Soboba Foundation President Andy Silvas said the annual turkey distribution is one of those events that truly captures what the Soboba Foundation is all about—giving back, supporting families, and strengthening the community.

“I love seeing our team, volunteers, and partners come together to make sure every family can enjoy a warm meal during the holidays,” Silvas said. “It’s more than just turkeys; it’s about connection, gratitude, and caring for one another. The Foundation is proud to continue this tradition of generosity and unity that our Tribe and community has built over the years.”

The Hemet Unified district office parking lot was the site for distribution of 1,000 turkeys on Nov. 19. About 70 volunteers were on hand to welcome recipients, direct traffic and place 20-pound turkeys into vehicles. A combination of HUSD staff, Hemet Police Department members, officers from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department and several Soboba Foundation members helped make the afternoon event run smoothly.

 “So many people play a key role here,” Coordinator of School, Family and Community Partnerships Miriam Ortiz said. “Our Family & Community Outreach Liaisons, Nutrition Services team, Security team, and several other departments who show up on the day of the event are all essential to making this happen.”

San Jacinto Unified set up its drive-through program for its 800 recipients and plenty of volunteers to interact just ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday break. A steady stream of vehicles was guided through the San Jacinto High School stadium parking lot from 3-5 p.m. on Nov. 21. Selected families received a letter informing them that they had been chosen to receive a free frozen turkey thanks to the generosity of the Soboba Foundation.

SJUSD School, Family & Community Liaison Sheila Blythe said site liaisons at the district’s 16 schools were told how many families they could give vouchers to for planning purposes.

An additional 200 turkeys were provided to various nonprofit organizations and food pantries.

Joseph Placencia, a Soboba Tribal member who has volunteered at these events for several years, was elected to the Foundation board earlier this year and serves as secretary. “This time around as an actual board member made things all that more special,” he said. “We have a good group, a good board, we do our duty with some laughs, and great company.” Placencia added that a highlight was seeing the look on people’s faces as they picked up their turkeys, smiling because they have one less worry for the holiday.

Ortiz, who has been at HUSD for nine years, said site liaisons don’t base their choices on income alone. “Site staff are often aware of circumstantial challenges that create hardship,” she said.

“For me, the highlight is seeing how the holiday season brings out the best in our community,” Ortiz said. The volunteers not only shared their time but served with so much joy. Even a few of our former liaisons, who have since transitioned into new roles, came back to help. That kind of continued support is truly special and speaks to their heart for serving families.”

HUSD staff members commented that the event gets more and more organized each year and that plenty of the parents said the line ran very smoothly and it was a quick in-and-out process.

Families who responded to a survey about the event commented, “The coordination was amazing,” “Everything was well organized with everyone kind and in great spirit,” and “I wouldn’t change anything; the staff outside were very pleasant. Thank you for the turkey!”

Another parent appreciated the helpful traffic guards who kept all lanes of traffic orderly and safe. “The inflatable turkey costume was a nice touch, too,” they said, referring to the HUSD staff member who wore an inflatable turkey costume throughout the afternoon.

SJUSD Superintendent David Pyle, who was working the distribution line said, “We are so thankful to the Soboba Foundation for their continued generosity and support of our families.”

Mountain View High School and Mountain Heights Academy Principal Ken Swanson typically volunteers his time directing drivers through the lines. He arrived a little later than usual this year because he was busy delivering a handful of turkeys to families that did not have any transportation to pick up their turkeys.

“I enjoy doing this every year,” Swanson said.

Tribal Council Sergeant-at-Arms and Soboba Foundation Board member Daniel Valdez said, “Volunteering for the turkey distribution each year is something I genuinely look forward to. It’s a chance to connect with our community in a meaningful way and be part of an effort that brings real comfort to families during the holiday season. I believe it’s important for the Soboba Foundation to participate because it reflects our commitment to giving back and supporting families. Highlights for me this year were seeing the excitement on faces; moments like that remind us of why this work matters.”

The Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians allocates funding to the Soboba Foundation for charitable giving purposes that are distributed to various organizations or nonprofit groups. The efforts to achieve the mission and vision of the Soboba Foundation are driven by the commitment and dedication of the Soboba Foundation Board of Directors and staff.

