It began on Dec. 8 when more than 20 volunteers gathered at the Soboba Springs Golf Course to unpack the truckload of boxed toys delivered from the Walmart Supercenter in Beaumont.

Sponsorship Coordinator Andrew Vallejos said in April, Soboba Foundation members were trying to find a way to make this year’s toy distribution process easier and the Beaumont store stepped up. “They discounted a lot of nice toys and actually gave us more,” he said. “They have been amazing. They were able to just take everything we wanted and send it to their warehouses, have everything separated and distributed. They made everything very easy.”

This is the first year for the Beaumont store to partner with Soboba. Store Lead Julio Ortiz, who has worked at Walmart for 21 years, said it took 10 associates two days to pull the 5,000 toys to fulfill the order that was broken down by age group and gender. It took about three weeks to coordinate everything before the delivery could be made.

Ortiz said other Walmart employees who were instrumental in making this happen were Store Manager Jessica Lewis and Coaches Daniel Lemus and Geovanny Contreras.

During the week of Dec. 8, a team of volunteers met at the Soboba Springs Golf Course to unpack toys that were purchased in bulk from Beaumont’s Walmart Supercenter. It took three days for the team to sort the toys by age groups and designated recipients so their scheduled pickups could be seamless.

“I’d have to say this year a highlight was the amount of volunteer help we had the first day unboxing the toy shipment from Walmart,” Soboba Foundation Secretary Joseph Placencia said. “Not only was it my usual crew, but the Soboba Fire Department and Soboba Department of Parks and Recreation came by to help out. It was nice to see everyone lending a hand and showing they cared.”

At 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 8, at least 150 community volunteers gathered at the San Jacinto Unified School District to participate in the 12^th annual Unstuff the Bus event, presented by the Soboba Foundation. Stefany Curiel is the Family & Community Engagement Specialist at the district’s Parent Center and she explained how the process works. The toys are passed along a human chain that stretches from the parked bus to a warehouse where they stayed until the district hosted their holiday party on Dec. 13 when the toys would be given to those families identified by school site liaisons.

Superintendent David Pyle welcomed everyone and said a few words while awaiting the arrival of the stuffed bus. “I want to give an especially big shout out to our friends from Soboba,” he said. “This event obviously wouldn’t be possible each and every year without them; having their support means so much. This program for our community is just one single reminder about how many ways Soboba gives back to San Jacinto and the whole valley. So, let’s please have a big round of applause for our partners at Soboba. And Happy Holidays to everyone.”

Pyle also noted that each school site shared with their families that the distribution of toys would not have been possible without the support of Soboba. “We are truly grateful for our continued relationship,” he said.

After less than 30 minutes, all 800 toys were sorted and stacked on tables inside the warehouse, and everyone was asked to assemble inside for a group photo.

Soboba Foundation President Andy Silvas acknowledged and thanked all the Soboba Tribal members who were there. “I want to thank all the team members who came out to volunteer to help us give back to the community and to everyone who showed they care for the people of this community. It’s a great event, and I enjoy being here every year.”

Soboba Tribal Council Treasurer and Soboba Foundation Board Member Adona Salgado said, “Attending the toy distribution for the first time was especially meaningful as it coincided with my older sister’s birthday. After celebrating with family and friends, we ended our day by giving back. Witnessing how our Tribe is able to bless others during the holiday season makes my heart happy.”

Early the following morning, Soboba Tribal members and other volunteers were at the Soboba Springs Golf Course once again to meet with selected nonprofits, Tribal organizations and other surrounding Tribes who came by to pick up toys that were allocated for their holiday events.

Haily Perez is a member of the new Aspiring Leaders at Mt. San Jacinto College. She said community service is the goal of the club, and this event was the first opportunity members had to participate. Soboba’s Tara Placencia and several of her family members are steadfast volunteers at many Tribal events and this year was no exception. She said the previous day was the hardest part, having to unpack all the boxes. “Today is fun, seeing all the groups come by to pick up the toys that are being donated to them for the holidays,” Placencia said.

Tribal member Josh Lala stayed busy loading vehicles with toys. He also supports the Kids of Anza nonprofit who received 100 toys for their Dec. 20 party. Executive Director Russell Kitchen said the rural population benefits from the organization’s car shows, food drives, a Valentine’s Day dance, plus Christmas and Easter parties held at different venues in the community. They also sponsor sports and scholarships for the youth. “I like to help out when I can,” Lala said.

The evening of Dec. 10 was when a Soboba bus filled with 1,000 toys arrived at Tahquitz High School to be emptied out by a dedicated team of volunteers. Many students, as well as Hemet Police Department officers and Explorers also pitched in.

HUSD Superintendent Christi Barrett said, “The generosity of the Soboba Foundation makes Unstuff the Bus such a powerful demonstration of our community’s commitment to students. Their support ensures that Hemet Unified students experience the joy of the season through thoughtful gifts and heartfelt generosity. I’m deeply grateful to our partners, families, and especially our students who participate with such energy and heart.”

Miriam Ortiz, Coordinator for the district’s School, Family & Community Partnerships, said most of the toys would be given out at the Christmas Party to be held at Tahquitz High School on Dec. 13 while others were going to the Wellness & Community Outreach Center for its holiday event. Ortiz likes seeing and hearing the families who are so grateful for Soboba’s generosity. She finds these words of gratitude to be powerful, showing the impact this event has on the community. She shared a few comments received after last year’s event. “Thank you so much for supporting my boys. We appreciate you so much.” “We’ve had a very rough year, and you are giving us a much-needed miracle!!” “Thank you for helping me this Christmas, it is truly a blessing. I promise to pay it forward.”

Soboba Foundation Treasurer Dondi Silvas eagerly helped at both district events, riding on the bus and being one of the first in a long line of bucket, or rather toy, brigade participants.

“Being part of the Tribe’s outreach—particularly during the holidays—reminds us how powerful compassion and community can be,” Silvas said. “I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to support these efforts and to help share the spirit of giving that defines our Tribe.”

Vallejos said all events were a lot of fun for those involved and that the buses were unstuffed in record time at both district locations. “Everything has been smooth. You can’t say much more about this except it was perfect,” he said. “It warms my heart to see so many people come out to support this Soboba Gives Back event that provides such a positive impact on the kids in these communities.”

Joseph Placencia said, “For me this event is about knowing that children who might have been going without are going to have a present to open on Christmas.”

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Congressman Raul Ruiz represents District 25 which encompasses all of Imperial County and parts of San Bernardino and Riverside counties, including the cities of Hemet and San Jacinto. Winning artists from his district were announced at an event on April 15 at Sunnylands Center & Gardens in Rancho Mirage and three from the San Jacinto Valley did very well.

“I’ve proudly taken part in the Congressional Art Competition every year since coming to Congress (in 2012),” Ruiz said. “It’s a meaningful way to celebrate the creativity and talent of young people in our district.”

Cassandra De La Rosa was chosen as the overall winner of this year’s contest, among the 60 entrants. The San Jacinto High School sophomore entered last year and earned second place in the freshman category. “Although I didn’t win first place then, I was motivated to try again and now I’m living my ninth-grade self’s dream,” she said.

Her piece, titled, “Are You Lost in The Motion?” was produced using a combination of colored pencils and chalk pastels to create an asymmetrical face that suggests movement. “This motion expresses the feeling of being swept away by the changes in life, representing the chaos of life and how overwhelming it can be. I aimed to evoke emotion in the viewer, making them not just see the motion but feel it as well,” Cassandra said. “I want my artwork to encourage viewers to reflect on their own feelings of being lost or overwhelmed, inviting empathy as people may recognize their own struggles within the piece. The lack of symmetry symbolizes life’s unpredictability. Just as life is rarely perfectly balanced, my piece is a visual metaphor for the complexities and challenges we face.”

SJHS art teacher Nadia Talamantez said she has had the pleasure of working with Cassandra over the past two years. “She is currently in my Draw/Paint II class, where she continues to grow both technically and creatively,” Talamantez said. “Cassandra is a focused and thoughtful artist. Her work shows a level of emotion, depth, and craftsmanship that is rare to see in a student her age. I was incredibly proud to see her earn first place in the Congressional Art Competition. This recognition is a reflection of her hard work, talent, and the genuine passion she brings to her art.”

Cassandra said her teacher is amazing and incredibly supportive. “She inspires us to explore our creativity and express ourselves through our art. Her guidance and encouragement have been crucial in helping me develop my skills,” she said.

The young artist has entered numerous art contests since middle school and has won several awards. “My favorite part of creating art is seeing the finished product and how it all comes together. I love witnessing people’s reactions and hearing their opinions. It is satisfying to know that my work can impact others, allowing me to communicate ideas without words,” Cassandra said. “My favorite genre is surrealism, both to view and to create. I love the freedom that surrealism provides to blend reality with fantasy, allowing my imagination to run wild. It helps me express complex emotions and thoughts that are difficult to put into words.”

Sofia Sy, a senior at Hemet’s Western Center Academy, received an Honorable Mention in her grade division for her acrylic piece titled “Our Modern-Day Superheroes.” She made the painting specifically for the contest, inspired by one of the themes for this year’s competition, which was Hometown Heroes of CA25.

“My art piece celebrates our nation’s modern-day superheroes – those who are our healthcare professionals, police officers, and firefighters – who serve as the backbone and protectors of society,” she said. “This is the first art competition I have ever participated in, and I am beyond grateful to my teachers and friends who approached and encouraged me to take part in it. I’ve never participated in any other art competition since I primarily compete in music and singing competitions, but art and painting have always been another passion and hobby of mine.”

