The Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce Student of the Month program, recognizing and inspiring academic excellence since the 1992-1993 school year, held its first awards breakfast of 2025 on Jan. 9 at the Murrieta Sizzler restaurant, 40489 Murrieta Hot Springs Rd.
Sally Myers, founder of the nonprofit, 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.
Students received backpacks filled with gifts and certificates of recognition, among other things, which were all donated by sponsors of the program. Each student shared their personal story, past challenges, and future goals on stage with an audience of supporters, including principals, teachers, peers, family members, and community and school district dignitaries.
January’s students of the month are Chaparral High School’s Taryn Mitchell, Great Oak’s Macklin Jakuttis, Linfield Christian’s Abby Bi, Rancho Christian’s Navaeh Berry, Saint Jeanne de Lestonnac Catholic High School’s Haley Holder, Temecula Preparatory High School’s Nicholas Stein, and Temecula Valley’s Brian Tek.
Taryn Mitchell
Chaparral High School Principal Tina Miller credits Taryn with helping to spearhead a new program on campus called PLUS (Peer Leaders Uniting Students). “This is a club and a class that fosters student voice and helps with a sense of belonging for students,” Miller said. “In PLUS, Haley found her passion, her confidence, a voice and I hope, a home. Through student-led forums, she has helped other students on campus have a voice and has made an impact on our school’s culture and climate.” Taryn said that although she was outgoing, she struggled with the lack of a sense of belonging during the first two years of high school. She associated with peers who made poor choices. “Trying to fit in only held me back and school became something I had to endure rather than something I looked forward to,” Taryn said. “Everything changed when I decided to step away from influences that were harming my growth. It’s then that I was introduced to PLUS.” She said being a part of the program, and now serving as president, helped her realize that anyone can become a leader and that everyone has a quality within themselves that can contribute to positively influencing others. “Seeing the potential in others is extremely important,” Taryn said.
Macklin “Mac” Jakuttis
Great Oak High School Principal Amber Lane asked “Mac” what words her friends would use to describe her and she replied, “mature, honest, kind.” When asked what advice she would give to her ninth-grade self, Mac said she would spend more time focusing on moments. As editor-in-chief of yearbook, she captures many of those moments through photographs and other content. She plans to attend Baylor University to study psychology and forensics. “From a young age, I’ve always sought ways to give back, whether it’s to family, school or community,” Mac said. “Being an only child, I’ve definitely learned independence. As president of the National Honor Society, I lead projects that impact our local community.” She said her faith has always been very important to her and she considers her church, where she works as a youth leader, to be her home away from home. “As for my greatest contribution, I’d say it’s how I’ve chosen to serve others in all areas of my life, whether it’s through leading, creating, or simply showing up. I’ve learned that living a life of service doesn’t just impact others, but it strengthens me as well.” Teacher Melissa Casady said the yearbook club has a saying of “if better is possible, good is not enough” and she said Mac personifies that statement every single day in everything that she does.
Abby Bi
Linfield Christian High School Principal Ty Nichols introduced Abby as bright, determined and courageous. “Academically, she is unparalleled, having earned nothing less than an A throughout her high school career,” he said. “She is a gifted musician, mastering the piano and flute and percussion as a member of our high school jazz band and band.” She is also the only girl fiercely competing on the school’s all-male golf team. Abby hopes to attend medical school to become an anesthesiologist. “One way I’d like to give back to my community is by sharing my passion and determination for everything I do with others,” Abby said. “I hope to inspire the next generation just as I’ve been inspired by those who came before me.” She has enjoyed being part of Linfield Christian’s mission trips to an orphanage near Tijuana, Mexico. Several students and a few chaperones drive down there for a few days at a time where they assist with whatever is needed as they interact with the children. “Through these trips, you learn so much about yourself,” Abby said. “The group you came with and a community in need. When you see things through a different lens, you learn.”
