The Perris Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Menifee Valley Chamber of Commerce held their first Student of the Month breakfast of the 2025-2026 school year at the Perris Sizzler, 91 West Nuevo Road on Sept. 10. Perris Union High School District Superintendent Jose Luis Araux emceed the event and explained the mission of the nonprofit organization that was founded by Sally Myers of BMW Management/Sizzler Restaurants.
“The Student of the Month program is a local high school recognition supported by our community to acknowledge, to honor college, vocational and trade school bound senior students for their character, for their love and passion for learning, for their commitment to academics, for their participation in school activities, for the ability to persevere or to overcome difficult life circumstances in a setting that honors God, that honors our country, our families, our community and our free enterprise,” Araux said.
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.
September’s students of the month are California Military Institute’s Ernesto Mejia Jr., Heritage High School’s Yiscel Perez Lopez, Liberty High’s Nevaeh Villalobos, Paloma Valley’s Miley Lundstrom, and Perris High School’s Eniece Ray.
California Military Institute Principal Michael Dodson introduced Cadet Lt. Ernesto Mejia Jr. by citing his impressive GPA of 4.36. “Ernesto excels both academically and athletically, participating in varsity basketball, cross country and track and field, all while serving as brigade staff for training and development. Despite his busy schedule, he always finds time to help others,” Dodson said. Ernesto hopes to attend UC Berkeley or an Ivy League college to earn a degree in biology and then pursue a graduate degree in paleobiology. “Ever since I can remember, I’ve been infatuated with the idea of dinosaurs,” he said. “I’m also a member of the debate club at my school.” His teacher and mentor Veronica Salcedo said, “I’m so proud of all he’s accomplished.”
Heritage High School Principal Jose Topete announced that Yiscel Perez Lopez was chosen to be honored this month. She said her family always encouraged her to pursue her dreams and she plans to become a medical office assistant. “The most important lesson in my life that I have learned so far is the importance of resilience in the face of adversity,” Yiscel said. “A lesson I will take with me to college and beyond is to always keep going even when things get tough in my future life.” Paraeducator Maria Estrada said, “When I first saw the quality of her work, I encouraged her to advocate for herself. She started making good decisions that will affect the rest of her life. She is now that confident young adult I was hoping to see.”
Nevaeh Villalobos is Liberty High School’s September Student of the Month and Principal Erika Rojas said she is a bright light whose energy is contagious. She is an ASB president, serves on the executive board for Model UN, is a member of the Environmental Justice Club and serves on School Site Council. “But it is difficult to introduce myself without mentioning the most impactful moment of my life, which is when I lost my father to cancer in 2022,” Nevaeh said. “To say this fundamentally changed and molded who I am feels like an understatement but it’s not always a bad thing. It taught me so much about myself and how I handle challenges.” Her goal is to pursue a career in foreign international relations, studying at UC, Berkeley or Trinity College Dublin in Ireland.
Paloma Valley High School’s Miley Lundstrom was singled out this month. Principal Thomas LaRochelle said he was honored to introduce Miley who is the top student academically on campus. “I had all the teachers nominate and she quickly became the consensus,” he said. “Miley is about grit and she’s about gratitude and generosity.” Miley said she feels her biggest contribution to her school and community is the enthusiasm she brings to everything she does. “I enjoy giving back and I’m excited to serve. I want to pursue a doctorate degree in history, specializing in medieval studies in Europe and I’d like to become a professor because all my teachers have meant so much to me and I want to make the same impact they made on me; that’s something that’s really important to me,” she said.
Eniece Ray is Perris High School’s choice for Student of the Month. Principal Ricardo Garcia described her as a tri-sport, year-round athlete playing volleyball, basketball, and track and field. “She balances her athletics with rigorous academic classes,” he said. Eniece said a lesson that she will take throughout life is to always challenge herself. Prior to high school she had never played any sports but tried out for some in her freshman year. “Sports has been a major impact on my life,” Eniece said. “It has given me so many opportunities. I faced lots of mental challenges, but sports pushed me and allowed me to become who I am today.” She plans to attend the University of Colorado, Denver to major in criminal justice and be in its ROTC program to eventually join the Marine Corps.
Closing remarks
Xochitl Trujillo, Administrative Asssistant to Superintendent Araux’s office, shared a closing comment from John Maxwell, an American author, motivational speaker, and pastor who has written books primarily focused on leadership. She played one of his many “Minute with Maxwell” recordings and this one was about the meaning of success. In part, he said, “You get the highest return in life from doing the things that you are good at in life. Always be growing, because that is what success is.”
To learn more about the Student of the Month Program, please contact founder Sally Myers at 951-506-8024.