Sofia said her creative outlets have always served as a way for her to express herself and how she feels. “I view art as a creative outlet for me to express my emotions, thoughts, and even experiences in a way that transcends what words can convey,” she said. “I enjoy all art, because all artworks and pieces have their message and story that an artist is trying to tell – and all deserve to be heard and appreciated.”

After high school, Sofia plans to pursue a career in the medical field, where she hopes to become a healthcare physician, dedicating her time and efforts to serving her community and helping those in need.

Tenzing Carvalho, a junior at Western Center Academy, placed second overall for his submission titled, “The Gaze: Portrait of a Hispanic American Boy.”

Cassandra said attending the event was an amazing experience. “My favorite moment was discovering I won first place. I was completely surprised when everyone congratulated me, and seeing my drawing with the first-place tag was surreal,” she said.

Sofia said one of the main highlights of attending the event was the ability to share her artistic insights and the story behind her artwork with Congressman Ruiz, as well as being recognized and awarded for her work.

“This year’s entries were inspiring, and I congratulate all the students who participated, especially our winners,” Ruiz said. “Your art brings our communities to life and reminds us of the power of self-expression. I can’t wait to see your art displayed in the halls of Congress.”

The winning artwork will hang in the Cannon Tunnel of the U.S. Capitol for one year. The tunnel is the most highly traveled access point between the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Capitol. Every day, members of Congress, distinguished visitors, and tens of thousands of tourists – from the United States and abroad – walk through the tunnel and admire the artwork.

Ariana Orne contributed to this article.

The post Local artists recognized at Congressional Art Competition appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

The Hemet/San Jacinto Student of the Month program held its most recent recognition breakfast at the Soboba Casino Resort Event Center on Nov. 16. Seven local high school seniors were recognized and honored for their character, love of learning and commitment to academics in addition to their involvement in school and community activities and their ability to overcome difficult life circumstances. And they do this all in a setting that honors God, country, family, community and free enterprise. Students are nominated by teachers or other school personnel for making a difference in their homes, schools and communities.

Local program founder and event facilitator Karena Zermeno also represents one of the sponsors, Altura Credit Union. Backpacks filled with gifts, a Student of the Month award, certificates of recognition and much more were donated by community sponsors to the award recipients. Each student was invited to the podium to share their personal story, past 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 schools are Trillis Payne, Rhianna Salazar, Isaiah Suso, Rey Urtiz and Luke Wright. San Jacinto Unified’s honorees for November are Sahid Aguilar and Sunshine Alvarado.

Hemet Unified School District

Trillis Payne

West Valley High School Principal Gerardo Zavala said Trillis was chosen to be recognized for excelling at building connections and establishing meaningful relationships with his peers which has led to him being one of the most well-liked students on campus. Football head coach Brent Perez said Trillis contributes to West Valley on and off the football field. He said the senior demonstrated the power of improvement through perseverance after he had to suspend him from the football program in his junior year. After five months of no contact, Perez felt it was time to reconcile and realized that he was the same as Trillis at one point and everyone deserved the power of a fresh start. This year, Trillis became team captain, but Perez said it is not the title but the influence he has on his teammates that shows how far he has come. Trillis has been accepted to North Arizona University and will pursue his dream of becoming a judge while playing football at the Division 1 school and then attending law school. “My biggest contribution to my school is being a campus leader and helping the younger students,” Trillis said. “About two years ago, when I was a sophomore, I was a kid that teachers didn’t like. I was like a messed-up kid to everybody. That made me want to do better.” He said he learned that if you don’t make smart decisions, you can’t get smart results.

Rhianna Salazar

Tahquitz High School recognized Rhianna in November for being a humble example of what it means to overcome, persevere and embrace change and improvement in one’s life. Jeff Prickett, who teaches math, physical education and AVID and served as Rhianna’s mentor while she was a Teaching Assistant for him, said he was impressed that she had turned her life around, allowing herself to be guided by peers to stay on a solid path. Prickett said, “The life she led before was not the life she wanted to define her in the future.” Rhianna said her greatest contribution to her school is that she is an active student, playing volleyball, soccer and being on the track team and participating in AVID and ASB. She plans to major in medicine to become an anesthesiologist. “One challenge I have overcome in the past is not letting difficult challenges identify who I am,” she said. “I am someone who was misjudged because I tried to carry myself in a way that may be more mature than some of my peers. Rhianna has suffered the loss of dear family members to drugs and illness and was most upset hearing the sorrow of her mother after her grandmother passed away and knowing there was no way she could help her. “I think the most significant life lesson I can take with me going into college is that when bad things happen to not let them keep me down. I need to realize that everything is a learning and experience,” Rhianna said.

Isaiah Suso

The Western Center Academy singled out Isaiah and Executive Director Paul Bailey said he appreciated the opportunity to share the words of nominating teacher Benjamin Brandt, who was unable to attend. “He has demonstrated such amazing character that not only does every staff member highly respect him but so does every student who knows him,” Brandt wrote. Last year, the student body awarded Isaiah with the Top Gentleman of Western Center Academy. Brandt said he is always building up his classmates and has learned how to share his opinions while treating others with the dignity they deserve. His mother, Holly Suso, said, “The past 18 months have been very challenging for our household. We have had a series of unfortunate events, starting with the loss of Isaiah’s cherished fur baby.” Due to layoffs in the tech sector, Holly has been unemployed for the past nine months and that subsequently led to the family losing their home. “Through it all, I’ve watched Isaiah persevere and somehow make a way out of no way,” Holly said, adding that despite an inadequate work/study space, he has excelled in numerous AP, Honors and college courses. He has risen through the ranks of AF JROTC and has a 4.5 GPA. He recently attended Boys State to represent Hemet and the Western Center Academy. Isaiah said, “This year has been a greater test of my academic performance than all the years I’ve been alive and admittedly a greater test of my willpower.” He said after the financial hardship his family began to face, new stressors began to emerge which “made up the largest mountain I have ever needed to climb in my life.” He said it became difficult to balance the stress of home life and school life, which already had its own stressors. “But one thing worse than being trampled by hard times is your human conviction being extinguished,” Isaiah said. “I choose to keep moving forward so that one day I can tell the next kid who’s going through the same thing what the other side of the mountain looks like.”

Rey Urtiz

Hamilton High School Counselor Jason Sonnier welcomed CTE teacher Louie Vega to the podium to speak about the student he nominated for this month’s award. Vega said that during his two years in the construction program, Rey has displayed a hunger for knowledge and is always ahead on projects. He said Rey is patient and challenges other students, adding that he thinks with those attributes Rey should consider becoming a teacher. Rey said, “What I believe is the greatest thing I do for my friends and family is talk to them because communication is one thing that we all should do but we do not do enough.” He said back when he was shy and didn’t talk with others he felt as if no one cared about him so he challenged himself to just talk to everyone he could. He said that is the greatest life lesson he learned and encouraged others to communicate more. “Even if it’s just for a minute, you will make people feel like they’re appreciated,” Rey said. His future career plans are to be a megatronics engineer, which is an integration of multiple technologies to create mechatronic systems that can perform complex tasks autonomously.

Luke Wright

Hemet High School’s top choice this month is Luke and principal Jeff Franks said he is an “amazing example of how to learn to adapt and dominate.” With a 4.3 Grade Point Average, his math teacher Kristin DeWit explained how Luke recently moved here from London, England. “Besides being a knowledge seeking, outstanding math student, he is the most polite student that perhaps I have ever taught,” she said. Luke has lived in seven different countries, learning multiple languages. Luke thanked many supporters including his parents “for being my pillars of strength, embodying the values of resilience and determination to me.” He went on to say, “As a child, I had the unique opportunity to travel to various countries with each experience being very different from the last.” He said the constant moves and need to repeatedly sever and build connections left a lasting impression on him emotionally but instilled in him the importance of living in the moment. Luke said each move brought new curriculums and cultural nuances. In June, after his parents divorced, Luke moved to California with a mixture of excitement and a deep ache for the bonds he had to leave behind. “The challenges were different but the resilience I acquired from my earlier experiences became my guiding light,” he said. He was able to overcome cultural barriers and gain respect and understanding for different cultures. He is aiming to major in computer science at college with a minor in foreign language as he believes that through language “we can connect with other people on a greater level.”

San Jacinto Unified School District

Sahid Aguilar

San Jacinto High School chose to honor Sahid, a straight-A student who has earned a 4.5 GPA while taking multiple Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and MSJC dual-enrollment courses. Activities Director and San Jacinto High School alumna Danielle Powell described him by saying, “Sahid is a phenomenal student who possesses a steely determination and takes on any challenges that come his way.” She shared that he is part of the WorkAbility I Program and has paid work experience from the SJUSD IT department setting up new Chromebooks for students at district schools. Last summer he went to Sacramento as a participant in the California Youth Leadership Program sponsored by the California Department of Rehabilitation. He also tutors UCR students in math. “Sahid, you are an amazing student and we are very proud of you and your accomplishments,” Powell said before introducing Instructional Aide Lora Wood, who nominated him and has worked with him since he was in seventh grade at North Mountain Middle School. “I’ve seen him overcome quite a bit,” she said. Sahid said, “My life evidently has not been a normal one. I was born with a rare genetic condition known as Freeman-Sheldon Syndrome. Out of eight billion people on this planet, only 200 share this experience and it’s been a challenging one.

