Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians
Special to Valley News
Middle and high school students at Noli Indian School on the Soboba Reservation were honored for their outstanding performances in the first semester of the 2025-2026 academic year. Principal Donovan Post greeted supportive friends and family members who attended the ceremony at the Soboba Sports Complex on Jan. 29.
“It takes a team effort, not just the staff, but with the families, too,” Post said. “It takes working together to get things done and this is the end result of the love and support you provide. We have students who are successful and moving forward so we appreciate you for everything you do.”
The celebration was divided into two sessions, which began with the middle school. Emcee Jacquelin Phillips announced the students who made the Honor Roll by earning a GPA of 3.0-3.49. They are Gabriel Gladin, Jose Leon, Ayashe Miranda, Meeqas Soto, Ashwut Castello, Carter Covington, Veronica Kolb, Aswet Luna-Malone, Mary Rose Morreo, and Ashkii Ortiz.
The next group called to the front to receive their medal and certificate were those who made the Distinguished Honor Roll with a GPA of 3.5-3.99. Those students are Jaylynne Lagunas, Nayelli Miranda, Tulovat Temanxwanvish, Aiyana Diaz, Navaya Masiel, Josiah Porter, Aydreean Garcia, Sally Lopez-Reyes, Nadillyn Mendoza, Monica Rivera, and Avasily Temanxwanvish.
One outstanding student received a medal, certificate, and Principal’s Award plaque for a perfect 4.0 GPA. Sixth-grader Marilyn Mendoza was congratulated and recognized for this achievement.
Post then announced, “We have one child in the entire school who has that perfect attendance and Ms. Phillips added a Starbucks gift card to her award because this is something that is very difficult to get these days. This award is like one of those 300-win pitchers. It’s something you just don’t see anymore so it’s an outstanding achievement. Congratulations Avasily Temanxwanvish.”
Teachers were asked to vote for the student in each grade they felt demonstrated the best leadership/citizenship qualities, the one who showed outstanding improvement and the one who best embodies the school’s core values of the 3Rs—respect, responsibility and reflection.
Phillips announced the middle school students singled out for Outstanding Citizenship awards. They are Jose Leon, Aswet Luna-Malone, and Monica Rivera. Those who earned 3R awards are Marilyn Mendoza, Mary Rose Morreo, and Aydreean Garcia.
Post introduced the Outstanding Improvement students and said he loves giving out this award each year because these students do something out of the ordinary. He said they don’t give up and show a lot of resilience, perseverance, and the ability to get outside their comfort zone and ask for help.
“This could mean asking a teacher for extra help, working with a tutor or finding a friend to help them overcome an obstacle,” he said. “To me, this award shows a lot more of what these kids have going on. I find that these kids will be successful in college and beyond because it’s all about overcoming obstacles. It doesn’t matter how gifted you are academically or financially; everyone runs into a wall at some point, and these kids have shown that they can figure it out or know where to get help to climb over that wall and keep moving forward. That’s why I think this award means a lot to me.”
He congratulated the following middle school students who came forward to receive their medal and certificate. They are Kyle Kolb, Navaya Masiel, and Sukutt Morreo.
Individual teachers gave certificates to students who have gone over and beyond in their classrooms. Tashina Ornelas teaches culture classes for sixth graders this year. She said all her students did great in the first semester with almost all of them earning an A.
“I’m looking for a student who pushes beyond and isn’t just doing what I expect them to do or what I ask them to do,” she said. “They are trying to help me out, they are making a point every day to be here, and they make the effort and to give back to the community too. So, one of the students who has been really good for me in Beading Club as well is Jaylynne Lagunas. She is a great student and is always pushing herself so I’m really proud of her.”
English teacher Emma Herrera recognized students she felt made connections with the subject and put forth great effort. They are Sally Lopez-Reyes and Aydreean Garcia. She also teaches eighth-grade culture classes and said Avasily Temanxwanvish and Samuel Venegas exhibited the core values and great attitude she was looking for in her students.
Sabrina Smith teaches science and assists Andrea Duran with the AVID program. She presented Aiyana Diaz and Monica Rivera with AVID awards. Sixth-grade students who had their first introduction to AVID and responded well to learning about the program are Marilyn Mendoza, Jose Leon, and Gabriel Gladin.
Receiving Excellence in Science certificates are Jaylynne Lagunas, Tulovat Temanxwanvish, Nayelli Miranda, Ashkii Ortiz, Aiyana Diaz, Avasily Temanxwanvish, and Monica Rivera.
“These students are not just strong in science, but they are students who have persisted through any struggle,” Smith said. “These are students who have offered to help other students, to be leaders in that class.”
History teacher Justin Thillens gave awards for Scholarly Excellence to Jose Leon, Marilyn Mendoza, Mary Rose Morreo, and Nadillyn Mendoza. Awardees who showed the spirit of historical inquiry, got really interested in the content and material, and asked lots of questions were Aswet Luna-Malone and Gabriel Gladin.
Excellence in Math awards were received by Monica Rivera, Sally Lopez-Reyes, and Avasily Temanxwanvish. Their teacher, Kekei Bryant, also treated them with a Raising Cane’s gift certificate. Jonathon Ruiz, who teaches math for grades 6 and 7, along with his duties as Athletic Director for the school and Physical Education teacher, awarded certificates for excellence in math to sixth graders Jaylynne Lagunas, Jose Leon, Marilyn Mendoza, Ayashe Miranda, Tulovat Temanxwanvish, and Nayelli Miranda. Seventh-grade math students he honored are Ashwut Castello, Veronica Kolb, Mary Rose Morreo, and Josiah Porter.
