Post said he has been at the school for 30 years, starting out as a teacher, and enjoys seeing the children of former students now attending Noli. He thanked the Soboba Tribal Council for their continued support and generosity that enables these students to be successful. Post also acknowledged the tireless efforts of the Noli Booster Club who host fundraisers to assist the athletic and academic programs throughout the 6-12 grade school. Members also volunteer at events and provided special gift baskets for each of the students being promoted. Post thanked his entire staff for the hard work, dedication, and love they put into their jobs every single day that he said makes his job easier.

In what has been a long-standing tradition at the ceremony, Post offers students the opportunity to give a speech if they choose to do so. This year, Monica Rivera came forward to share her thoughts with her peers and the families and friends who were there to support them all. She said she was grateful to have been able to play sports and be part of ASB, AVID and the Beading Club while in middle school.

English and Culture teacher Emma Avellaka Herrera served as one of the emcees for the event and explained that being a small school, all staff members are given the unique opportunity to get to really know each and every student on campus. She sent out a survey to all staff members asking them to describe each student. Based on those responses, personalized awards were created for them.

“Every passion, skill, breakthrough, and even every mistake is visible,” Herrera said. “As you can imagine, this can be a very intimidating place to learn because learning demands we are going to make mistakes. Regardless of the audience these students have, they have persevered through many challenges in their classes and in sports. I have never seen a group more willing to stand up for one another.”

Students, with their Tribal affiliations, were recognized for their distinctive attributes. Aliyah Brane, Mesa Grande Band of Digueño Indians, received the Peacekeeper Award for always looking out for her friends and community members. Candace Devore, Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians, was given the Náavut Award for being a strong and admirable young woman. Aydreean Garcia, Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians, was acknowledged as a Firekeeper for making connections in all she does. Sally Lopez-Reyes, Kumeyaay and Tongva, was singled out for being a Critical Thinker who is beyond her years in thinking, risk-taking, and rigor.

Nadillyn Mendoza, Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians, earned the Omqée’is Award for looking after others with the same care and grace as only an “older sister” can. Su Kutt Morreo, Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians, received the Storyteller Award because he is constantly creating through stories, art, or business endeavors. Angel Reyes, Texas Band of Yaqui Indians, was given the Áswut Award for being observant and intentional in his interactions with others. Monica Rivera, Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians, earned the Stewardship Award for taking responsibility for the care of friends, family, teammates, and her school community.

Destiny Saucedo, Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians, received the Kwíila Award because of her confidence in character, writing, and reflection that inspires others to become better versions of themselves. Avasily Témanwanvish, Los Coyotes Band of Cahuilla and Cupeño Indians, was given the Móomat Award for her ability to bring life to every relationship she cultivates. Samuel Venegas, Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians, received the ‘Íswut Award for taking pride in leading other young men on campus.

The event also included the awarding of additional recognition to several students. Spanish teacher Andrea Duran serves as an AVID advisor and gave recognition to four students who are making a difference. She said they have challenged themselves and know how to make the most of every opportunity. They are Aydreean Garcia, Sally Lopez-Reyes, Angel Reyes, and Monica Rivera.

Science teacher Sabrina Smith is Noli’s ASB Coordinator and presented certificates to three students who have stood out as leaders in and out of the classroom and can always be relied upon. They are Aliyah Brane, Candace Devore, and Monica Rivera.

Herrera presented Destiny Saucedo with a Culture Recognition award for having remarkable accountability for her words and actions and practicing restraint and respect regardless of any difficulties or obstacles.

After certificates of completion were presented to the students, they were congratulated by Noli teachers and School Board members President Sandy Boniface, Vice President Antonia Briones Venegas, Secretary Avellaka Arviso, and Members at Large Lucille Briones and Mia Gonzalez. The students were then free to join their family members and friends who were there for the important event that had them looking forward to transitioning into high school.

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Since its start in 1999, the BARR model has grown into a nationally recognized approach used in 24 states and more than 375 schools, supporting the success of over 360,000 students.