I’ve had a plethora of surgeries since birth.” He said that through it all, he has found the power to persevere and thanks God for that power. “I don’t let it get to me,” Sahid said. “I think of myself as a normal person.” After a major surgery in the summer of 2019 caused him to miss his entire eighth grade of in-person schooling, the onset of the pandemic led to a second year of isolation. “Again, through it all, I found the power to persevere and I think that’s something we all need to learn and know that things will get better,” he said. “Take me for example. My parents were told at my birth that I would never walk and 17 years later, I walked up here to give my speech today.”

Sunshine Alvarado

Mountain Heights Academy’s Sunshine was nominated by teacher Sarah Heritage, who said the outstanding senior has overcome personal struggles of depression and self-doubt. She said to her, “I always knew you could do it Sunshine and I’m glad I was able to help encourage you to see the best in yourself and realize you could do anything. I always want you to remember that the path you take is less important than the journey and your final destination.” Sunshine said she believes her greatest contribution to her family and community is how sympathetic and emotional she is. “Being compassionate is one of the biggest contributions you can give and receive. It is something I have always looked for in others,” she said. She shared a favorite quote of hers from Mother Teresa that states, “Never be so busy as not to think of others.” Sunshine said a major challenge in her life has been overcoming trauma from a young age that led to the self-doubt she continues to struggle with today, with depression being a huge part of it. This led to her being unable to attend school on a regular basis, causing her to fall behind. “The most significant life lesson I will take with me is to never give up,” Sunshine said. “I realize now there is always time to change and start over and be a better you.”

For more information, www.studentofthemonth.net.

Find your latest news here at the Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle

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

The Hemet/San Jacinto Student of the Month program held its most recent recognition breakfast at the Maze Stone at Soboba Springs Golf Course on Oct. 26. Seven local high school seniors were recognized and honored for their character, love of learning and commitment to academics in addition to their involvement in school and community activities and their ability to overcome difficult life circumstances. And they do this all in a setting that honors God, country, family, community and free enterprise. Students are nominated by teachers or other school personnel for making a difference in their homes, schools and communities.

Local program founder and event facilitator Karena Zermeno also represents one of the sponsors, Altura Credit Union. Backpacks filled with gifts, a Student of the Month award, certificates of recognition and much more were donated by the program’s sponsors to the award recipients. Each student was invited to the podium to share their personal story, past 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 schools are Brooke Benford, Olivia Lopez, Daniel Mendoza, Ubaldo Puente and Isabella Rivera. San Jacinto Unified’s honorees for October are Melissa Jimenez and Joshua Ramirez.

Hemet Unified School District

Brooke Benford

West Valley High School selected Brooke to be recognized this month for being an outstanding leader who exhibits a positive energy on campus. She is a spirit commissioner for student assemblies alongside her brother, a member of the dance and cheer teams and a leading actress for the theater department. She is also an International Baccalaureate student whose favorite subject is English. Her teacher Shereen Johnson said she was always willing and able to assist in the classroom and she appreciated Brooke’s commitment to excellence. Brooke said, “When you look at me from the outside I seem like a very happy kid and my extracurricular activities and my social skills make me seem like a bright light that shines on everything within my radius.” She then shared that she has suffered from clinical depression and anxiety since the age of 12 and was suicidal when she was in eighth grade. After embracing professional help from a counselor therapist, Brooke was able to become more productive in high school. She plans to be a forensic psychologist to “lend a listening ear to those who need it and a helping hand to those who are reaching out.” After thanking all the sponsors of the Student of the Month event and congratulating her peers on being recognized this month, she addressed the staff at West Valley and said, “Teachers and coaches can change lives and you guys have definitely changed mine for the better.”

Olivia Lopez

Hamilton High School Principal Kari Sanchez proudly introduced Olivia, a student she has known since toddlerhood growing up in the community. Her nominating teacher, Mary Kleinvachter, said the active senior stays busy with Advanced Placement and CTE classes, athletics, leadership positions with many clubs and community service. She was also recognized by the College Board’s National Hispanic Recognition Program for her strong academic performance and high assessment scores. “I enjoy volunteering with From the Heart,” Olivia said. “I love seeing the positive impact this organization has on our small town.” She plans to major in civil engineering or something else within the STEM field. As a standout on her school’s CIF wrestling team, a shoulder injury during her sophomore year that sidelined her was devastating. Olivia said she started to feel selfish that she worried so much about this when there were people dealing with much more difficult problems. She felt she should be grateful for all the good things and opportunities she had. Something she learned during this time that she will take to college is, “God gave me this day and I can either use it for good or waste it. This quote speaks to me by reminding me that God gave us each day as a gift and it’s up to us to make the most of it,” Olivia said.

Daniel Mendoza

Hemet High School’s top choice this month is Daniel, who at the end of his senior year will be a three-sport, four-year athlete. Principal Jeff Franks said he maintains a 3.6 GPA through dedication and hard work. His nominating teacher, BJ Edwards, said Daniel leads by example and is positive for the culture of the campus. “He has integrity as a student and athlete,” he said, adding that his “favorite thing about Danny isn’t just his academics or the effort he puts into school every day but that he is a good human.” Daniel said his father is his number one fan who pushes him every day to be the best version of himself. He has played sports since the age of four. “I try to bring all the school spirit I can; I always try to bring people together and keep a positive attitude,” he said. “The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that nothing in life is handed to you, you have to go get it yourself.” Daniel hopes to play football at the college level while studying kinesiology in pursuit of a career as a physical education teacher. “After seeing a lot of the teachers and staff that work at our school, I’ve decided I do want to be a teacher,” he said.

Ubaldo Puente

Tahquitz High School recognized Ubaldo in October for his uncanny ability to make connections with adults and other students. He was nominated by multiple teachers who had many good things to say about him such as being a true Titan who is creative and spirited, someone who takes initiative, is a natural born leader and always lends a helping hand. Ubaldo, also known as Junior, is ASB treasurer, emcees student assemblies, serves as the baseball team’s manager and is school site council president. He admitted to having conquered a “multitude of obstacles” in recent years and shared a favorite quote: “No matter how far you get in life, never forget the passion that got you there.” Ubaldo’s dream school is the University of Utah where he hopes to study for a career as an accountant or actuary. His future plans also include opening a community food pantry.

Isabella Rivera

Alessandro High School singled out Isabella for her level of maturity and positivity. Her nominating teacher, Lee Clark, said Isabella is a well-spoken and altruistic young woman who seldom let the trauma of her life overwhelm her as she moved to several states as a pre-teen, caring for her younger sister in every way possible. Isabella said when her parents finally got clean from their addictions, things improved but she still carries scars from the past experiences that resulted from her having to grow up way too young. Losing an older cousin to suicide was the catalyst that made her so resilient and pushed her to move forward. “A significant life lesson I will take with me is that everything is changing; nothing is permanent. Success is limitless and it begins with your imagination,” she said. Isabella plans to be a criminal justice major in college with aspirations to become an attorney.

San Jacinto Unified School District

Melissa Jimenez

Mountain View High School’s Melissa was nominated by counselor Justin Ryan who said she stands out for a lot of reasons. She is very self-aware but not self-centered, he said, adding that whenever there is an opportunity to serve, Melissa is always the first person to sign up. Melissa is a voting member of the school site council. “Being at Mountain View for a year and a few months has truly helped me in many ways, from daily challenges that will prepare me for adult life to basic daily responsibilities,” she said. After ending a 10-month long abusive relationship that had caused her to become depressed, Melissa said the situation taught her some valuable lessons and she has moved on from the emotional toll it took on her. She is on track to graduate in January and plans to attend High Desert Medical College’s two-year program to become an OB/GYN ultrasound technician.

Joshua Ramirez

San Jacinto High School chose to honor Joshua for being a genuinely good-hearted person. His former teacher Jesse Spriggs said Joshua’s service to the community impacts many. Two years ago, he was instrumental in organizing the student-led Tiger Den benevolence closet on campus, a place where students who have minimal amenities and necessities like clothing, shoes and hygiene products can go and privately get what they need. It has been visited by more than 60 SJHS students. Under his leadership, the district’s two middle schools have developed their own benevolence closets. Spriggs said he is moved by a Native American proverb that sums up Joshua, “Blessed is he who plants trees under whose shade he will never sit.” Joshua’s teacher Niki Gray said his thoughtfulness for others always warms her heart and that a C.S. Lewis quote reminds her of Joshua, “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less.” Joshua said becoming manager of the Tiger Den was a great opportunity for him to give back to his community. “My parents provided the best even when circumstances weren’t always in our favor,” he said. “My older siblings shared with me the hardships they faced in the past.” Joshua said that even though he feels like in a way he has already impacted his community, he is not done yet. “I feel like this is just the beginning,” he said. “My end goal is to create a community where everyone is thriving, and everyone feels empowered.”

Closing remarks

Karena Zermeno said it was obvious that all of the students represented at the breakfast have so much love for others. San Jacinto Unified School District Superintendent David Pyle said the theme he heard emerge among the seniors being honored was the concept of change. “It’s very fitting that the weather is changing outside,” he said. “While a lot of things change, there are a lot of things that don’t change and those are empathy, character and selflessness, which today’s students represented.”

For more information, www.studentofthemonth.net.

Find your latest news here at the Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle

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

The Hemet/San Jacinto Student of the Month program held its first recognition breakfast of the 2023-2024 school year at the Maze Stone at Soboba Springs Golf Course on Sept. 14. Seven local high school seniors were recognized and honored for their character, love of learning and commitment to academics in addition to their involvement in school and community activities and their ability to overcome difficult life circumstances. And they do this all in a setting that honors God, our country, family, community and free enterprise. Students are nominated by teachers or other school personnel for making a difference in their homes, schools and communities.

