The Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce Student of the Month program, recognizing and inspiring academic excellence since the 1992-1993 school year, held its most recent awards breakfast on Feb. 12 at the Murrieta Sizzler restaurant, 40489 Murrieta Hot Springs Rd.
Sally Myers of BMW Management/Sizzler restaurants, who founded the nonprofit program that partners with the Chamber, emceed the event. She welcomed everyone and shared the mission of the local high school recognition program, which sets the criteria for student selection.
Supported by the community, college- or vocational/trade school-bound seniors are acknowledged and honored for their character, love of learning, willingness to participate in numerous activities such as campus events, athletics, and community service, and their ability to persevere and overcome difficult life circumstances. They accomplish all this in a setting that honors God, country, community, family, and free enterprise.
Backpacks filled with gifts, certificates of recognition, and much 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.
February’s students of the month are Chaparral High School’s Allison Hoang, Great Oak’s Shanwei “David” Jiang, Linfield Christian’s Noelle Hong, Rancho Vista’s Reeyo Gene Paul P Mateo, Susan H. Nelson High School’s Chloe Holm, and Temecula Valley’s Sara Putman.
Allison Hoang
Chaparral High School Principal Tina Miller described Allison as being very passionate about her Vietnamese culture, and that has helped her gain a sense of belonging on campus. She has also been part of JROTC all four years. “When you’re connected on campus, then you become a role model for other students to be connected on campus, too,” Miller said. Allison has enjoyed her time as part of Peer Leaders, led by Joseph Gilleland. “He reminded us that we didn’t have to be the smartest or the best tutor. But what really mattered was giving our best effort and building genuine relationships,” Allison said. “Peer Leaders introduced me to people from different backgrounds and stories, showing me that progress looks different for everyone. I began building meaningful relationships and engaging with others without allowing the fear of judgment to control me. I realized that growth comes not from perfection, but from simply choosing to try.” Gilleland has known Allison for three years. “She’s a leader of our JROTC program, our drill squad, and president of VSA (Vietnamese Student Association),” he said. “It’s impossible to list all the ways that she tries to make the school a better place. Her spirit goes far beyond just what she does on the school campus.”
Shanwei “David” Jiang
Great Oak High School Principal Amber Lane said David demonstrates integrity in the way he consistently shows up focused, reliable, and authentic. “He fully embraces what makes him unique, balancing discipline with, in his own words, a slightly unorthodox perspective that makes him both respected amongst his peers and teachers and memorable on the Great Oak campus.” He plans to focus on a degree in Asian American studies, where he can explore his culture more deeply and better understand his place within the broader Asian American community. “As a member and now co-president of my school’s chapter of the National Honor Society, I’ve had plenty of experience with giving back to those around me,” David said. IB History teacher Stacey Moore said she has taught a lot of impressive students in her 24 years of teaching. “Every once in a while, I have a student who truly stands out in all of the branches of Great Oak spirit in a way that’s not only impressive but humbling as well. It’s a gift to educate these students, and David stands out amongst the very best.” As a sophomore, he organized the incredibly popular esports club and is still the driver of that club today. David is a member of MU Alpha Theta, California Scholarship Federation, Spanish National Honor Society, and the Chinese Culture Club.
Noelle Hong
Linfield Christian High School Assistant Principal Dani Hawes is also Noelle’s volleyball coach, alongside her husband Eric Hawes. Based on their experience, Dani Hawes said the best word she can use to describe this outstanding senior is “selfless.” Noelle said going on mission trips through her school changed her perspective. Prior to the trips, she was afraid of being uncomfortable, of not knowing the language perfectly, and of all the unknowns that come from leaving what’s familiar. “I found that it is much easier to serve when it’s convenient, but much harder when going out of your comfort zone,” she said. “When God placed an opportunity before me, what started as simply filling a spot became one of the most transformative decisions of my life. At a children’s home in Rosarito, Mexico, I met orphans who had every reason to be discouraged. Yet they radiated so much joy. Their happiness wasn’t rooted in comfort or abundance. It came from gratitude for what they had rather than resentment for what they didn’t. I went there thinking I was bringing something to them, but they gave something to me, which is perspective.” Noelle said she realized that what feels small to her can be life-changing to someone else. “I realized that stepping into discomfort is often where the greatest growth happens,” she said.
Reeyo Gene Paul P Mateo
Rancho Vista High School Principal David Schlottman met Reeyo and his sister Amaro about a year and a half ago when they came to the United States from the Philippines. An excellent student from the beginning, Reeyo did experience an adjustment period because school is different here. In the Philippines, the students stay in one class the whole time, and the teachers rotate, whereas here the students rotate to different classrooms every hour. Reeyo is part of the school’s vibrant ASB program. “One of the biggest lessons that I have learned, and I will continue to live by when I am in college, is to always be a good person,” he said. “Even if nothing comes back in return, it’s not about the reward you get. It’s about who you choose to be. Even when no one is watching, always stay kind. Being a good person doesn’t require a reason, only a good and kind heart. Being kind is not a strategy; it’s a decision. In a world where you can be anything, always be kind.” Reeyo plans to pursue a career in nursing. World History teacher Sean Morse said a word he thought about in relation to Reeyo was consistency. “Consistency in his work is one thing, but Reeyo consistently had detailed and deep answers to these historical questions I would often pose in our class,” Morse said.
Chloe Holm
David Schlottman, Susan H. Nelson Principal, said, “Overall, Chloe is a true friend, a compassionate and creative person who wants to be in a helping profession. And she is already someone who sees the beauty in the world and wants to share it with those around her.” An obstacle Chloe had to overcome was being diagnosed with epilepsy after suffering a massive seizure during lunch in her sophomore year. The rest of the school year was spent in the home hospital program, while she continued to have seizures every week. “Life brought many challenges from fatigue, headaches, doctor appointments, and constant worry,” Chloe said. “During this time, my family supported me more than I could have ever imagined. Junior year, I was blessed to attend Susan H. Nelson. This allowed me to work from home.” She said that during the past two years at the school, she grew to be more independent, responsible, understanding, and resilient. Her fields of study are leaning toward the medical field and nature as she loves helping people and animals. Teacher Debra Washko said, “Chloe doesn’t just complete assignments, she transforms them, bringing a unique aesthetic vision and innovative problem-solving skills to everything she touches.” She also praised Chloe’s unique and beautiful artwork, saying it is always moving and touching.
Sara Putman
Temecula Valley High School Principal Donna Lione shared that Sara is a four-year AVID student who has a passion for math and science. She joined the inaugural season of flag football and is playing in her fourth year as a pitcher on the softball team. “She’s the co-president for Pause for the Cause and was an inaugural member of our Golden Guides this year,” Lione said. Before sharing her story, Sara said, “I’d like to take a moment to thank my mom for always pushing me to do my best in school and life and for staying strong and being my support throughout our toughest days.” When Sara was in eighth grade, her father unexpectedly passed away two days after Christmas. “He was my best friend, a person I looked up to, and my softball coach,” she said. “My mom was my rock, even though she was grieving herself. She stayed so strong for my brother, who was only five years old. I did a lot of self-reflection and came to realize that my life could still be great. Through journaling and self-care, I realized that although I cannot bring my dad back, I can and should appreciate the people who are in my life.” Sara plans to study mechanical engineering and work in the aerospace industry in the future.
For more information, please contact Program Chair Liz Schuch at 951-676-5090 or liz@temecula.org.