Navaeh Berry
Rancho Christian High School Principal Doris Jackson has known Navaeh for many years and said she is a student who loves to learn and grow. She is a fierce competitor in varsity soccer, and she is also on the cheerleading team. She plans to major in business and pursue entrepreneurship, eventually hoping to have her own law practice one day. “There are a few life lessons that I want to carry with me to college and beyond,” Navaeh said. “The first is the importance of balance. In a fast-paced world, it’s easy to get caught up in school and work and forget about the importance of maintaining good relationships, a healthy state of mind and simply enjoying life.” Another lesson is learning that the most meaningful competition is with yourself. “Our generation often finds itself comparing accomplishments and successes, especially on social media where we only see the highlights in others’ lives,” Navaeh said. “True growth comes from focusing inward and striving to be the best version of yourself. It’s not about perfection, it’s about progress.” She said her pastor gave her a very reflective and beneficial mindset that she also shared. “He said you’re never not making an impact, you’re just choosing what type of impact you make.”
Haley Holder
Saint Jeanne de Lestonnac Catholic High School Principal Annette Zaleski said Haley has attended the K-12 school since kindergarten and has always been involved with many activities. She said the most important and valuable characteristics are the intrinsic gifts that Haley shares – the words of encouragement she gives her classmates on an everyday basis and the inclusive invitations to events and clubs, offering that helping hand. “Over the past four years, I have had the incredible opportunity to participate in many extracurricular activities that have helped me grow as both a leader and as a person,” Haley said. “Whether it’s through my role as varsity volleyball team captain, serving as ASB secretary or leading Key Club as president, each experience has taught me valuable lessons in teamwork, responsibility and service.” She is also a member of the National Honor Society and California Scholarship Federation, which has helped be a servant leader and humbly offers her time, talents, and compassion to uplift and inspire those around her. She hopes to channel her passion for service into a career that brings hope and healing to others. “For me, nursing is the intersection of personal experience, passion, and purpose,” Haley said. “As I work toward becoming a licensed nurse practitioner in the future, my goal is to provide more than clinical expertise. I want to be a source of comfort, a compassionate listener, and a healing presence for each and every one of my patients.”
Nicholas “Nick” Stein
Temecula Preparatory High School Upper School Dean Garrett Corduan introduced Nick as an amazing athlete who is also section lead in the chamber choir. He plans to attend UC, San Diego as a human biology major and pursue a career in orthopedics. “A major lesson I have learned in my life is how limiting it can be to live our lives based on what other people think about us,” Nick said. “We all have something that we are hesitant to do because it might change the way our peers view us.” He did not let that stop him from joining choir while being captain of the football team, which is not something you see very often at a high school. “There’s a big lack of participation in the arts by athletes and vice versa,” he said. If he had given into the stigma of only doing one thing or the other, he said, “I would have missed out on so many opportunities that were truly some of the greatest experiences of my life.” Choir teacher Michelle Risling said Nick began to study music in middle school and has a beautiful baritone voice. She said he has taken a leadership role in the choir program, demonstrating students can really do it all if they want to.
Brian Tek
Temecula Valley High School Principal Donna Lione said when Brian was asked what his philosophy on life was, he said it is the story of physics. He is a member of the Physics Club, Math Club, CyberPatriots and Science Olympiad. He boasts a 4.61 GPA and is MIT or Berkeley-bound in the fall. He believes that “If you’re not having fun in what you’re involved in, you’re doing it wrong.” Brian said, “Being born to two Cambodian immigrants, I’ve always been taught the value and importance of education.” He took an Advanced Placement physics class in his sophomore year, and it changed his life. He said the class opened his mind because it’s not about the teacher giving information; it’s about student discovery and critical thinking. “It taught me to think critically and analyze problems, lessons I carry with me to every single class. I see kinematics and energy transfer in everything I do,” Brian said. Teacher Ziba Mayar said Brian is a student with a rare combination of intelligence and altruism, which makes him a true standout. “Brian seeks to make education equitable to all students. He wants to level the playing field for future generations, providing opportunities to those who might otherwise be left behind,” she said.
For more information, please contact Program Chair Amber Poncy at 951-676-5090 or http://temecula.org/student-of-the-month.