Local program founder and event facilitator Karena Zermeno also represents one of the sponsors, Altura Credit Union. Backpacks filled with gifts, a Student of the Month award, certificates of recognition and much more were donated by the program’s sponsors to the award recipients. “Thank you to all the sponsors and volunteers who make this program successful each month,” Zermeno said. “And thank you to our students who share their stories and leave us humbled and motivated to do better each day.”

Each student was invited to the podium to share their personal story, past 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 schools are Mason Dunn, Bailey Easley, Kai Loera, Diana Ramirez and Kevin Smith. San Jacinto Unified’s honorees for September are Camila Carmona and Kelis Hernandez.

Hemet Unified School District

Mason Dunn

Hamilton High School selected Mason to be recognized as an outstanding Bobcat who successfully overcame some educational challenges to become a straight A student. Principal Kari Sanchez said Mason is a “light wherever he goes.” His nominating teacher said Mason “does everything with gusto and enthusiasm.” Further, the meaning of his name indicates a builder and he said the senior “builds himself up and others.” Mason believes his greatest contribution to his school is his involvement in the National Honor Society and its numerous projects. He plans to attend Northern Arizona University to major in computer science with an emphasis on programming or building computers. He has prepared a seven-page to-do list of things he needs to do before he goes off to college. “The most significant life lesson I’ve learned is to always be aware,” he said.

Bailey Easley

Hemet High School chose Bailey for her “stoic humility, grace and peace” as pointed out by teacher Allen Kruse. “We all tend to struggle with life-changing and life-altering tragedies,” he said. “Bailey has been able to take her loss and make it a point of effort for her not just to honor her father but to be the best version of herself that she can be.” Bailey shared that her father died five days after she turned 15, when she was just a freshman. A U.S. Marine veteran, she plans to follow in his footsteps and serve her country in the military after earning a degree in exercise physiology at Northern Arizona University. She carries a 4.3 GPA and is active on the cross-country and track teams. “Standing beside my dad’s headstone, my grandpa taught me how to get rid of the weeds and only look at the flowers in my garden,” Bailey said.

Kai Loera

West Valley High School’s top choice this month is Kai, who was cited as being well liked and respected among his peers. He is enrolled in the International Baccalaureate program, serving as IB president and plays varsity volleyball. Before introducing Kai, IB math teacher Frank Urquiza addressed all the students. “My encouragement to you is don’t forget where you came from and the things that you’ve already accomplished,” he said. “You all have a story to tell and make sure you share it with as many people as you can because you are all great students.” He went on to say that Kai can balance life with his academics/education, being involved with sports and clubs on campus and extracurricular activities. As a junior, he received the College Board’s National Hispanic Recognition Award. Urquiza said, “He’s quiet in spirit but full of life.” Kai’s dream school choices are Harvard or Cornell where he plans to study computer science to become a programmer. “When I was younger, an issue I had was learning how to read in elementary school and it put me behind everyone else in my class. My parents allowed me to go at my own pace and practiced with me at home,” he said. “Now I’m at the top of my class and Student of the Month. The most significant life lesson that I will take with me to college is that it doesn’t matter how good you do, it matters that you try your best and hardest to do it.”

Diana Ramirez

Tahquitz High School recognized Diana for September and her volleyball coach Art Zambrano said she “has a passion for learning in the classroom and on the volleyball court.” Diana shared that she has spent many years in therapy due to many challenges such as losing her father at a young age, surrounding herself with people who were not good influences and using poor coping mechanisms to help her get through life. “The me of two years ago never would have believed I would receive this award. I couldn’t be prouder of myself,” Diana said. “No matter what I went through, I never let it define me in a negative way.”

Kevin Smith

The Academy of Innovation singled out Kevin as its first Student of the Month for the new school year. The school is part of a rotation with other small, specialized HUSD schools so they only have two opportunities each school year to honor their outstanding students. “Kevin was an easy choice,” his Spanish teacher said. “He’s a teacher’s dream and I’m so proud of the accomplishments he’s made in his educational career.” Kevin said he has faced numerous challenges during his academic journey, including the loss of loved ones and a fear of academic failure. “With the help of friends and family, I was able to see these challenges as opportunities for growth and the drive to always be better,” he said. Kevin plans to attend UC, Riverside as a business or computer science major. “My road to college is not limited to academics. To prepare myself for this new challenge, I have learned to be adaptive, resilient and self-confident so I can face any challenge that comes my way,” he said. “To my fellow students I’d like to encourage you to face each obstacle as an opportunity to do better and remember, the next step after failure is greatness.”

San Jacinto Unified School District

Camila Carmona

San Jacinto High School’s Camila was nominated by several teachers and principal Kristi Coulter shared what one of them wrote about the young student. As its current president and a leader with the LINK Crew program for two years, they said Camila has built an excellent rapport with her designated freshmen and has become a great asset to the program, always going over and beyond. She is also active with the school’s swim and water polo teams, marching band, various clubs and takes Advanced Placement courses. Band Director Patrick Harris said Camila is woodwind captain and helps tutor band students to help them keep their grades up and supports them in many other ways. “Helping people is the way I show my love and gratitude to those who have done so much for me,” Camila said. She aspires to become an OB/GYN doctor, stating, “A goal without a plan is just a dream.” She is accustomed to staying busy and has always filled up her days with extracurricular activities and supporting her brothers in their sports endeavors. “I always found a busy schedule normal and hated summers because my life would be so calm,” she said. Her mother added that despite some health issues, Camila never missed a day of school.

Kelis Hernandez

Mountain View High School chose to honor Kelis, who didn’t let becoming a teen mother disrupt her educational goals. “My greatest contributions are centered around my family and being the best role model I can be for my son and for my brothers. I also like to motivate others,” she said. Kelis plans to become a registered nurse and eventually a travel nurse after attending Mt. San Jacinto Community College and then transferring to Cal State, San Bernardino. “In my past and present I have been harmed by others and I’ve felt the pressure of motherhood stressful but it’s motivated me the most. Being a mom has taught me patience and responsibility but most of all that no matter what road you take – the straight one or the long, winding one – you can still reach your dreams. The lesson I will take with me to college is that hard times should never be the reason you hold back on your dreams – it should push you to where you want to go. I want to inspire the class of 2024 to do what you love and do it great.”

Closing remarks

This month’s program began and ended on a somber note as the passing of Tahquitz High School Principal Kari McGowan was announced and acknowledged with a moment of silence by San Jacinto Assembly of God Pastor Jeff Johnson and remembered with final words by HUSD Superintendent Christi Barrett. “I cannot help but feel the absence of someone who embodied the spirit of community; someone whose smile could light up not just a room but an entire school site,” Barrett said. “Yesterday, we received the sad news that Dr. McGowan passed away suddenly from an unexpected health condition. This news has left a mark on our hearts and on our schools. Dr. McGowan was a true champion of school spirit and a prime example of the sense of togetherness that defines our communities. Her unwavering commitment to our students and her infectious enthusiasm for education set a remarkable example for all of us. Today, as we gather to honor the outstanding achievements of our students of the month, let us remember that each one of these exceptional young individuals represents the future that Dr. McGowan was so passionate about. In their accomplishments, we see the potential of our districts and in their dedication to excellence we carry forward the legacy of Dr. Kari McGowan.”

For more information, www.studentofthemonth.net.

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

The Hemet/San Jacinto Student of the Month program held its recognition breakfasts from September through March. Each school’s honoree was eligible to apply for Student of the Year for their site. All recognized students were invited to a Night of the Stars scholarship award dinner at the Soboba Casino Resort Event Center on May 17.

Nearly 400 guests filled the room as students and their families, teachers, sponsors, educators and many supporters anxiously awaited the announcement of the seven Student of the Year winners who each received a $2,000 scholarship. Additionally, seven individual scholarships of $500 each were presented by various community members, nonprofit organizations and businesses. All students received a $100 gift card.

Program founder and event hostess Karena Zermeno also represents one of the sponsors, Altura Credit Union. She welcomed everyone to the event and said as the program concludes its tenth year, she wanted to take the opportunity to acknowledge the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians, Soboba Trial Council and Soboba Foundation “for supporting us from day one; they have been our biggest supporters.” She said that many of the schools, businesses and nonprofits represented at the event have also benefited from their support. “We know that the pillar of our community is Soboba,” Zermeno said.

She reminded those in attendance that the Student of the Month program honors local high school seniors for demonstrating character, integrity, love of learning and involvement in school activities, athletics and community service. “We recognize students who have overcome challenging life circumstances without compromising their education. These are students who makes a difference in their home, school and community with sincerity and passion,” Zermeno said. “There is no greater example of overcoming challenging life circumstances than the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians and yet they selflessly give to this entire valley and are so passionate about it; it truly comes from the heart.”

She addressed the Soboba Tribal Council and Soboba Foundation members who were present by saying, “Because of your generosity of not only the financial support but the appointment of our Student of the Month Committee member Andrew Vallejos (who is the Foundation’s sponsorship and higher education program coordinator), we were able to start this program and build upon it each year.”

After the final breakfast in March, each Student of the Month was encouraged to complete an application to be considered as the Class of 2023 Student of the Year for their school site, resulting in seven honorees. The Academy of Innovation, Alessandro High School and Western Center Academy are under the umbrella of Hemet Options schools and attend twice per year each. One student out of all three schools is chosen for Student of the Year.