Now in its ninth year of implementation, SJHS continues to excel in the BARR program. With a school-wide focus on positivity, collaboration, and student success, SJHS is leading the way in supporting the whole student. From strength-based Block Meetings to engaging I-Times and Community Connect sessions, staff consistently work together to meet student needs. The 9th grade BARR team continues to implement program fidelity. The team has recognized over 200 ‘student of the week’, written over 250 ‘encouraging postcards’, delivered over 600 I-Time lessons, and continues to focus on decreasing failure as they strive to reach every student. Site administrators are actively involved in BARR meetings, which ensures seamless communication and aligned leadership.

BARR Coordinator, and now Assistant Principal, Fidel Salcedo and the Ninth Grade BARR team have played a key role in strengthening each element of the program. Their dedication has earned SJHS national recognition. Recently, during the 2024-2025 school year, their efforts were recognized on the national stage, as they earned the BARR Center Accreditation of Schools. SJHS was the only high school in California and one of just eight schools nationwide honored at last year’s BARR Conference in Rancho Mirage.

Congratulations to Mr. Salcedo, who will join the High School Panel at this year’s BARR National Conference in Rancho Mirage, where once again he will have the opportunity to showcase San Jacinto High School’s impactful journey.

SJHS exemplifies how a consistent, compassionate, and collaborative approach to BARR can transform school culture and outcomes. “We are proud to celebrate this significant milestone with you. Your school serves as a model for others across the country, demonstrating what is possible when a whole school community comes together around a shared vision of growth and excellence,” shared BARR Center Founder and Executive Director Angela Jerabek.

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Local program founder and Student of the Month Committee member Karena Zermeno-Leon emceed the event. She also represents program sponsors Karena Zermeno Realtor and Cave Restaurant at Oak Mountain Winery. Each student was invited to the podium to share their personal story, past and/or current challenges and future goals with a room full of supporters that included principals, teachers, peers and family members, as well as community and school district dignitaries.

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

Hemet Unified School District

Benjamin Barbee

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

Janeya Gulley

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

Samantha Calvillo Navarro

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

Jamyr Pech

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

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

Eddie Villa

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

San Jacinto Unified School District

Jackie Sanchez Ibarra

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

Jeremy Morales

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

Justin Valladares

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

For more information, www.studentofthemonth.net.

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Her experiment titled “Stinky Cheese” compared which storage methods would keep certain types of cheese fresher longer: original packaging, plastic food storage bag or glass container.

“I chose this topic because I was thinking cheese would be interesting to do,” said Wish, who turns 10 years old in February. “I learned from the process that it was fun learning about cheese, but it was a lot of work to do.”

She spent about a week on her experiment and discovered a surprising result. She found that cheddar cheese developed mold faster than pepper jack cheese in a zippered food storage bag, which she had hypothesized would be the worst.

On January 15, SJUSD hosted its annual District Science Fair, celebrating curiosity, creativity, and scientific thinking among students in grades 4–12. The district’s website shared that the event featured the top projects from each school, highlighting the hard work and ingenuity of students who conducted experiments or designed original prototypes as part of their site-level science competitions.

A wide range of projects were on display, with titles such as Bouncy Eggs, The Best Power Plant, Which Filtration Method Makes the Cleanest Water?, Smart Cane, Stinky Cheese, Under Pressure, and Which Brand of Battery Will Last Longer? Each project demonstrated strong research skills, problem-solving, and a passion for discovery.

Although Wish’s project was not among the 11 that were selected to advance to the Riverside County Science and Engineering Fair on Feb. 27, the District Science Fair was a true celebration of student innovation and a testament to the bright future of science in area schools.

It’s no surprise that this is Wish’s favorite subject in school.

“I like science because it’s fun to do experiments,” she said.

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

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

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

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

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

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Students must pass all three components to graduate from Noli School. These include an essay, a slideshow and a presentation in front of an impartial panel. The final component took place on April 21 when five community members took time out of their busy schedules to help with the annual project. They were asked to interact with the speakers by asking questions relating to their topic and then scoring their presentation on a rubric. Each senior was judged on how well prepared they were, if they made good eye contact with the audience, whether they utilized props in a meaningful way, and other criteria.