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Student of the Month Committee member Lakshman Koka 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.

September’s students of the month from Hemet Unified School District are Jaysen Arreola, Nevaeh Gray, Charlee Horton, Isaac Montes and Lily Snow. San Jacinto Unified honorees for September are Monique Merendon and Raven Volrie. Edgar Gladin from Noli Indian School was also honored.

Hemet Unified School District

Jaysen Arreola

Hemet High School chose to honor Jaysen as its first Student of the Month. Teacher Laura Brown said after having Jaysen in Honors English as a sophomore, she encouraged him to take AP Research, the highest class offered by the College Board and “he is thriving.” Less than two years ago, Jaysen was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a degenerative autoimmune disease which has no cure. He has to deal with doctors’ appointments for checkups, infusions, medications, tests and much more. “I have to take pills every day and there are times when I feel exhausted and sick and anxious almost to the point of being completing debilitated,” Jaysen said. “However, above all that I feel in a lot of ways my life is so much better. My grades have never been higher, and I feel so involved with my community, my school and family.” He volunteers at the Western Science Center and is treasurer for the Breakfast Club at his school. Jaysen said the accomplishment he is most proud of is the ability to care for her younger brother who is disabled. “The most important thing that I’ve probably learned from all these hardships and responsibilities and my fight to be healthy and happy is this: adaptation to and recovery from difficult situations comes one step at a time, which is kind of cliché but it is very true. He hopes to attend UC Berkeley to major in geology.

Nevaeh Gray

Hamilton High School Principal Kari Sanchez said Nevaeh reminds her of one of her favorite quotes: “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Former teacher and current varsity volleyball coach Lance Fogle said Nevaeh has always been a conscientious learner, cares for the people around her and is very confident in a leadership role. “She prefers to be unnoticed in her serving others but can also step up and out when needed; this is a rare quality,” he said. Nevaeh said she always worked hard in school, not for the rewards but for the knowledge she gained and the pride she gave to her grandparents who raised her. “Their love has been my greatest motivation but what truly defines me is not only academic—it is kindness,” Nevaeh said. “My kindness is not quiet or hidden; it is loud, visible and meant to be shared. I believe kindness has the power to change the atmosphere of a school and even the course of somebody’s life.” She plans to pursue a career in medicine as a traveling nurse to combine her passion for helping people with her dream of seeing the world.

Charlee Horton

Western Center Academy teacher Melanie Thornburg introduced Charlee as a leader on campus who excels academically and as a varsity athlete at her home school, which brings its own challenges because she has to travel. “The hardest thing I ever faced was my dad passing away,” Charlee said. “At first, I didn’t know how to move forward. I had to keep showing up for myself and everyone around me. I had to learn how to balance the grief of my dad passing away and the fragility of my grades. I had to learn how to stay focused on a future I couldn’t even see at the time.” She said her support system got her through it and taught her to reach out and support others. She plans to attend UC Irvine to study criminology to eventually become a lawyer. “A lesson that I will take with me to college, through my career and the rest of my life is to keep moving, even when I think I can’t,” Charlee said.

Isaac Montes

Tahquitz High School Digital Media Academy head Omar Ali has known Isaac since his freshman year, and said it took a while before he came out of shell. The following year, Ali was asked to recruit 30 students for the new Academy and he immediately knew that Isaac would be the best fit for that. He was looking for him to become a leader and ultimately he took to the position. “He controls all media coming out of our school, leading over 100 students in the digital media academy,” Ali said. Isaac said he suffers from hyperhidrosis, excessive sweating, which necessitates him to wear gloves all the time. “But that isn’t necessarily my biggest challenge, which has mostly been communication,” he said. “I’ve struggled with being more open about that.” Isaac said stepping into the leadership role has given him the opportunity to face that and forced him, in a good way, to be more open with everybody. “The biggest lesson is there will always be opportunities,” he said. He said even if you think you missed it, even if you regret not taking advantage of an opportunity, there will always be another chance for that; it’s just a matter of time.

