The Murrieta/Wildomar Chamber of Commerce Student of the Month program held its most recent breakfast celebration at the Murrieta Sizzler restaurant, 40489 Murrieta Hot Springs Rd., March 20. Emcee Mary Walters introduced Sally Myers of BMW Management, founder of the program that celebrates and honors outstanding students who make a significant difference in their schools and community.
Myers shared the organization’s mission statement for the program that partners closely with the Murrieta/Wildomar Chamber of Commerce, the Murrieta Unified School District, and the City of Murrieta. The purpose is to 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.
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.
March’s students of the month are Murrieta Canyon Academy’s Kayla Cruz, Murrieta Mesa High School’s Uzochi Orji, Murrieta Valley High’s Claire Todd, Springs Charter School’s Nicholas Jimenez, and Vista Murrieta High School’s Trish Hoang.
Kayla Cruz
Murrieta Canyon Academy Principal Matt Bean shared that Kayla moved to Murrieta at the end of the pandemic and struggled for a couple of years because she lacked motivation and was too afraid to ask for help. She started at MCA in her junior year, just to see if it was a good fit for her, and it was. It met her academic and social/emotional needs and allowed her to come out of her shell. She became a member of the Bring Change to Mind club, where students support peers. Kayla said the small class sizes and individualized attention she received from teachers at Murrieta Canyon led her to dramatically improve her grades. “Before MCA, I didn’t think I would graduate high school, let alone attend college,” Kayla said. “My previous struggles in school taught me a valuable lesson – that it’s important to never lose hope.” She plans to attend college in New York, where she has a family support system in place. She aspires to become a labor, delivery, and recovery nurse in the future. Leadership class teacher Amelia Kowalski said, “Kayla reminds us that setbacks don’t define us and our response to them does. Her journey is proof that with resilience, optimism, and a willingness to grow, anything is possible.”
Uzochi Orji
Murrieta Mesa Principal Scott Richards said Uzochi is in the top three of her senior class, but beyond the classroom, she is a leader and a trailblazer. She serves as Black Student Union vice president, president of the National Honor Society, and founder of her school’s Fashion Club. She is also an active member of the Big Sisters, Big Brothers organization and serves as a member of the City of Murrieta Teen Advisory Council, working to engage youth in community events and library programs. “She is also a talented musician; she has played bassoon since fifth grade and is part of Mesa’s Concert Band,” Richards said. “As the daughter of Nigerian immigrants, Uzochi carries with her the resilience and determination of her parents, who faced hardships but instilled in her a deep appreciation of the opportunities before her.” Uzochi plans to major in biology as a pre-med student to become either an oncologist or an epidemiologist. When her family moved to California as she was starting high school, Uzochi chose this change as a new start and a way to re-dedicate herself to her goals and her passions. “I am proud to be an inspiration for aspiring, young Black girls in medicine,” she said. “I am passionate about making a difference within the lives of others, living forever by the John Steinbeck quote, ‘And now that you don’t have to be perfect, you can be good.’ Thank you to all of those who have been good to me.”
Claire Todd
Murrieta Valley High School Principal Stephen Diephouse introduced Claire as a full IB diploma student who is in the top 10 of her graduating class. “It’s not just about grades for Claire; it’s about the drive to learn, to grow, and to make a meaningful impact on the world around her,” he said. Claire is a four-year varsity girls’ lacrosse player, serving as team captain for the past two seasons. Diephouse said she is an integral part of the school’s award-winning mock trial team, where this year she excelled as the pre-trial attorney, earning a well-deserved third-place individual award out of 22 schools in Riverside County that were competing. She has also dedicated her time as a volunteer attorney for the Southwest Valley Youth Court, a collaborative program between the City of Murrieta, the Murrieta Police Department, and the Southwest Riverside County Juvenile Justice System. She plans to pursue a degree in International Relations to attend law school and become an attorney. Claire said she is grateful for the opportunity to be part of the youth court program. “My involvement has both broadened my perspective and taught me more about our legal system,” she said. Teacher and Mock Trial Advisor/Coach Todd Thornburg said, “In my teaching career, I don’t know if I’ve ever met anyone who has pursued excellence with as much integrity and fortitude as Claire. To be good at anything takes effort, but to be excellent takes sacrifice and pain, and Claire was willing to sacrifice.”
Nicholas Jimenez
Springs Charter School’s Principal Valerie Walker said Nicholas always volunteers first and is a talented guitar player. He plans to attend Mt. San Jacinto College to earn his general education credits and then attend a four-year university where he can explore his passions and pursue a career that truly makes him happy. Nicholas singled out teacher Kristine Valencia for always having the backs of students. “She has not just our interests as students, but as people and helps us not only learn academically but as people,” Nicholas said. He said the biggest life lesson he’s learned started in elementary school. “Strength comes from being kind and not letting your surroundings and other people and the hardships you’ve faced define you,” he said. “And to not let hate overcome you and alter the way you are. You should always treat others with decency and respect.” Nicholas said he was not treated that way growing up and learned that the strongest thing to do was to just smile and do the best he could. “Because in the end, hate only continues – it’s an endless cycle, and we should learn from these actions and continue to grow and use our introspection to become better people,” he said. Valencia said Nicholas has a dedication to learning, a passion for music, and an unwavering kindness towards everybody on campus. “His music is an extension of self-expression, a connection to history and culture, and a constant source of curiosity,” she said. “With his strong sense of purpose and commitment to self-discovery, there’s no doubt that Nicholas will continue to pursue his passion and make a meaningful impact wherever he goes.”
Trish Hoang
Vista Murrieta High School Assistant Principal Lloyd Dunn read an introduction from Principal Celeste Scallion, who could not attend the breakfast. “For the past four years, Trish has been a dedicated AVID student, pushing herself academically and never backing down from a challenge,” she wrote. Trish serves as president of four clubs: GSA, Creative Writing, ASL and Film. “As an unaccompanied minor, with her mother living out of state and her father not in the picture, she has faced challenges that could easily have held her back,” Scallion said. “Instead, she has risen above it, using adversity as fuel to work harder, dream bigger and support those around her. She has also overcome language barriers as an English learner, proving that hard work and perseverance can turn obstacles into stepping stones.” Trish said her freshman year was a blur, and her sophomore and junior years were some of the most difficult times of her life. “It’s not because of the rigorous coursework, which was also a factor, but I was diagnosed with PTSD along with depression and anxiety,” she said. “Yet I used my experience to do my best and help others by being involved with school.” She plans to major in literature at UCSD with a second major or minor in art. She wants to eventually become a concept writer and artist at a studio, creating shows and movies to spread the message of awareness and acceptance for all. Math teacher and GSA club advisor David Sybrandy said, “It has been a privilege to see Trish grow as a leader.”
For more information or to participate in the program, please contact LouEllen Ficke at 951-415-2250 or Sally Myers at 951-775-0520.
