The Hemet/San Jacinto Student of the Month program held its most recent recognition breakfast at the Maze Stone at Soboba Springs Golf Course on Oct. 9. Seven local high school seniors were recognized and honored for their character, love of learning and commitment to academics in addition to their involvement in school and community activities and their ability and resiliency in overcoming difficult life challenges. And they do this all in a setting that honors God, country, family, community and free enterprise. Students are nominated by teachers or other school personnel for making a difference in their homes, schools and communities.
Local program founder and Student of the Month Committee member Karena Zermeno-Leon emceed the event. Each student was invited to the podium to share their personal story, past and/or current 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 from Hemet Unified School District are Emily Campos, Amaya Garcia, Natalie Lovett Jensen and Zena Pastrana. San Jacinto Unified honorees for October are Erik Diaz, Angel Sanchez and Christian “CJ” Viramontes.
Hemet Unified School District
Emily Campos
Alessandro High School Principal Matthew Centofranchi said Emily is on a path to making the right decisions, building a path for her future. Emily said that something she learned in her civics class helped her change her perspective on school. “My teacher said to treat school like I would my job—show up, clock in, do the work,” she said. “Now I see my report card like I do a paycheck. My hard work is paying off, and I am currently a straight-A student.” Last year, her English teacher told her she had “teacher energy” and those words stayed with Emily. She plans to major in psychology at Mt. San Jacinto College to become a teacher or therapist. “In the future, I want to give back to my community by using my education to guide and support others,” she said. “The most important lesson I will take with me to college is the idea of sonder, the realization that every person has a life as vivid and complex as your own,” Emily said. “Remembering that concept has taught me patience and understanding and this reminds me every day to treat people with kindness because we never truly know what someone may be going through. I want to thank Alessandro for giving me a second chance; real change starts with all of us.”
Amaya Garcia
Hamilton High School Principal Kari Sanchez explained that her school is unique in that it serves students in grades 6-12. She said Amaya enrolled as an eighth grader after having experienced some adversity in her life. Art teacher Rose Fickes nominated Amaya for recognition this month and said she stands out for her creativity and leads by example. The senior was unable to attend the ceremony due to the passing of her grandmother but she prepared a speech that Fickes read on her behalf. Amaya said her single mother taught her what real strength looks like even when things get hard. “I work while going to school which isn’t always easy, but it taught me how to manage my time, stay responsible and push through even when I’m tired,” she wrote. “I believe my greatest contribution is my resilience, refusing to give up no matter what I’ve been through. Growing up, I faced many challenges from leaving loved ones to experiencing trauma that no child should ever face. I struggled with depression and anxiety and there were moments when life felt unbearable.” She plans to attend San Diego Mesa College and eventually study medicine. “My dream is to become a doctor,” Amaya said. “I want to be proof that it’s possible to rise from anything.”
Natalie Lovett Jensen
Hemet High School chose to honor Natalie for October and teacher James Walsh read comments from counselor Dawn Sonnier who co-nominated her but could not attend the breakfast. Sonnier has known Natalie since she was a young girl growing up in Idyllwild. Of the 564 seniors in her class, Natalie is ranked second. She hopes to attend UCLA’s nursing program after graduation. Natalie said, “When I was 10 years old, my oldest sister overdosed on opioids. This was a huge burden of grief for my whole family and something that changed my perspective on life forever. My parents, grief stricken and angry at the world, began to take their frustrations out on me. Between the belittling I faced at home and the bullying I faced from my peers at school, I lived in constant feelings of unworthiness. My insecurity loomed over me like a storm waiting to break.” After battling low self-esteem in her middle school years, Natalie began to dedicate herself to her schoolwork. She said the classroom provided a space for her where she felt confident and capable. This helped her to develop a passion for learning. She was also able to take on volunteer work at her church. After her speech, Principal Jeff Franks told her, “Natalie, there is nothing small about the impact you make on all of us.”