The evening was reminiscent of awards ceremonies such as the Oscars and the Grammys since the results were not revealed in advance. A short video clip of each student’s speech from when they were honored during their month was played before announcing the winner for each school.

Hemet Unified School District’s Student of the Year honorees are Issabella Castaneda, Valerie Flores, Enrique Martinez, Alexander Nahsohn and Eliana Parts Fragata. Those honored from San Jacinto Unified School District are Desiree Herrera and Christina Mehlman.

Issabella Castaneda

As Student of the Month in December for Tahquitz High School, Issabella will pursue a career as an MRI technician. She said the most significant life lesson she will take with her to college is to “cherish everyone around me and love them as if it’s the last day on earth because tomorrow is never promised. Show your love and be the light in someone’s life. Let there be more love than pain and hurt. Count your blessings and be grateful for everything.”

Valerie Flores

Academy of Innovation’s January Student of the Month Valerie plans to attend California State University, Channel Islands in Camarillo. She is interested in art and sees herself likely being associated with it in some way in the future. “A significant life lesson I’ve learned is to rely on myself and trust myself,” Valerie said. “I want to be a highlight in the life of people, leaving a positive impression and fond memory for them to carry through their day.”

Desiree Herrera

Mountain View High School/Mountain Heights Academy singled out Desiree in March. She has chosen to attend Mt. San Jacinto College for a year and then transfer to La Sierra University, which is her dream college. There she hopes to study criminal justice to become a special victims unit detective. A life lesson she will carry with her to college is believing that she can accomplish anything she puts her mind to and just believing in herself.

Enrique Martinez

November’s Student of the Month at Hemet High School was Enrique. He plans to pursue his passion for computer science at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and hopefully secure a career at a top tech company in the future. “Your experiences make you who you are,” Enrique said, adding that his personal experiences have taught him that life isn’t promised to anyone.

Christina Mehlman

San Jacinto High School honored Christina in February. She plans to attend California Baptist University to study psychology. Acknowledged for her courage and willingness to make it her mission to provide hope for others, she has been described as being generous, patient, kind, faithful and committed.

Alexander Nahsohn

Alexander was November’s choice from Hamilton High School. He plans to pursue a career in psychology or as a therapist to help others get past a traumatic experience. As a 10-year member of Boy Scouts of America, Alexander said he learned life skills such as patience, persistence and confidence and has been able to teach those skills to younger Scouts.

Eliana Parts Fragata

West Valley High School selected Eliana in December. She plans to attend UC, San Diego where she will double major in biomedical engineering and mathematics. “From a young age, I’ve always known that I wanted to change the world,” Eliana said. “My childhood was rocky at times, and I’ve had my fair share of challenges but I’m not going to focus on them.”

Individual scholarships were presented to students who were chosen for their ability to meet the criteria set by the community members, organizations or businesses who sponsored the awards. The name of each scholarship is followed by the name of the student, their school and the month they were selected as Student of the Month. Adanesne Carrasco Soto Memorial Scholarship: Kylie Wallace, Hemet High School, September; Dr. Koka & Family Medical Scholarship: Michelle Rodriguez, Mountain View/Mountain Heights, February; Daniel Lopez Jr. Memorial Scholarship: Blade Davalos, Alessandro High, October; M.A.L.H.Y. Alessandra “Ale” Ruotolo Memorial Scholarship: Kaitlyn Turner, West Valley High, March; Marie Quandt Memorial Scholarship: Troy Oloa, San Jacinto High, October; Sizzler/BMW Management Scholarship: Isabelle Lee, Hamilton High, January; and the Cassi Tichy Memorial Scholarship: Sierra Evans Hamilton, Tahquitz High, November.

For more information, www.studentofthemonth.net.

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The post San Jacinto Valley students receive Student of the Year honors appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

The Hemet/San Jacinto Student of the Month program held its final recognition breakfast of the current school year at the Maze Stone at Soboba Springs Golf Course, March 16. Seven local high school seniors were recognized and honored for their character, love of learning and commitment to academics in addition to their involvement in school and community activities and their ability to overcome difficult life challenges. And they do this all in a setting that honors God, America, family, community and free enterprise. Students are nominated by teachers or other school personnel for making a difference in their homes, schools and communities.

Program founder and event facilitator Karena Zermeno also represents one of the sponsors, Altura Credit Union. Backpacks filled with gifts, a Student of the Month award, certificates of recognition and much more were donated by the program’s sponsors to the award recipients. Each student was invited to the podium to share their personal story, past 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 schools are Cataryna Acevedo. Sean Fuentes, Kevin Perales, Kaitlyn Turner and Salem Walsh. San Jacinto Unified’s honorees for March are Desiree Herrera and Soowut Rodriguez.

Hemet Unified School District

Cataryna Acevedo

Hamilton High School selected Cataryna to be recognized as an outstanding Bobcat who has been with ASB all four years, is a three-sport athlete and is someone who cares deeply about her fellow students. She helped create the Multicultural Club on campus because she wanted everyone to feel supported and welcomed. Her art teacher Rose Fickes said, “Cataryna is very inspired by creativity” and is a helper and leader in the classroom. Getting ready for the ceremony, Cataryna said she realized some things about herself that she had never really thought about before. “I realize I help my community and school in many ways. Gandhi once said ‘the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others’ but I didn’t always feel as I do today.” Cataryna said the death of her grandfather from COVID-19 left her broken-hearted and low-spirited. “I lost all focus and motivation for school and sports,” she said. “I was mentally not okay, and I wasn’t taking school seriously.” She used the summer to work on herself and started her senior year with a better outlook but was still worried. On her first day of classes when she entered her third period art class, she felt “kid-joy” instantly. The class, and Ms.. Fickes, helped Cataryna cope with her problems and emotions. She plans to pursue a career as a licensed esthetician and continue to volunteer at her church.

Sean Fuentes

Western Center Academy singled out Sean for the impact he has had on people. Executive Director Paul Bailey said he serves as a barometer on campus and his counselor Sandy Arave agreed. She explained that Sean was a successful student since starting at WCA in sixth grade but struggled with online learning during the pandemic. Arave said Sean only earned 20 credits in his sophomore year and there was nothing she could do from behind her computer screen to motivate him. In his junior year, Sean arrived with a better attitude and set out to undo the previous year. By his senior year, he was back on track, serving as a true example of what determination can do; he never gave up. Sean said the inability to interact with classmates during the lockdown blocked him mentally and prevented him from doing what he wanted and needed to do at school. “I thought of myself as almost a failure that year,” he said about not being motivated to participate in school during this time. “I would be the first person in my family to go to college and that one year almost ruined my whole life.” He credits his counselor, Ms. Arave, as being his savior during that time, helping him turn things around. After attending MSJC for a year, Sean would like to transfer to UCR to study mechanical engineering so he can help design cars in the future.

Kevin Perales

Tahquitz High School’s top choice this month was Kevin. Principal Kari McGowan said that he is “kind of a legend” at the school, and she puts him in the same category with people such as Prince, Madonna and Cher, who are known by one name. “Because when you say Kevin, everyone knows who you are talking about,” she said. “When I told numerous colleagues that Kevin was our student of the month, everyone smiled.” He saw a need in ASB and instead of criticizing, he created a solution. Activities Director Lee Jones said, “My philosophy is that if you have suggestions, you can pitch them to the (ASB) class and you can help make them happen. Kevin accepted that challenge and started helping with announcements. He volunteered to take on projects. Other students looked forward to his input and direction.” Kevin said that growing up with immigrant parents that came here from Mexico with nothing was difficult. “My parents inspired me to become the best version of myself and gave my sister and me everything. On June 1, I’ll be the first person in my family to graduate from high school.” Kevin is captain of the award-winning varsity Titan cheer team, a varsity volleyball player and the social media manager for yearbook. “I have made the decision to attend Riverside City College to continue cheerleading and further my education. After RCC, I plan on going to UC, Santa Barbara to pursue my career in marketing.”

Kaitlyn Turner

West Valley High School recognized Kaitlyn as a scholar-athlete who is also a history buff and ASB president. Principal Gerardo Zavala said Kaitlyn has a desire to shape the future by becoming an English or history teacher. Kaitlyn said, “There are two types of pain that we feel – we feel mental and physical pain. The pain that I felt when I was in middle school was all mental and started when I was placed in honors classes.” The student dynamic was a little different in those classes and Kaitlyn said she soon realized that the other students weren’t going to accept her no matter what she did. “It’s really hard to think about what I was going through and how at that young age I didn’t realize I was experiencing social bullying,” Kaitlyn said. It really weighed on her and she felt there was something wrong with her. She was depressed and nothing was fun for her anymore. She had always dreamed of being a teacher but when she began dreading going to school instead of enjoying it, she knew she had to do something to help herself. “Instead of dwelling on the bullies, I started thinking about my teachers,” Kaitlyn said. She realized the teachers were her biggest supporters and she started making connections with them and focusing more on her academics. “The most significant life lesson I’ll take with me is that you have to be yourself,” she said. “You have to be confident in yourself and you have to rely on yourself to do your best. My self-esteem was so low in middle school that I didn’t even want to be alive anymore. To pay it forward, I’ve grown to be a giving person because I had something taken away from me, my confidence.” Kaitlyn feels that being a supportive teacher helps more than anything in the world which is why she wants to go to Pepperdine, get a good education and become an educator so she can make a positive impact.