Lily Snow

The Academy of Innovation is an independent study school that chose to honor Lily for September. Math teacher Julie Hoye said Lily was the unanimous nomination among all teachers and is a great representation of the school and what it can offer students. Lily explained that she came to this school by necessity, having suffered a serious ATV accident the summer before she was to begin her freshman year at Hemet High School. Throughout her freshman and sophomore years she underwent 10 surgeries and nine of them were performed on her face which had taken the brunt of the damage. “It was brutal, and it wasn’t just about the surgeries and doctors’ appointments; it was about coming to terms with seeing a different face in the mirror,” Lily said. “It challenged me in ways I didn’t think were possible.” She said that being involved with ASB all four years and serving as president this year has taught her to always lead with purpose.

San Jacinto Unified School District

Monique Merendon

Mountain View High School selected Monique as its Student of the Month. CTE film and media teacher Ron DeGenova explained that as part of an alternative education school, his class is unique in that it emphasizes project-based learning, group project work and collaboration. He said Monique became a role model and leader for other students in the class. “One of the main lessons I’ve learned over time is that there’s always room for improvement no matter the struggles or mistakes you’ve made,” Monique said. “Always be kind, loving and respectful to others and God will be by your side.” She explained that she moved around a lot when she was younger and lived for a while with a mother who was addicted to drugs. She lost her older brother to an overdose, and she and her other siblings were removed from the home. Monique started using drugs herself and ended up in a juvenile detention facility. She has plans to graduate early and do a film production internship at Mt. San Jacinto College. Eventually she hopes to start her own real estate business. “Always have faith in yourself,” she said.

Raven Volrie

San Jacinto High School chose to honor Raven and English teacher Marissa Jensen said the young woman has faced obstacles that could have knocked her off her course but didn’t. She is the manager of the football team and helps with the yearbook. “She is someone who proves that obstacles don’t define us, how we respond to them does,” Jensen said. Raven explained that shortly after her father kicked her out of the house, he died. She was a sophomore at the time. “It was a pain that could’ve broken me but instead it taught me strength and resilience and the importance of never giving up,” Raven said. “I found joy being involved with the school, whether it was through clubs, activities or sports. Each opportunity gave me a chance to grow, not only as a student but as a person.” After high school, she plans to move to Texas to live with her grandfather and pursue her studies to become a medical laboratory technician. “This career path is not just a profession to me—it’s a way to give back to help others and to use my skills to make a real difference in people’s lives,” Raven said. “Every step I have taken has been guided by my faith. Without God in my life I don’t know if I would have had the strength to keep pushing forward.”

Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians

Edgar Gladin 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 85–90-mile radius. He said he feels honored when students such as Edgar make the choice to attend Noli and not a local school closer to their homes. Teacher Jacquelin Phillips has been at Noli for almost two decades and described Edgar as a student who is always striving for success and is very inquisitive, which pushes her as a teacher. After graduation, Edgar plans to take EMT courses and then enter the fire academy. One of the biggest obstacles he has had to overcome is the loss of his dear cousin earlier this year. “A life lesson I will take with me everywhere I go is to never give up—always walk with your head up and your chest out,” Edgar said. “I plan to give back to my community every chance I get, whether that’s by teaching my culture or lending a hand to someone in need.”

For more information, www.studentofthemonth.net.

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San Jacinto Unified School District today announced its policy for serving meals to its enrolled students under the National School Lunch / School Breakfast Programs for the 2024 – 2025 school year. All enrolled SJUSD students will be served breakfast and lunch at no charge at the following sites:

• Megan Cope Elementary
• San Jacinto Elementary
• Juan Bautista De Anza Elementary
• Headstart Preschool
• Jose Antonio Estudillo Elementary
• San Jacinto Leadership Academy
• Edward Hyatt World Language Academy
• Monte Vista Middle School
• Park Hill Elementary
• North Mountain Middle School
• Clayton A. Record Elementary
• Mountain Vide High School
• San Jacinto High School

For additional information, please contact: Nutrition Services at (951) 654-9371

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or 2. fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or 3. email: program.intake@usda.gov

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