The Murrieta/Wildomar Chamber of Commerce Student of the Month program held its recognition breakfast on Oct. 12 at the Murrieta Sizzler restaurant, 40489 Murrieta Hot Springs Rd. Mary Walters, Murrieta Valley Unified School District Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, served as emcee and welcomed everyone to the event.
Walters explained that the nonprofit’s purpose is to celebrate and honor outstanding students who make a significant difference in their schools and community. Its mission is to provide a local high school recognition program which will acknowledge college and trade school bound seniors for their character, their love of learning and their commitment to academics in addition to their participation in athletics, school activities, community service or their ability to persevere and overcome difficult life circumstances in a setting that honors God, country, family, community and free enterprise.
Backpacks 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.
October’s students of the month are Murrieta Canyon Academy’s Avery Redmon, Murrieta Mesa High School’s Weston Van Soest, Murrieta Valley High’s Isabella Dadalt, Springs Charter School’s Heaven Molina and Vista Murrieta High School’s Lauren Sammon.
Avery Redmon
Murrieta Canyon Academy principal Matt Bean explained that the school is a unique alternative high school that strives to provide an educational environment built around social, emotional and academic support. “In many cases it is a campus that provides students with a fresh start, a new opportunity; it’s a place where they can recalibrate their personal or academic life and hopefully meet their goals and develop a plan,” Bean said. “Avery is a perfect representative of our school. She has had a complete rebirth on our campus and has learned how to soar to success.” Due to the impact of Lyme disease, Avery found it increasingly difficult to perform at the high school level she was accustomed to. As she and her family learned to navigate her illness, they decided to give Murrieta Canyon a try in her junior year and she flourished in the environment as a talented artist and musician. After being diagnosed six years ago, Avery said she suffered constant stress and anxiety. “Lyme disease has impacted every aspect of my life,” she said. She plans to pursue a career as a music teacher. Her counselor and club advisor, Gabriela Arizola, said Avery emerged as a leader in the Mental Health Awareness Club. Avery is dual enrolled at Murrieta Valley High School so she can continue participation in JROTC and law enforcement classes.
Weston Van Soest
Murrieta Mesa Principal Scott Richards said, “Weston is an amazing student who excels not only in the classroom but in life.” He prides himself on the quality and not the quantity of the relationships he builds in his life. He participates in volleyball, basketball, cross country and track, all at the varsity level. He has served as National Honor Society president for two years and is part of the Principal’s Advisory team. He is also Student Senate president for the second time which no one else has done in the history of Murrieta Mesa High School. He is a member of the Business and Philanthropy Club which aligns with his interest in majoring in business after graduation, but he also has a focus on fundraising events to give back to the community. Weston said, “Throughout my journey as a high schooler, I’ve had many successes and many failures. If you are able to grow through your successes and your failures, you can’t lose.” He plans to pursue a degree in finance to hopefully become an entrepreneur and an active member of whatever community he lives in, serving others who don’t have the opportunities that he was fortunate enough to have. Weston said, “My parents champion me in my good times and support me when I’m going through a rough patch.” His counselor, Kesha Andrews, said, “Weston is one of the most genuine students on campus who is admired for his calm and kind demeanor.”
Isabella Dadalt
Murrieta Valley Principal Ryan Tukua introduced Isabella as a “pillar of the culture at MV with her ability to lead others that is second to none.” She carries a 4.6 Grade Point Average and is a full International Baccalaureate student, ASB president, student representative for the district’s school board, class president, California Scholarship Federation member, Link Crew member for three years and has been on the tennis team since her freshman year. She also works part time and speaks three languages. Isabella said, “I always found a passion in leading and serving others on my campus and I’m a huge advocate for school spirit.” She was part of the California Association of Student Leaders, where 20 students from across California planned conferences all over the state to teach students everything there is to know about leadership and anything else that may be beneficial to their futures.
Heaven Molina
Springs Charter School Principal Jennifer Martin said Heaven has been part of the KEYS College & Career Prep Independent Study program all four years of high school. “Heaven is driven and cultivates a sense of excellence,” Martin said. “She wants to be a doctor and I know she will be a difference maker like all the other students here today.” Heaven has been nominated to represent River Springs at the Congress of Future Medical Leaders and will be attending its summit in Boston next summer, laying the groundwork for being a doctor and watching a live surgery. She plans to major in biology or molecular biology and then go to medical school with her ultimate goal of becoming a surgeon. “I plan to give back to my community by finding ways for the less fortunate to receive the help they need such as vaccines, surgeries and therapy that will save their lives. I hear many stories where those who are less fortunate do not receive the care that they need, and this drives me to give back more. Becoming a doctor will help me achieve these goals and help those in need.”
Lauren Sammon
Vista Murrieta High School Principal Celeste Scallion said Lauren is a standout leader, scholar and athlete, holding the top rank in her class with a 4.7 GPA. She plans to attend the University of Wisconsin where she will play Division 1 golf. Lauren said, “Thank you are two words that can sum up everything I want to say” as she expressed her gratitude to Sally Myers and sponsors for the Student of the Month program, her principal, the district she has been part of since kindergarten and everyone at the campus. She said Vista Murrieta won “Most Spirited School in the Nation” last year which resulted in a $25,000 prize for the school. “I am incredibly grateful and honored to have been part of the video and part of the process,” she said. With the Bronco being the school’s mascot, Lauren claims she was the first “baby Bronco” as the daughter of a teacher there who often took the toddler to school events. Her coach and Bronco Bleacher Creatures advisor, Andy Rucker, said as the new president of BBC, Lauren does her part to get as many students connected to Vista Murrieta as possible. He said she would be the ideal choice for the “Portrait of a Graduate” program that is being developed by the district. “It’s not just about her academics, athletics or leadership, it’s about the person she is,” Rucker said.
For more information or to participate in the program, please contact LouEllen Ficke at 951-415-2250 or Sally Myers at 951-775-0520.