Salem Walsh

Hemet High School’s Salem is ranked third in her graduating class and has many club associations, including being an integral member of Mock Trial. Teacher Jamie Killebrew has known Salem since she was about eight years old and said it’s been a privilege to see her grow into an amazing student and human being. She is captain of the tennis team, captain of Mock Trial and editor of the yearbook. She started a coding club for girls because she felt they were not being represented. “She saw a need and she met it,” Killebrew said, adding that “despite difficulties, she never let it compromise her education.” Salem said that one of her favorite aspects of Hemet High, aside from the amazing people, has been the endless opportunities it offers students, particularly in extracurricular activities. Since her freshman year, Salem has become involved with many clubs and groups. She has had the pleasure of participating in tennis, Mock Trial, yearbook, Computer Science Club, Breakfast Club, Habitat for Humanity Club and Link Crew, among others. “One of my greatest leadership opportunities was when I was awarded yearbook co-editor-in-chief as a junior, the youngest to receive such an honor,” Salem said. “My love and joy for yearbook has been synonymous with my love and joy for my community. Everything I do, I’m driven with passion.” Salem hopes to attend UCLA to study computer science. In her sophomore year, she started the Girls Who Code Club and hopes to one day be able to give back as an expert in the field.

San Jacinto Unified School District

Desiree Herrera

Mountain View High School’s Desiree was nominated by her math teacher, Karin Lee, who said that multiple teachers are impressed by Desiree for many reasons. She serves as the school board student representative and was elected as ASB Vice President. She also recently completed all her high school graduation requirements. “I was impressed with her focus and effort into learning her math,” Lee said. “She has become one of the finest board reporters we’ve had in many years.” Desiree began by thanking her father for being such a strong inspiration in her life and her older sister who put so much faith in her when she didn’t have faith in herself. Desiree has chosen to attend Mt. San Jacinto College for a year and then transfer to La Sierra University, which is her dream college. There she hopes to student criminal justice to become a special victims unit detective. “Throughout a person’s life, they are faced with obstacles and challenges. Obstacles I have faced are lack of confidence in myself and having to deal with the passing of my mother,” Desiree said. “One of life’s most dramatic obstacles is the aftermath of the death of a loved one. I found myself in the grieving process when my mother passed away a year ago.” She added that her struggles with self-confidence began when others told her she would never amount to anything and that she would never graduate high school. A life lesson she will carry with her to college is believing that she can accomplish anything she puts her mind to and just believing in herself.

Soowut Rodriguez

San Jacinto High School chose to honor Soowut and Principal Kristi Coulter said, “You can obviously see that he has a presence about him and I know that presence is cultivated. When I met with him in my office, there was this wisdom beyond his years, this very clear direction of where he wants to go in life. And most importantly, there’s this inner light that shines out and that’s unique.” AVID coordinator and teacher Niki Gray shared, “There’s a story that I’m sure most of you are aware of about two wolves that live inside each of us. Once wolf represents jealousy, greed, lies – all the negative darkness. The other wolf represents joy, peace, love, hope, humility and truth. Whichever wolf we decide to feed is the one that wins and I just want to tell you that the wolf this young man definitely feeds is the one with the hope, humility, peace and love. I have personally witnessed a big chunk of all of those characteristics within Soowut. He is literally one of the kindest students I’ve been around.” He has spent his summer breaks contributing to his community by working at the Soboba Indian Reservation Community Garden. He also helped distribute the produce grown there to its residents. “I plan to attend Cal State, San Marcos to major in American Indian Studies because I’m interested in learning about different Tribes, but I plan to become a professional baseball player as my career.” Soowut is on his school’s varsity baseball team and has played there all four years and recently pitching a no-hitter. A significant life lesson he said he will carry with him is to stay focused on goals to be successful and not give up during any challenging times. “I plan on giving back to the community by sharing my knowledge with the younger generation and assisting with as many events as possible,” Soowut said.

This year’s Student of the Year celebration dinner will be May 17 at the Soboba Casino Resort Event Center. For more information, www.studentofthemonth.net.

Find your latest news here at the Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle

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

The Hemet/San Jacinto Student of the Month program held its most recent recognition breakfast at the Maze Stone at Soboba Springs Golf Course, Feb. 16. Seven local high school seniors were recognized and honored for their character, love of learning and commitment to academics in addition to their involvement in school and community activities and their ability to overcome difficult life challenges. And they do this all in a setting that honors God, America, family, community and free enterprise. Students are nominated by teachers or other school personnel for making a difference in their homes, schools and communities.

An opening prayer by San Jacinto Assembly of God Pastor Jeff Johnson, reminded everyone that February is a month of celebrations with Black History Month, Valentine’s Day and Presidents’ Day “but today is to celebrate our students.”

Program founder and event facilitator Karena Zermeno also represents one of the sponsors, Altura Credit Union. Backpacks filled with gifts, a Student of the Month award, certificates of recognition and much more were donated by the program’s sponsors to the award recipients. Each student was invited to the podium to share their personal story, past 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 schools are David Emiliano Delgado Bazaldua, Aiden Featherstone, Erik Pomares, Jazmine Lou Riveral and Hazel Joi Taclay. San Jacinto Unified’s honorees for February are Christina Mehlman and Michelle Rodriguez.

Hemet Unified School District

David Emiliano Delgado Bazaldua

Tahquitz High School selected David, stating he is multidimensional and a standout soccer player. He is known to be a role model for younger players at the school. He has faced challenges, including his mother’s cancer diagnosis this past November. In June of 2022, she broke her knee and was immobilized for three months. During the summer of 2020 she was hospitalized for two months with COVID-19 and on the brink of life and death. He said he felt lucky to still have his “strong beautiful mother with us,” adding that what they went through affected every aspect of his life and has taken a toll on his family. He took the initiative to figure out how he could invest in himself and his family and through association with positive people, self-help books and online influencers, he found his motivation. “By doing this, my mind, body and soul have become potent and I look at myself now and I’m healthy and positive-minded. I’m a power-washing business owner and a varsity soccer athlete. This has also helped me set up a clear goal for the future,” David said. He plans to study business, economics and finance and open a digital technology business. He said, “I love creating new things and finding ways to innovate. I know I have to stay positive and strong.” He reminded everyone to take time to say “I love you” to their loved ones. “I want to inspire everybody to realize that we don’t have much time here. We can only do so much, and time is our enemy,” David said. “But with the time we have here, I know there’s a difference I can make so the only choice is to go forward, keep pushing and to not give up and to find motivation to stay disciplined.”

Aiden Featherstone

Hamilton High School’s top choice this month was Aiden. Principal Jeff Franks said although he was sidelined by an injury during his first year of varsity football, he stayed on to cheer on his teammates. His nominating teacher Keith Gwyn said, “Aiden is a two-sport athlete and is indicative of what we as teachers hope to see in all of our students. He is inquisitive, hard-working, dedicated and motivated. I am positive Aiden will continue to set the standard as he moves forward in life.” Aiden loves learning about and playing sports. “Sports have pushed me to learn and be a better person and to never give up on anything,” he said. As a freshman, he said he had a hard time with reading in front of people because he wasn’t confident in his reading skills. “I struggled with writing as well, but my teachers gave me extra time to do my work and helped me with writing and other assignments,” Aiden said. “Now, as a senior, I’m way more comfortable with reading and writing.” He plans to study fire science in college and aspires to be a firefighter. Aiden’s father said, “It takes a tribe to raise these good kids” and thanked everyone for their support for his son and all the students being honored.

Erik Pomares

Hemet High School singled out Erik for his honesty, humility, leadership and genuine love for people. He is a member of the Young Black Scholars, PLUS Leadership program and ASB. His nominating teacher, Lindsay Brown said, “I know that one day he will change the world; he has already changed so many lives at Hemet High School.” Erik said his parents divorced in 2013 and it was a rough time for him and his two younger sisters. Being a nurse, their mother worked long hours and she admits she had to lean on Erik a lot during that time. During COVID, his family dealt with the loss of two of his aunts, a cousin who was his same age and Erik lost his grandfather, who was a huge role model in his life. Learning how precious life can be, Erik cites his little sister as his biggest role model because she encouraged him to help family and others. “She was there for me when I needed it most,” he said. In his junior year, Erik earned straight As, started the Young Black Scholars group and served as its president and joined all the clubs he could in his senior year. He plans to attend college and then serve in the U.S. Army Reserves. “What I hope to give back to this community is a place where students like me who have big dreams but come from such a rough childhood could now have that dream come true because I care about putting smiles on everybody’s faces,” Erik said. “I want to be an inspiration to all those students.”

Jazmine Lou Riveral

West Valley High School’s choice for February was Jazmine, who is the commanding officer of 137 cadets in the school’s Navy JROTC program. She plans to enlist in the U.S. Navy after graduation. Her nominating teacher, Warrant Officer Alfonza A. Walton, reminded everyone that JROTC is not a recruiting program and offers no pathway to military service unless it is decided on by the student. “We teach leadership skills to be great citizens,” he said. Walton said Lt. Commander Jazmine has acquired many outstanding attributes during the four years she has been in the JROTC program. She has devoted 500 hours to community service as part of the program and said it is her way of giving back to her community. Her father is deployed a lot and with five children in the family, Jazmine has a bigger responsibility at home. It’s a lot of team effort and having multiple responsibilities has taught her time management, a lot of patience and how to tackle tasks in a given timeframe. “The life lessons I’ve gained in JROTC of not giving up when the road gets tough have enabled me to overcome any obstacles,” Jazmine said. While enlisted, she hopes to earn her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. “My parents laid the foundation for me to build my dream,” she said. West Valley Principal Gerardo Zavala thanked all the students for “demonstrating to all of us that it is possible to remain positive through adversity and tragedy and keep a positive outlook on life.”

