The Lake Elsinore Valley Chamber of Commerce Student of the Month program, honoring students who make a difference in their schools and communities, held its most recent luncheon celebration at the Lakeside High School Lancer Round Table Café on Nov. 4. Lunch was prepared and served by members of the Lakeside Culinary Academy.
Program founder Sally Myers, of BMW Management/Sizzler Restaurants, emceed the event, marking its 33rd year in collaboration with the Lake Elsinore Valley Chamber of Commerce. She welcomed all guests and explained the nonprofit program’s mission that acknowledges and honors college or trade school-bound seniors for their character, love of learning, and commitment to academics, in addition to participation in athletics, school activities, and community service. It also commends those who have persevered through challenging life circumstances, all in a setting that honors God, country, family, community, and free enterprise.
Large tote bags filled with gifts, certificates of recognition, and much more donated by the program’s sponsors, were given to the award recipients. Each student received a commemorative medallion and 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.
November’s students of the month are Elsinore High School’s Tyler Willeford and Tsubaki Yamakita, Keith McCarthy Academy’s Emerson Castro, Lakeside High School’s Victoria Contreras and Landen Huyck, Ortega High School’s Alyssa Day, and Temescal Canyon High School’s Evan Katsouridis and Addisyn Myers.
Elsinore High School
Tyler Willeford was described by Principal Pauline Leavitt as a dedicated athlete on the football team and a catcher on the baseball team. She said he not only wins on the field but also in his academics with a 4.4 GPA. His teachers describe him as a role model, hardworking, relentless when it comes to supporting his team, and doing well in his classes. He has grit and good sportsmanship.” Tyler wants to major in the science field in college, something he has always found interesting. “The biggest life lesson I’ve learned is adaptability,” he said. “Overcoming and adapting to things will help me a lot at the next level.” Head football coach and science teacher Randy Kirschman said, “What really makes Tyler stand out, not only in our football program but on our campus, is that he has a great determination to pursue excellence. He sets a standard both academically and athletically for all of our students to follow. He shows a high level of mental and physical toughness. He’s an inspiration to a lot of people on our campus.”
Tsubaki Yamakita was introduced by Principal Leavitt as a “student-athlete to the core.” She is a League champion, a CIF finalist in track and field and All-League in flag football. “With a GPA of 4.2, she is currently earning all As in AP, Honors and college classes,” Leavitt said. “Her teachers describe her as remarkable, having intrinsic determination, well-rounded and hard working.” Tsubaki plans to major in biology before entering medical school to become a doctor. She said her best event is the 100-meter hurdles, and she has played flag football for the past two years. She lived in Japan until she was eight years old and spoke no English when she came to America. “The biggest life lesson I learned is to keep giving effort and get past any obstacles to achieve a big goal, no matter how impossible it may seem.” Head track and field coach Jeff Hodges said Tsubaki is a triple jumper in addition to her hurdling skills. “She’s an amazing young lady and I’m proud to have coached her,” he said. “Your tenacity and hard work are always seen” he told the outstanding student-athlete.
Keith McCarthy Academy singled out Emerson Castro as November’s honoree. Teacher Raul Kohl has taught Emerson in three different courses for the past three years and said she is “curious, kind and genuinely engaged with the world around her.” Emerson said academics were never easy for her while she was growing up. She admits that in her sophomore year her grades were as low as her energy level, and she felt stuck in a hole she had dug for herself. “Now I can picture a future for myself, one with a passion to work with exotic animals, helping them be the voice that they don’t have,” Emerson said. “The most significant life lesson I learned at KMA is to always surround yourself with people who love you. More specifically, those who don’t need you to fix yourself to be loved by them.” Science teacher Theresa Pepe said, “Emerson has shown tremendous growth during her time at KMA. Despite facing significant health challenges, she has demonstrated remarkable resilience and determination. She truly came to embody what our school stands for—independence, responsibility and self-advocacy.”