Excellence in Physical Education went to students who are working hard. They are Avasily Temanxwanvish, Brian Moreno-Ortiz, Monica Rivera, Ashkii Ortiz, and Kisil Morreo.
The award for Leadership in Drama went to Sally Lopez-Reyes.
Phillips, who also teaches reading, gave awards to outstanding and most improved English students. They are Tulovat Temanxwanvish, Aiyana Diaz and Ever Lopez Reyes.
Summer Herrera teaches art and culture classes, and she gave awards to Josiah Porter and Aydreean Rose Garcia.
With a short break between the celebrations, some parents and other family members stayed in their seats in the bleachers because they have multiple students at Noli. Post welcomed all the attendees as high school students took their seats.
“We are teachers, and we are also parents, so we understand everything that goes into helping your kids be successful, so thank you for all you do,” he said. “As much as we want to reward the students for everything they’ve done, we have to thank parents and other family members who have contributed to their success through love and support.”
High school Honor Roll students are Phyllis Morreo, Jeffrey Arres, Howard Lomas-Toro, Davina Masiel, Akwaalimay Resvaloso, Monique Russell, Edgar Gladin, Selaya Helms, Juan Flores, Kenneth Razon, Francisco Lemus, and Leland Razon.
Distinguished Honor Roll students are Ani Hampton, Tam Hurtado, Hazel Lopez-Reyes, Henry Romero Rios, Nevaeh Ochoa, Myah Saenz, Ronald Morillo, Sophia Resvaloso, and Shawna Rivera.
The Principal’s Award for those with 4.0 and above GPAs were earned by Marilyn Mendoza, Victoria Boiso, Samantha Gladin, Elizabeth Lehuede, Harlow Ortiz, Kolokomay Temanxwanvish, and Eric Hampton.
Outstanding Citizenship awards went to Henry Romero-Rios, Akwaalimay Resvaloso, Shawna Rivera, and Victoria Boiso.
Celine “CJ” Hollingsworth, Tla’Loc Galvan, Brian Lagunas, and Serena Hawk were rewarded for their outstanding improvement during the first semester.
High schoolers who were voted by teachers as the best representatives of the school’s core values of the 3Rs—respect, responsibility and reflection are Harlow Ortiz, Kolokolomay Temanxwanvish, Myah Saenz, and Sophia Resvaloso.
Ornelas returned to present awards for those who excel in her Beading I and Cultural Materials classes. She said her students are all doing well so she had to look to those who have been showing extra effort since day one. She chose Christopher Lagunas, Victoria Boiso, Harlow Ortiz, Celine “CJ” Hollingsworth, and Kolokolomay Temanxwanvish.
Thillens gave two different awards for students in his 10-12 grade history classes. Those receiving Scholarly Excellence awards are Henry Romero Rios, Eric Hampton, and Sophia Resvaloso. Recipients of his Exultation of Historical Inquiry are Jeffrey Arres, Brian Lagunas, and Edgar Gladin. Francisco Lemus and Serena Hawk earned a Certificate of Civic Merit, given to those who advocate for themselves.
Ruiz gave four awards to PE students who were chosen for their good habits. They are Eric Hampton, Ronald Morillo, Juan Flores, and Jeffrey Arres.
High School Science teacher Jay Dagostino presented Edgar Gladin with an Excellence in Solar Electric for his great dedication to learning the trade and a Certificate for Excellence in Biology to Hazel Lopez Reyes for always going over and beyond on all projects, labs and assignments.
Students earning awards for their outstanding performance in Andrea Duran’s Spanish classes are Victoria Boiso, Samantha Gladin, Henry Romero Rios, Kolokolomay Temanxwanvish, and Nevaeh Ochoa.
One student from each grade level was chosen by Duran for all their hard work and dedication within the AVID program. They are Elizabeth Lehuede, Henry Romero Rios, Eric Hampton, and Ronald Morillo.
Sabrina Smith selected Harlow Ortiz and Samantha Gladin as standouts in her Honors Biology class. Eric Hampton, Shawna Rivera, and Myah Saenz were singled out for asking challenging questions and helping other students in her Oceanography class.
Bryant recognized her math students for their efforts. Myah Saenz, “who does amazing work every single day,” and Eric Hampton, who she said she has had the pleasure of having as a student for four years, were among those honored. Other Algebra students she awarded certificates to are Victoria Boiso, Harlow Ortiz, Hazel Lopez Reyes, Sophia Resvaloso, Samantha Gladin, and Elizabeth Lahuede. Kolokolomay Temanxwanvish is at the top of the class in geometry.
English teacher Emma Herrera said it is a very challenging subject, and she works to make assignments relevant. Those who stood out as not only producing great work but participating in class are Elizabeth Lehuede, Samantha Gladin, Victoria Boiso, Jerimyah Saenz, and Henry Romero Rios.
She said the juniors and seniors have a lot more mandatory work to do and those who have exceeded her expectations are Akwaalimay Resvaloso, Eric Hampton, Myah Saenz, Edgar Gladin, Shawna Rivera, Sophia Resvaloso, and Ronald Morillo.
Summer Herrera presented Hazel Lopez Reyes with a Cultural Excellence award. Celine “CJ” Hollingsworth received the Leadership in Drama award as well as one for Excellence in Reading.
Phillips also presented senior Serena Hawk with an Excellence in English award and Edgar Gladin received a certificate for Excellence in Consumer Education.
Post said all teachers look forward to seeing even more students at future Academic Awards Celebrations.
For more information, https://noliindianschool.net.
