The Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce Student of the Month program, recognizing and inspiring academic excellence since the 1992-1993 school year, held its most recent awards breakfast on Nov. 13 at the Murrieta Sizzler restaurant, 40489 Murrieta Hot Springs Rd.
Sally Myers, founder of the nonprofit program that partners with the Chamber, welcomed everyone and shared the mission of the local high school recognition program which sets the criteria for the students who are chosen.
Supported by the community, college or vocational/trade school bound seniors are acknowledged and honored for their character, their love of learning and their willingness to participate in numerous activities such as campus events, athletics and community service or the ability to persevere and overcome difficult life circumstances. They accomplish all this in a setting that honors God, country, community, family and free enterprise.
Backpacks filled with gifts, 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.
November’s students of the month are Chaparral High School’s Melissa Chai, Great Oak’s Charles Zhang, Linfield Christian’s George Silverman, Rancho Christian’s Matthew Toy, Saint Jeanne de Lestonnac Catholic High School’s Anthony Simon, Temecula Preparatory High School’s Hector Torres, and Temecula Valley’s Elizabeth “Lizzie” Shedd.
Melissa Chai
Chaparral High School Principal Tina Miller introduced Melissa as the first student board member at Temecula Valley Unified School District. She is editor-in-chief of the school newspaper, a Mock Trial captain and attorney, author of two published books, president or co-president of multiple clubs on campus such as Women in Law, National Honor Society and Asian Pacific Culture. Melissa said an unexpected schedule change in her sophomore year led her to journalism, working with the school newspaper, leading to one of the most meaningful experiences of her high school career. “Over the past three years I have spent countless late nights editing pages, writing stories, and working alongside some of the most passionate and creative students I have ever met,” she said. “The newsroom taught me that when people care deeply about their work and about each other, they can create something truly powerful. To me, real leadership is about listening, it’s about amplifying others, it’s about building something that outlasts yourself.” Teacher Ryan Leonhardi nominated her for her steadfast commitment to activism and her determination to ensure that every voice is heard. “Melissa Chai is a change maker, a storyteller, and a force for good,” he said.
Charles Zhang
Great Oak High School Principal Amber Lane said Charles’ passion goes beyond being a full IB Diploma student and involvement in many clubs, including the CyberPatriots. “He embraces his unique personally and continues to grow and reflect on his journey over high school,” she said. He plans to go into the field of AI research. “The life lesson I’d like to bring to college is just to be nice to people,” Charles said. “I’m a math nerd by trade.” He said he enjoys being involved with NHS and other clubs due to the people he has met as a result. “At the end of the day, I think that what really matters is the people that you meet, the people that you touch and a lot less about what score you get at a math competition,” Charles said. Teacher Steve Maxey said the outstanding senior values friendships and is always meeting people across the country at various math competitions. “He is brilliant and humble,” Maxey said. “One thing he’s done on campus that is so amazing is his leadership. He doesn’t carry the team; he inspires them and makes everyone better.”
George Silverman
Linfield Christian High School Principal Ty Nichols introduced George as an intelligent, perceptive debate team captain who models a great strength rooted in his very deep faith. George plans to study political science before attending law school. “A life lesson that has taught me well is the lesson of never,” he said. “To me, never isn’t a negative word but a challenging one. It challenges me to be better every single day. To me, this is what never looks like. It looks like never letting someone be alone at lunchtime, it looks like never settling for good enough, never giving up on someone or something, never letting go of who I am and where I’ve come from.” Teacher and debate team coach Michelle Ueno addressed George. “It is due to your leadership that for the first time in my career the ownership of the team has fallen more squarely in the hands of the captain than the hands of the coach,” she said. “Your presence as captain has led our team to new levels of excellence, has given me a new depth of love for my job as debate coach and has instilled a deep love of the sport as well as a strong sense of camaraderie in each member of your team.”
Matthew Toy
Rancho Christian High School Principal Doris Jackson said Matthew has attended the school since preschool and is kind, thoughtful and reverent in his academics and sports. He said an obstacle he has overcome and how it inspired him to give back to his community was when his older sister was diagnosed with leukemia when he was only seven. “Obviously it was a tougher battle for her than me, but my life changed as well,” Matthew said. He explained that during the time his sister was hospitalized in San Diego, his mother stayed there to give her comfort while his father took him to a friend’s house who then took him to school and went back there after school until his father picked him up after work so they could drive to San Diego to visit his sister. “One of the toughest parts of this was I hardly ever saw my mom at home,” Matthew said, adding that thankfully his sister is all better. “Seeing all the love and support she got while she was sick meant so much to my family. Since then, I have joined my school’s Interact Club whose main goal is to give back to the community.” Matthew plans to become a chiropractor.
Anthony Simon
Saint Jeanne de Lestonnac Catholic High School Assistant Principal Jodi Brown said Anthony has the kindest heart, always has a smile and brightens any room he is in. He plans to go into the field of cybersecurity. A lifelong challenge he has had to overcome is having ADHD and anxiety. It was controlled through medication until his sophomore year when he experienced heart problems while playing basketball. It was collectively decided that he stop his meds. This was difficult because he had to work through withdrawal and subsequent side effects from that. His grades suffered because he couldn’t focus. “I found new coping mechanisms,” Anthony said. “I had to learn how to study and focus.” In his junior year, his GPA was back to 4.0. He said the experience taught him that limitations should not hold you back. His English and Video/Media Arts teacher Melissa Colombo said, “It’s been such a gift to see Anthony’s growth over the last four years. He’s taken on challenges, he stepped up as a leader, and he’s really started to find his creative voice. He puts forth his best efforts and rises above as an example to others.”
Hector Torres
Temecula Preparatory High School Upper School Dean Garrett Corduan said he met Hector two years ago when about 40 students and parents took a trip to Europe. “He showed his passion for new experiences, always brings calm to the group, and is a great representative of the type of student we try to develop at Temecula Prep,” he said. Hector, who plans to study economics, said, “I believe we are shaped by our environment. One lesson I learned is to not be afraid of hard work and find pleasure in what you do.” He plays varsity soccer and co-founded the National Hispanic Honor Society. “I often see people avoid doing the hard things because it makes them uncomfortable. The problem with that is that these hard paths are usually very necessary. The only person you hurt by avoiding these things is yourself so you might as well find some pleasure in doing it.” He addressed his peers by saying, “I know a new environment such as college can be very difficult and it can seem very daunting and scary, but I just want you to know that there’s a lot of fun and good times to have at college; we find ourselves and learn who we want to be.”
Elizabeth “Lizzie” Shedd
Temecula Valley High School Principal Donna Lione introduced Lizzie as a student who is “involved with everything” such as Unified Sports, varsity flag football and basketball teams, and is senior class president and ASB president. Lione said three words friends would use to describe Lizzie are “genuine, confident and humble.” Lizzie plans to study neuroscience because she loves to see how the mind works. She likes to read people and adapt to what they need because she said, “I understand when you adapt and adjust and understand people, you provide them with an environment where they can thrive.” Lizzie also said, “All the lessons I’ve learned from the teams I’ve been on and the community I’ve been around and classes I’ve taken have shaped my understanding of what true leadership is. It’s about service, connection, and helping others grow alongside you.” Nominating teacher Eric Burlingham said Lizzie is an amazing leader in that she can do the two things that are necessary. “She has a great vision for the world, and she has the skills to make that vision a reality,” he said. “She wants everyone to be involved. She inspires me and the people around her.”
For more information, please contact Program Chair Liz Schuch at 951-676-5090 or liz@temecula.org.