Hazel Joi Taclay

Alessandro High School’s Hazel was introduced by Principal Matthew Centofranchi who said that all his students face adversity in one form or another and that it has been a joy to have Hazel on campus and rewarding to see her get on track for a successful graduation. Nominating teacher and advisor James Nuce said her middle name fits in very well with her attitude on life. He said, “She’s focused on her future; she knows exactly what she wants to do and she knows how to get there.” Hazel said, “In my freshman year I focused on anything but education.” She said the COVID shutdown felt like a forever summer break that gave her more reasons not to focus on school. In her sophomore year she got pregnant. She transferred to a different comprehensive school during hybrid learning but was still not motivated. After failing two years of high school, she knew Alessandro, an alternative continuation high school, was her last chance to turn things around. She started her junior year there with only five credits but soon became the student she always aimed to be. “It just took some courage and a very firm motive and at this point I had gained a very strong trait of ambition,” Hazel said. “I now believe if you really want something you’ll do everything you need to do to get it. The teachers at Alessandro really care about their students’ wellbeing and future.” She felt encouraged and supported at Alessandro and only needs 20 more credits to graduate. “I’m a fulltime mother and student with a minor job,” Hazel said. “I’m still with the boy who watched me grow from an arrogant brat to a young woman who’s on the right track.”

San Jacinto Unified School District

Christina Mehlman

San Jacinto High School chose to honor Christina for her courage and willingness to make it her mission to provide hope for others. She is described as being generous, patient, kind, faithful and committed. Nominating teacher Mayra Aldana said she has seen very few people have such a balanced perspective on life. Christina said she first met Aldana in her junior year Math III class. “At the time, I was personally struggling with the loss of my mother six months before the school year started,” Christina said. “She showed me love, kindness, respect and for that I will forever be grateful to have you in my life. She became like a second mom to me. Everyone deserves a support system. After losing my mother unexpectedly, I jumped into a mothering role for my siblings. People ask me why and I said it’s something that needed to be done so I stepped up and did it. I’m sure every student here today has a passion or a dream and on that I commend you all.” Christina plans to attend California Baptist University to study psychology.

Michelle Rodriguez

Mountain Heights Academy’s Michelle was nominated by her independent study teacher Gabrielle Henderson who said her student was always motivated and on task while balancing all the things going on in her personal life. Michelle said she has two older sisters she helps wherever and however she can. She plans to study microbiology before attending medical school with the goal of becoming a forensic pathologist. “I’ve always been amazed at how the human body works and I want to help families understand why loved ones are no longer here,” Michelle said. “Helping people to understand this is very important to me because of my own personal experiences.” In December of 2018, her mother was detained at a checkpoint near the Mexican border and was eventually deported back to her home country. “My mom encouraged me to keep on studying in the United States even though she knew this separation would be a great challenge to us both. This was very difficult for my dad as well for now he had to support two homes, but he was our rock.” Unfortunately, their father died in a traffic accident on Dec. 3, 2020. “Everything turned into a blur,” Michelle said. Enrolling in the online program offered through Mountain Heights Academy allowed her to continue studying at an American school while living with her mother in Mexico. “Hard work really does pay off,” she said. “I promise to use my skills to give back to society and to this community.”

Closing remarks

Zermeno asked all the honored students to stand and be applauded once more. “You all possess something that not many students out there have and that’s the ability to overcome, to thrive and to be leaders,” she told them. “You could have easily said ‘this is too much, I can’t’ but you believed in yourselves and said ‘I can.’” Hemet Unified School District Director of Secondary Education Nereyda Gonzalez said, “What I have learned from the kids today, and what I needed a reminder of, was that it doesn’t matter about your falls or bumps, it’s your response that you can control so thank you for reminding me of that.” San Jacinto Unified School District Superintendent David Pyle said to the students, “Challenges build character and the amount of character that you all have at this stage of your life is probably beyond the vast majority of the adults in this room.”

For more information, www.studentofthemonth.net.

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

The Hemet/San Jacinto Student of the Month program held its most recent recognition breakfast at the Maze Stone at Soboba Springs Golf Course, Jan. 19. Seven local high school seniors were recognized and honored for their character, love of learning and commitment to academics in addition to their involvement in school and community activities and their ability to overcome difficult life challenges. And they do this all in a setting that honors God, America, family, community and free enterprise. Students are nominated by teachers or other school personnel for making a difference in their homes, schools and communities.

Program founder and event facilitator Karena Zermeno also represents one of the sponsors, Altura Credit Union. Backpacks filled with gifts, a Student of the Month award, certificates of recognition and much more were donated by the program’s sponsors to the award recipients. Each student was invited to the podium to share their personal story, past 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 schools are Valerie Barajas, Valerie Flores, Angelise Jones, Isabelle Lee and Kaylee Lopez. San Jacinto Unified’s honorees for January are Emily Gates and Grace Truslow.

Hemet Unified School District

Valerie Barajas

Tahquitz High School’s band director Jeremy Pietsch nominated Valerie for being an outstanding student during the four years he has known her. She takes Advanced Placement and dual enrollment college courses and is one of his strongest musicians. He said she earns the highest place at all festivals the band performs at. As first chair in clarinet last year she participated in virtual concerts and was part of the first jazz album ever produced by the Tahquitz Titan musicians. Valerie is lead saxophone in jazz band this year. She plans to become an elementary school teacher. She has played clarinet for six years and alto sax for three. She wants to attend Mt. San Jacinto Community College before transferring to a University of California school. Valerie said, “A life lesson I plan to carry with me on my journey after high school is to focus on present moments and to not worry about things I cannot control.”

Valerie Flores

The Academy of Innovation’s top choice this month is independent study student Valerie. Nominating teacher Linda Olsen described her as an excellent example of self-discipline as she utilizes the fully online option of study. Valerie said one of her greatest contributions to her community has been supporting the Ramona Bowl. She has been involved with the Summer Youth Theater productions, which benefit the nonprofit amphitheater association. She plans to attend California State University, Channel Islands in Camarillo but is undecided about a major or career. “I am interested in the idea of art and see myself likely being associated with it,” Valerie said. Virtual learning has been a good fit for her as she has worked hard to overcome serious sleep problems. Her mother Marie said her daughter is very creative and has a vivid imagination and has been illustrating and writing books and short stories since she was six years old. Valerie said, “A significant life lesson I’ve learned is to rely on myself and trust myself. I want to be a highlight in the life of people, leaving a positive impression and fond memory for them to carry through their day.”

Angelise Jones

West Valley High School singled out Angelise for being a dynamic student who has been singing for the past 13 years. She performed in musical theater at the school for the first time last year, the dance team this year, is part of the Tech Theater team, is a choir member and a Thespian officer for drama. Her nominating teacher Cheri Kehler, who teaches drama and dance, said, “It’s unbelievable that one person can accomplish all these things in one day and Angelise does this with grace and confidence and humility.” Angelise said experiencing bullying and racism while in middle school caused her to become anxious and paranoid and it wasn’t until her junior year of high school when she joined drama that she finally found somewhere she felt like she belonged. She wants to earn her bachelor’s degree in fine arts and return to West Valley. She said her journey has taught her that, “you don’t always have to do things just to satisfy others; sometimes you just need to roll with the punches, pick yourself up and keep moving forward.”

Isabelle Lee

Hamilton High School selected Isabelle for being a very kind, goal-oriented, natural leader. Diana Welty said Isabelle is one of the few students who stepped up to help her when she took over as ASB director and is consistently at every event. Isabelle said moving to California from Minnesota five years ago was a huge culture shock for her. She had attended an all-Hmong school in the past and was the only Asian student when she began attending Hamilton. She said she felt alone and scared but the students were very welcoming and her teachers motivated her to step out of her shell and pushed her to be who she is today. She does a lot of volunteering, especially after school, saying ASB allows her to connect with From the Heart, a nonprofit in Anza. Isabelle said, “My parents are my constant support and will always be there for me no matter how far I go from the nest.” The generosity and kindness she has received from others has motivated her to become an elementary school teacher “and inspire younger kids to be kind to each other, no matter what their situation is.”

Kaylee Lopez

Hemet High School’s Kaylee was introduced by Assistant Principal Zach Taylor as an amazing artist. “I’m really proud and honored to be working in this community but I’m even more proud and honored to present Kaylee today.” Her art teacher Kari Howell said, “How do you talk about someone who is extraordinary? How do you talk about someone who faces adversity head on and keeps going? It is rare to see anyone at any age emerge from aspects of their lives that would normally crumble a person but instead they rise above it and they thrive. It is rare to see someone so young have strength and conviction and to be an advocate for those who are in need and for those who cannot advocate for themselves. She uses her creativity in art to harness the attributes of the Victorian-era style detail and she meshes it with a really amazing modern Gothic edge.” Kaylee said one of her driving motivations since she was very young was to be creative and expressive. “Creating art doesn’t just allow me to become a better artist, but to raise my own self-esteem and to continue to impress myself with my skills,” she said. “I’ve always felt it was important to stay true to my creative passions rather than to acclimate to social norms and traditions. I’m an advocate for disability awareness. My little brother Jacob was diagnosed with autism at the age of three. It is crucial that everyone is treated with dignity and respect and our lives should be centered around unity and compassion for others. Growing up with an emotionally and physically absent father put the weight of parenting on my mom. She encouraged me to be myself and celebrate my uniqueness and go above and beyond when it came to my academic career.” Kaylee plans to attend Riverside Community College in the fall and pursue a career in cosmetology.