Zena Pastrana
West Valley High School ASB and yearbook teacher Billy Valenzuela has been a mentor to Zena for the past three years. In trying to sum up the outstanding senior in one word, he decided on “dynamo.” He said she generates power and a consistent positive school spirit. “She always has a can-do spirit that is infectious to others and makes the entire school a better place,” Valenzuela said. Zena is a four-sport varsity athlete, competing in swim, water polo, volleyball and the school’s first girls’ flag football team. “Under her leadership, we have some of the highest participation rates the school has ever seen and this creates a positive experience for all students,” he said. Zena believes her greatest contribution to her school is her positive attitude and her willingness to be a helpful role model. She plans to attend Riverside Community College before heading to dental school to become an orthodontist. “A major challenge during high school was when my mom had kidney failure,” Zena said. “The strongest woman in my life needed help from medical professionals and me.” This created feelings of anxiety and stress at home, affecting the entire family. Her mother has since received a successful kidney transplant. “The major takeaway is that God will provide the strength to help you with your trials so that we may overcome the greatest pains in life,” Zena said.
San Jacinto Unified School District
Erik Diaz
San Jacinto High School chose to honor Erik, who Principal Lloyd Sheppard recalled meeting in 2019 when they were at the same event and both sporting bowties. Industrial Wood Technology teacher Roy Castillo told Erik, “Your pursuit of commitment and willingness to not hesitate in participation will continue to set you aside and showcase your achievements.” Angel has been captain of the cross-country team since his sophomore year and was named his team’s MVP last season. He has won trophies for his outstanding table woodwork. “Outside of athletics and academics, I’m actively involved in extracurricular activities such as Tiger Media Design, which is a club focused on photography; Tiger Media Network, which focuses on video production and live streaming; and I’m also a proud member of our MEChA Club, which helps promote Latino culture within our school and the broader community.” Participating in track since sixth grade and then joining the wrestling team, Erik found himself in an emotionally unstable place when he suffered a sports injury last year that sidelined him for four months. After high school, he plans to serve a mission for his church and then hopes to attend Brigham Young University alongside his brother, studying something related to woodworking or photography. “These are two of my passions which I’ve grown to love, especially during my injury,” Erik said.
Angel Sanchez
Mountain View High School selected Angel as its Student of the Month. His teacher Tricia Ochoa said when Angel first arrived at the school he was not always motivated regarding academics and that he didn’t always believe in himself. “What makes Angel truly stand out is the way he decided to turn that story around,” Ochoa said. “Through effort, maturity, and a genuine commitment to improving, Angel transformed his attitude toward learning.” He said, “Being at Mountain View for two years has taught me to be a better version of myself. An important lesson I’ve learned is that you can accomplish anything in life if you put your effort and dedication towards the goal you are trying to achieve.” Angel said the hardest thing he had to overcome when he started at the school was his shyness. But he was able to adapt and flourish and is now on track to graduate early. “If there is anyone that feels the same way I felt just remember, you’re a human being—keep going forward no matter what occurs in life,” Angel said. “There will be ups and downs in life and it’s your choice if you want to keep going or stay in the same place you are in.” He plans to attend MSJC with the eventual goal of opening his own electrician business.
Christian “CJ” Viramontes was chosen to represent San Jacinto Leadership Academy. Since enrolling at the school at the end of eighth grade, his history teacher Alfredo Gonzalez said CJ became a leader in his class. He said he has no doubt that no matter what, CJ will overcome any obstacle that comes his way. “Every day we are faced with some sort of decision,” CJ said. “The decisions you make today, tomorrow, and the next day matter.” He said he learned that lesson firsthand. Before he made the decision to attend SJLA, he had suicidal thoughts, depression and mentally was not there. “I was broken,” he said. “Getting welcomed to SJLA by every cadet (student) was amazing.” CJ said he didn’t think about attending college until one of his teachers changed his mind through encouragement. Now he plans to attend MSJC to major in journalism. He said the two most important people in his life are his grandfather and his mother. He then addressed Principal Mike Luna. “Mr. Luna, thank you for giving a kid with no hope a reason. Every conversation you have, not only with me but with all students, we cherish it,” CJ said. “We see your hard work and for that we thank you.”
For more information, www.studentofthemonth.net.