Phillips gives seniors a checklist that involves about a dozen turn-in dates, which consists of a grade that will impact their final essay grade. If they miss a check-in, it’s two points off, but if they turn it in late, it’s only one point off. The deadline dates are for things such as topic, resources, outline, and their rough draft.

“Students can choose any topic, but I mostly look for school appropriateness,” she said. “I have never denied a senior topic yet.”

Phillips has been at Noli Indian School for the past 13 years, teaching a financial class in addition to 12^th grade English and being a reading specialist for the middle and high school students.

“Senior Presentations began before I started at Noli,” she said. “I feel students should leave high school with basic skills, which are necessary in this world. Students will be able to write an essay in MLA format, produce a technology component, and be able to present to an unknown panel. I truly hope students learn and understand the importance of senior projects—preparing them for the future, whether in the workforce or with their children.”

The students are given multiple opportunities to present in front of classmates and other grades, in preparation for their final presentation which should be at least 30 minutes in length. In addition, they are encouraged to present in front of family members. It was evident that the seniors took advantage of those opportunities when they entered the multipurpose room to share their projects.

The students shook hands as they introduced themselves to each of the panelists that included Michelle Steffani, Camilo De La Cueva, Brian Eddy and Angel Bill.

Babe Briones did his project on the seizure condition known as epilepsy. He described the different types of seizures and who can be affected by the disorder. He outlined the treatment and what can be done to help prevent seizures. He ended his presentation by sharing that a close family member was diagnosed with epilepsy and the family learned how to offer care when and if needed. He gave each attendee a purple ribbon, the symbol used to raise awareness about epilepsy.

Arionna Ward presented on “Keeping Traditions in the Modern World” while wearing a traditional necklace that was gifted to her and a bird skirt she made. She shared Cahuilla traditions and provided a history of her people which include mountain, desert and The Pass Cahuilla who have different versions of bird songs. Her props included a gourd rattle used by bird singers and a sage bundle for each panelist to take home. She shared that traditions have been passed down orally through generations. “I learned a lot during my research, but I know I still have a lot to learn,” Arionna said.

Daigan Cyhan focused his project on “Traditional Hand Games of Southern California.” He enjoys Peon the most but also shared details about sticks and dice games that are commonly played. After explaining how each game is played, he allowed the panelists to play the latter games to get an idea of how the scoring is done. He shared how the pieces are made for the games and brought samples of the raw materials (black willow branches, etc.) which gave a perspective of the craftsmanship that goes into creating the game pieces.

Johnny Gutierrez has had a long fascination with World War I and gave his presentation on “The People’s War.” He was dressed in an authentic Pioneer uniform. He outlined the history of the war that was fought from 1914-1918 and cost 10 million lives. He shared personal accounts from soldiers who fought in the war that were written in diaries and letters. Gutierrez had many pieces of attire and equipment and demonstrated how and when they were used. When asked, he said the most authentic motion picture on WWI is the original “All Quiet on the Western Front” from 1930. He said what he learned working on the project is “how insane humanity can be.”

Joseph Morsa is passionate about Motocross and came in full gear with his Yamaha 250 bike parked next to him as he gave his presentation. He has been enjoying riding dirt bikes his whole life for fun and his entire family loves riding. His presentation was on the sport of motocross which began in 1909 by the Auto Cycle Club when they hosted quarterly trials. Joseph talked about the importance of the bike’s maintenance and how he enjoys the freedom he feels when he rides. “I have been inspired by many riders, especially Ricky Carmichael, whose contributions to professional motocross and stock car racing have made a great impact in both sports.”

Steffani was participating for the third year and said every time she learns something. Bill, also there for the third time, said he enjoys the opportunity to be a mentor in a sense, interacting positively with the students. De La Cueva was helping out for the second time and said he loves seeing the young people talk because the skill of public speaking is so difficult to master, and he loves to learn. Eddy, also there for the second year, said he enjoys hearing some of the things kids are passionate about.

“I was very proud of my seniors this year,” Phillips said. “They were prepared and had awesome props. I know they’ll be ready for the world awaiting them.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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