San Jacinto Unified School District

Emily Gates

San Jacinto High School Air Force Jr.ROTC is led by Emily, who serves as unit commander to nearly 170 cadets. Lt. Col. Michael Howard prefaced Emily’s time at the podium by saying, “It’s our goal to teach students the Air Force core values of integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do, to develop citizens of character, dedicated to serving our nation and community. Only a select few, like Emily, will rise to the top because they internalize those values and turn them into actions.” Emily said that while all three core values are equally important, it is the second one that has resonated with her the most. “Since the beginning of my Jr.ROTC career, service before self has been at the forefront of who I am as a commander because I believe that in order for my unit to succeed, it needs a leader that’s willing to set personal matters aside and take the time to be there, listen attentively and take action.” Emily plans to attend a private military college in Vermont where she will major in criminology before commissioning into the Air Force as an officer.

Grace Truslow

Mountain View’s Grace was nominated by Mrs. Ochoa who said that teachers at traditional schools get to know their students over time. “I just met Grace in August and I’m already so impressed with her,” she said, adding that Grace is spearheading an art project at the alternative high school and has joined ASB. She recently shared a butterfly tattoo she had gotten on the back of her neck with her teacher who said she found some quotes about butterflies that made her realize that Grace could not have made a better choice. “The butterfly is a beacon of light and hope that comforts and inspires us as we navigate through the complex mix of trials and triumphs that unfold in all of our lives. Just as the butterfly has to undergo different development stages to come out stronger and more beautiful than ever, you too must accept change and lose the parts of yourself that hold you back.” Grace feels her most significant contribution to her school and home has been her creative mind and inquisitiveness. She plans to attend a two-year college and then enlist in the military. She said she has gone through a lot this past year, starting with her and her younger sister being placed into the foster care system. “Although it’s been rough, I’m proud of myself for pushing through. Even though it’s been rough losing friends and family, I plan on making the best of the situation and the opportunities given me,” Grace said. “If there’s anything I’ve learned through the hardships, it’s that despite your shortcomings and disadvantages in life, if you keep pushing through, the end result will be worthwhile.”

Closing remarks

Zermeno asked all the honored students to stand and be applauded once more. “Know that your challenges have formed the amazing human beings you are today,” she told them. Hemet Unified School District Director of Secondary Education Nereyda Gonzalez said a recent school holiday honored Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “who inspired us to live in service to others. The students we heard from today are living that every day. One of my favorite quotes from Dr. King is ‘darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.’ So, students, thank you for being the light that has inspired us today.”

For more information, www.studentofthemonth.net.

Find your latest news here at the Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle

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

“In a meeting with our Native American Parent Advisory Council, parents stayed to talk and voiced they would like to do an event for the students during the month of November which is Native American Heritage Month,” Vazquez said. “The parent council said that the Four Directions club could invite other cultural clubs to be included in the event. One of our parents, Tara Placencia, said, ‘That is how we are as Native People, we are welcoming people.’  It was beautiful that the welcoming and multicultural aspect came from our parents.”

Four Directions Native American Club President Su’la Arviso of the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians said club members wholeheartedly agreed to invite other campus clubs to join them on Nov. 5 from noon to 8 p.m. to share their cultures and club goals. The free event was held at the school’s courtyard where there was plenty of room for guests to sit and view the many cultural exhibitions and to make their way around the perimeter to visit with various club and vendor booths.

“We always had the idea in the back of our minds that we wanted to host a day where everybody’s culture could be celebrated,” Su’la, 17, said.

Four Directions club members and their Tribal affiliations are President Su’la Arviso, Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians; Vice-President Rhianna Salgado, Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians/Cahuilla Band of Indians; Secretary Reese Elliott, Woodsinatee Tlingit; Treasurer Andrew Valazquez, Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians; Member-at-Large So’a Nelson, Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians; and Members Roslyn Valenzeulla and Jocie Yepa, both from the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians.

Su’la said planning began the first week of school with the main challenge being with scheduling all the singers and dancers to be there on the same day since they were coming from many different areas outside of the San Jacinto Valley. Four Directions club members collaborated with adults to assist with organizing the different groups that presented cultural exhibitions.

The main planning committee included SJUSD staff Vince Record, Richard Burton (Four Directions club advisor), Delia Vazquez and Native American Parent Advisory Council members Geneva Mojado (who is also the Soboba Tribal Council Vice Chairwoman), Alishia Falcon, Melissa Vera Arviso, Tara Placencia and Rhonda Valenzuella. Additionally, there was assistance from SJUSD staff Autumn Clark and Dawn Lawrence to bring the event to fruition.

“We had to plan for everything from logistics to safety, to inclusion with it being a first-time event,” Vazquez said. “It was all very important, and we wanted to make sure we got it right.”

Alyssa Angarita is president of San Jacinto High’s MEChA club, which promotes higher education, culture and history among Latino students. Her group offered crafts, face painting and Dia de los Muertos activities.

SJUSD African-American Advisory Council member Sheila Blythe is the School, Family & Community Liaison at the district’s Family Engagement Center and also serves as the advisor for the African-American Advisory Council. She was at the event to support members of the Black Student Union who were sharing details about their club. She works alongside the club so they know there is an adult supporting them beyond the high school.

“This is a great event for connecting our students and bringing unity to our community,” Blythe said. “I’m excited to be out here.”

BSU President Brooklyn McGruder and member Journee Jones said the club has grown over the years and currently has at least 30 members. Journee said the group comes together to share ideas and discuss issues. Brooklyn said the club’s mission is to give students a safe place to go on campus so they don’t feel alone and know they have a voice. “It helps for them to know that you’re in their corner,” Brooklyn said.

Throughout the event, music and cultural exhibitions took center stage. Visitors got to enjoy the Red Tail Spirit Singers and Dancers, Wayne Nelson with Intertribal Bird Singers, Morongo Bird Singers, Black Student Union, SJHS Ballet Folklorico Club, Cahuilla Bird Singers, Vanessa Brown (Pauma Drum Group), Agua Bird Singers, Hula Halua o’Kealonilani Dance and Torres Martinez Bird Singers.

When the Intertribal Bird Singers, led by Wayne Nelson, shared some social songs, they were joined by dancers from the Four Directions Club as well as Tribal members who were attending the event. Assembly Member James C. Ramos, who also chairs the Ca. Legislative Native American Caucus, joined them before presenting Four Directions club members with a California Legislature Assembly certificate of recognition for “furthering the education of the Native American people, through history and traditional songs, that still carries forward today and is celebrated at the first Gathering of the People.”

Ramos, a lifelong resident of the San Manuel Indian Reservation in San Bernardino County, is a member of the Serrano/Cahuilla tribe and became the first California Native American to serve in the California State Assembly, when he was elected in 2018.

Providing a strong voice for all Native Americans, since he took office Ramos has introduced 20 Assembly Bills related to Native American issues that have been signed into law by the governor, six of which were passed in 2022. Recently, he oversaw passage of AB 1314, or the Feather Alert, which adds a missing Indigenous person to the existing emergency notification system that informs law enforcement and media about missing children (Amber Alert) and senior citizens (Silver Alert).

Most notably, AB 1703, known as the California Indian Education Act, will encourage school districts, county offices of education and charter schools to form California Indian education task forces with California Tribes local to their regions to discuss issues of mutual concern and submit materials to be considered for inclusion in the model curriculum by their school districts.

“Some members of this (Four Directions) club traveled to Sacramento and testified in support of AB 1703 and helped me lobby it through the Assembly and Senate. So, at a young age they are already engaged in the political system,” Ramos said. “We need to stand side-by-side to address the issues that are still plaguing our people. It’s by working together that we are moving our voices forward in the state of California.”

Vazquez said it was a highlight and honor to have Assembly Member Ramos as a guest to the event. “It was so nice to see him share the stage with our students and hear the encouraging words he had for them,” she said. “He joined in with the Bird Singers and I know he made an impact in their lives.”

Local food vendors were happy to share their fare with guests at the event. Isai Coronado owns Coronado BBQ and Catering and was smoking his own meat on site, saying it takes 16 hours for brisket and 8-9 hours for pulled pork to be just right. He has attended many events at the Soboba Indian Reservation since he opened about a year ago.

Verdie Dennis was sharing delicacies from her Queens of Cobbler shop on Main St. in San Jacinto. She brought samples of her everyday favorites that customers enjoy such as peach and apple caramel cobblers but also had banana pudding for sale. She teased that she has holiday specials coming up soon at the almost one-year-old store but she also caters events.

Frybread Kitchen, owned and operated by Soboba Tribal members, was serving up Indian tacos and frybread favorites throughout the day and Peralta’s Kettle Korn was also getting a steady stream of hungry visitors. Tacos la Patrona parked its taco truck in the courtyard, Panda Produce offered cut fruit and more and the Eagle Brew Coffee Crew served up seasonal blends.

“We set up our coffee station at all the San Jacinto and Hemet football games, as well as private events,” Eagle Brew owner Kyle Martin said. He grew up in San Jacinto and enjoys attending local farmer’s markets and events such as this one to connect with past and present friends and acquaintances. He said the “crew” in his company’s name refers to his customers that he likes to post about on his Instagram page @eaglebrewcoffeecrew.

“One of the special moments of the day for me was when we took a group picture and Geneva Mojado called for all the clubs to join in,” Vazquez said. “It was in the afternoon and the sun was shining and you could feel the warmth and elation from all those students rushing to get in the picture. It felt like we accomplished something special at that moment.”

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