Lakeside High School
Victoria Contreras was introduced by Principal Jason Eldridge as someone he sees on campus every single day. He said she has big aspirations to work in the medical field. Victoria said she plans to enroll in a UC nursing program after graduation. “Growing up I always dreamed of becoming a pediatrician but with a little research, I discovered it takes 11 to 15 years of education and training, so I chose to pursue nursing instead,” she said. “I hope to one day be a labor and delivery or NICU nurse to focus on helping children; I always feel joy in helping others.” Victoria admitted to struggling with communication skills throughout her school years and stayed to herself while always overthinking conversations she had with others. “But with help from AVID and the amazing teachers, I learned to feel confident in myself,” she said. AVID coordinator and teacher Lisa Ogden said she has seen Victoria blossom in the past two years from a very reserved student to becoming a peer tutor and more. “She is always dependable and is doing an excellent job,” Ogden said. “I have loved watching her challenge herself.”
Landen Huyck was described as a high-end lacrosse player, a sport that is not offered at his school. He hopes to attend UCLA to major in mathematics. “Growing up, I’ve always been interested in and had a passion for anything numbers,” he said, adding that the possibilities and challenges that come with mathematics continue to awe and inspire him. Landen has been in AVID for the past three years and recently became an AVID tutor. “This year I debated my way into becoming the chairman of our debate club,” he said. He is also part of the environmental club, hoping to make a change within the community. “My teachers know they can rely on me to volunteer and be a leader within the classroom,” Landen said. AVID coordinator Michelle Henricks described Landen as being “old school,” which she explained is a person who seems wise, mature and thoughtful beyond their years. It describes psychological and behavioral traits like a strong sense of self, emotional maturity and introspection and a preference for deep connections over fleeting trends. “I believe that’s who Landen is,” Henricks said.
Ortega High School chose to recognize Alyssa Day this month. She enrolled at Ortega with only 95 credits but as soon as she arrived and received the support she needed, it was like having a weight lifted off her back. “I even got physically healthier because I was no longer constantly stressed out,” Alyssa said. “I learned I have potential.” Her grades went from Ds and Fs to straight As and she has perfect attendance. She plans to attend Mt. San Jacinto College to study child development, then continue her education at UC, Riverside to eventually become a special education teacher with the Lake Elsinore Unified School District. “I want o remind everyone that no matter how deep in a hole you are, there is always a way out and you can do absolutely anything you put your mind to,” Alyssa said. “I believe in you, and you should believe in yourself, too.” U.S. History and Ethnic Studies teacher Richard Roumimper said, “As educators, we inspire, nurture, motivate and engage students every day. Every once in a while, you meet somebody who turns that on you and that person is Alyssa.”
Temescal Canyon High School
Evan Katsouridis was described by Temescal Canyon Principal Josh Hill as a leader in ASB and as captain of the varsity football team. Evan plans to major in business when he attends college. “I have chosen business because all my life my dad has created multiple businesses of his own and seeing his accomplishments has inspired me to get the same degree and start a business of my own,” Evan said. “I believe the biggest life lesson I have learned is to be disciplined.” Through his involvement in leadership and sports, he said being disciplined is a way to work hard and push yourself to be the best you can. “It builds skills that will eventually lead me to success, and it will allow me to focus on the goals I have set for myself,” Evan said. Head football coach Derek Hill has known Evan for the past 10 years. “In the past, our football team did not have a captain, but it changed this year because of Evan,” Hill said. “He has done everything right and Evan leads by example, whether that’s on campus, on the field or in the community.”
Addisyn Myers was introduced by Principal Hill as a member of the Health and Medical Careers Academy and a varsity golfer. Addisyn plans to attend UC, Irvine to major in biology before enrolling in medical school to eventually become a cardiothoracic surgeon. “I’ve always been fascinated with concepts of science and math and the way that things work,” she said. “I am driven by the idea of helping others through medicine and science.” Addisyn credits her involvement in the Health and Medical Careers Academy with deepening her interest in being part of the medical field due to the involved teachers she has had there. “Most importantly, they taught me how to stay dedicated and curious,” she said. Addisyn became captain of the golf team as a junior and was named All-League MVP. “The biggest lesson I learned is that setting high expectations for yourself will lead to success,” she said. “Whether in academics, sports or personal growth, determination can take you far.” Math teacher Jordan Bedley said, “Addisyn is definitely one of the smartest students I’ve ever known; she’s an impressive all-around young lady.”
For more information on the program, please contact Kim Joseph Cousins at 951-245-8848 or Donna Romo at Donnajromo@aol.com.
