The Perris Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Menifee Valley Chamber of Commerce held their February Student of the Month breakfast at the Perris Sizzler, 91 West Nuevo Road on Feb. 11. Sally Myers of BMW Management/Sizzler Restaurants founded the program that started including the Perris Union High School District schools in 1998.
She emceed the event, sharing the mission of her nonprofit organization that partners with the local Chambers. The program acknowledges and honors college or trade school bound seniors for their character, love of learning and commitment to academics, in addition to participation in athletics, school activities and community service. It also commends those who have persevered through challenging life circumstances, all in a setting that honors God, country, family, community and free enterprise.
Large tote bags filled with gifts, certificates of recognition, and 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 are Heritage High School’s Jun Shuo “Julia” Yang, Liberty High’s Quartney Shaw, Paloma Valley’s Rosa Vaughan, Perris High’s Jasmine Lopez, and Perris Lake High School’s Aredy Sosa-Torres.
Heritage High School singled out Jun Shuo “Julia” Yang for Student of the Month. Selected by her teachers, Julia is widely known across campus for her leadership, involvement, and positive presence. Principal Jose Topete shared that he frequently sees Julia at major school events, from Senior Night for girls basketball to campus blood drives and student leadership meetings. She serves as president of Students for Change and the Asian Culture Club, secretary of Interact Club, is a member of the varsity girls basketball team, and also manages the girls lacrosse team. Julia credits strong time management skills for helping her balance academics and extracurricular activities. She plans to attend a four-year university in California where she intends to study actuarial science or statistics and pursue a career as an actuary. In her remarks, Julia shared a powerful personal lesson about not allowing setbacks or others’ opinions to define her self-worth. She reflected on learning to turn challenges into opportunities for growth and to recognize her own value. Girls basketball coach Deanna Meijer praised Julia’s intelligence, dedication, humor, and positive influence on her teammates, describing her as easy to love and destined for success.
Quartney Shaw is Liberty High School’s February Student of the Month and Principal Erika Rojas described her as a servant leader whose smile, energy, and warmth brighten the campus each day. As ASB president, an active member of BSU, PBIS leader, and frequent emcee for school events and pep rallies, Quartney consistently leads with kindness, integrity, and heart. Quartney also serves as senior class president and takes classes at Mt. San Jacinto College, where she will earn her associate degree this spring. She has maintained a 4.0 GPA or higher throughout high school, serves on the CSF executive board, participates in athletics, and remains deeply involved in campus leadership. In her remarks, Quartney reflected on her journey of resilience and growth. Growing up as a military child and later navigating her parents’ separation, she faced bullying and personal challenges that tested her confidence. Through writing, leadership opportunities, and the encouragement of mentors and family, she learned to find her voice and step beyond her comfort zone. She credits those experiences with shaping her confidence, perseverance, and commitment to serving others. Quartney plans to major in psychology or sociology in college before attending law school, with the goal of becoming an attorney by 2032.
Paloma Valley High School’s Rosa Vaughan (Giefer) was chosen for recognition this month. Principal Thomas LaRochelle described her as energetic, resilient, and deeply involved on campus. From stepping up on short notice to serve as a student emcee at the State of the District event to actively participating in ASB and maintaining outstanding grades, Rosa is known for her leadership and positive spirit. Rosa shared that living with arthrogryposis, a rare physical condition affecting her joints and mobility, has shaped her character and strengthened her determination. She spoke about the importance of perseverance, self-advocacy, and staying consistent even when challenges require extra time and effort. Rather than allowing obstacles to define her, Rosa has used them as motivation to grow stronger and more confident. Nominating teacher Amelia Brown praised Rosa’s fierce determination, noting her continued success in AP English courses and her refusal to make excuses. Rosa plans to attend MSJC before transferring to a UC campus to study computer programming, a field that aligns with her passion for coding and problem-solving. Her mother, Leslie Rios, shared heartfelt words about Rosa’s strength through 15 surgeries and years of treatment, expressing pride in the inspiring young woman she has become.
Jasmine Lopez is Perris High School’s choice for Student of the Month for February. Although Jasmine was unable to attend due to a family emergency, Principal Ricardo Garcia-Felix shared high praise for her outstanding achievements and dedication. Since her freshman year, Jasmine has consistently challenged herself academically. She earned an A-plus in AP Human Geography as a ninth grader and has continued taking rigorous courses each year, including multiple AP classes, medical assistant courses, digital media, and four years in the AVID program. Her strong work ethic and determination have resulted in an impressive 4.26 GPA, placing her among the top 15 students in the Class of 2026. Notably, Jasmine continues to take advanced math courses even though she has already earned enough credits to graduate. Spanish teacher Javier Rodriguez, who nominated her, described Jasmine as intellectually curious, highly engaged, and an active participant in class discussions. He praised her critical thinking skills and expressed confidence in her future success.
Perris Lake High School chose to recognize Aredy Sosa-Torres this month. Assistant Principal Heather Avila shared that Aredy enrolled at Perris Lake at the end of her junior year and has since flourished both academically and personally. After facing challenges with anxiety and depression, Aredy found a welcoming and supportive environment at the school that allowed her to grow with confidence and determination. She serves as a leader in ASB and helps promote belonging, engagement, and empowerment across campus. Though a quiet leader, Aredy leads with authenticity, kindness, and a strong desire to serve others. Aredy expressed gratitude to her parents and teachers for their unwavering support. She shared that Perris Lake gave her a second chance and helped her rediscover happiness with school. An accomplished and talented artist, Aredy has earned recognition for her artwork, including detailed pieces inspired by meaningful moments and loved ones. She plans to major in art and architecture at California College of the Arts in San Francisco, while also exploring film and photography, with the long-term goal of becoming an art teacher. Teacher Carol Stern praised her creativity, perseverance, and positive energy she brings to campus each day.
To learn more about the Student of the Month Program, please contact founder Sally Myers at 951-506-8024.
