery,” he said. “It has taken me years of experience and delegation to finally be able to create an environment where I’m able to really look past today with hints of hope and not just as something to deal with after this day ends.”

Justin Valladares

San Jacinto Leadership Academy custodian David Zamudio said that although he doesn’t interact with Justin in the classroom on an academic level, he does interact with him daily out on the campus. Justin has attended the school since sixth grade. The outstanding senior said Zamudio was an inspiration to him, teaching him how to treat others with respect and kindness. “I would help Mr. David clean up the trash during lunchtime and during SLA Harvest Festival, changing the trash bags and whatever else I could do,” Justin said. “Mr. David always did this work with a smile on his face and creating a sense of community throughout the school. Through this work alongside Mr. David, I grew to learn the importance of creating a sense of community, especially for the students who didn’t feel like they fit in.” He said a difficult life experience was working through his dyslexia and ADHD. “I had a lot of trouble focusing in class, especially with my dyslexia causing me to have trouble in reading and writing,” he said. Receiving assistance from the services available from SLA staff allowed him to boost his academic growth. Justin plans to attend MSJC, followed by firefighter academy.

For more information, www.studentofthemonth.net.

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