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 Oct. 13. Lunch was prepared and served by members of the Lakeside Culinary Academy.
Lakeside High School Principal Jason Eldridge emceed the event that has been recognizing Lake Elsinore Unified School District students since 1996. The nonprofit program’s mission is to acknowledge and honor 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.
October’s students of the month are Elsinore High School’s Bria Hofmann and Eric Walden, Keith McCarthy Academy’s Austin Long, Lakeside High School’s Jonathan Banuelos and Jessica Barba, Ortega High School’s Farrah Rosie Sanders, and Temescal Canyon High School’s Miguel Kercado and Allanah Thomas.
Elsinore High School
Bria Hofmann was introduced by Principal Pauline Leavitt as a senior who has been in cheer for four years and sports medicine for three years. Bria said, “A life lesson that I’ve taken many years to come to terms with is that letting go is okay because sometimes less is more. Throughout high school, it’s often misinterpreted that people without very many friends are weird or that maybe they’ve been left alone for a reason. Personally, I believe that being alone doesn’t have to equal to being lonely.” Bria said she used to be one of the biggest people pleasers anyone could have met. “But unfortunately, spending all of your time breaking yourself down to lift everyone else up gets very tiring,” she said. Bria hopes to attend San Diego State University and get a degree in sociology to become a social worker or become a paramedic after being licensed as an EMT.
Eric Walden was described by Principal Leavitt as the definition of school spirit. “He has been on our cheer team for four years. He has also been in sports medicine for four years, HOSA for four years, and this year in ASB,” she said. He hopes to earn a degree in business and minor in psychology and also be a medical device sales representative. Eric said he took the past four years to grow into the person he is today, getting involved with as many programs as he could. “I took initiative and I took Mt. San Jacinto College dual enrollment all four years of high school,” Eric said. “I pushed myself out of my comfort zone. I made sure that even if I was uncomfortable in the situation that I was joining in, to go for it and that’s what I did.” Eric plans to take that same mindset with him into the future.
Keith McCarthy Academy singled out Austin Long as October’s honoree. Principal Peter Hopping said Austin quickly found that KMA was a good fit for him after enrolling in his junior year. “He shared with me that he appreciates the flexibility, the ability to learn independently, work at his own pace, and complete schoolwork at times that are best for him and maybe not necessarily during traditional school hours,” Hopping said. Austin shared that he is taking two classes at Temescal Canyon so he can enjoy his senior year with friends he has had since kindergarten. “Volleyball is another big part of my life, and earning CIF Player of the Year this past season is something I’m extremely proud of,” he said. “After graduation, I plan to play volleyball at junior college, earn my associate’s degree, and hopefully become an electrician and one day own my own company. One lesson I’ve learned is that things will always get better, even when it doesn’t feel that way.”
Lakeside High School
Jonathan Banuelos was introduced by Principal Jason Eldridge as a quiet student who is well liked among staff, peers, and teachers throughout the campus. He is a member of the football, golf, and basketball teams. “I believe my greatest contribution to our community is the Special Olympics,” Jonathan said. “It’s hard work, but seeing all the athletes smiling out there made it all worth it in the end.” Teacher Claudia Rea said, “Johnny has faced obstacles and challenges throughout his life, but despite everything, he has continued to push forward. I’ve watched him grow in confidence, maturity, and character. That shy freshman has become a senior who is a leader and someone others can look up to.” She added that watching him grow during the past four years has truly been a privilege. After graduation, Jonathan wants to join the California Conservation Corps and become a firefighter.
Jessica Barba was described by Principal Eldridge as a student who is involved in a variety of things, from AVID to flag football to working on stem cell research. Jessica said, “In my honors anatomy class, I grew a fascination towards the study of the brain and spinal cord, which inspired me to take on a science project in partnership with the University of California, Riverside studying Parkinson’s disease and how it connects to stem cell research.” Jessica is co-president of Lakeside’s sports medicine program. “I am also the founder and president of the Women’s Support Association, where I have worked to create a comforting environment for everyone at Lakeside, and a space where we can come together to discuss ways to support women in need in our community,” she said. Jessica hopes to attend UC Berkeley and study neuroscience. “The biggest lesson I will carry with me is that I should never be afraid to embrace who I am, because the things that make us different are often the things that make us who we are.”
Ortega High School chose to recognize Farrah Rosie Sanders this month. Principal Lee Alfred said, “From the time that she walked on our campus, she has always moved with purpose. She knew exactly what she wanted and how she was going to get there.” Farrah said one of the greatest lessons she has learned is the importance of remaining humble. “I believe that true success is not measured only by recognition or achievements but also by the character you demonstrate, the lessons you learn, and the way you treat others along the way,” she said.” The most meaningful challenge I have overcome has been becoming a teen mom while continuing my education and working towards my goals. My journey has not always been easy, but through my faith and my strength, I have learned that my circumstances do not have a limit to my potential.” After graduating in December, Farrah plans to attend college and study forensic psychology as well as pursue her passions for acting, modeling, entrepreneurship, and the beauty industry.
Temescal Canyon High School
Miguel Kercado was described by Temescal Canyon Principal Josh Hill as a leader of leaders in his role as director of the introduction to ASB class for incoming freshmen. He also serves as one of the hype people at sporting events. “Miggy is a member of our volleyball team, won CIF last year, and he plays club volleyball when he’s not playing school volleyball,” Hill said, adding that the senior also likes helping people wherever he can. Miguel shared an insightful analogy to explain the most important life lesson he has learned. He said the shoes we choose to wear are what make us unique, because every shoe tells a different story. “You don’t actually know what’s going on in other people’s shoes,” Miguel said. “So, the next time you go talk to somebody you know or meet someone new, show grace, because grace will go a long way, and it will help you and the others around you.”
Allanah Thomas was introduced by Principal Hill, who said she started with the Health and Medical Careers Academy as a freshman and has worked her way into the VIBE chair position in the Ambassador program. “She also is part of our Unified Leadership program where she works with students with special needs in planning activities for students of all abilities on our campus to ensure there’s true inclusivity at Temescal Canyon,” he said. “She is a varsity cheerleader captain and has four CIF rings for each year that she’s been a part of the program,” Allanah said being part of the Unified Leadership ASB class has been a most meaningful experience. “One of my greatest contributions to my community is being in this class and founding the Unified Titan cheer team alongside my classmate, Carly Wilcox,” she said. “It’s about creating an opportunity for other students to feel included in my school community.”
For more information on the program, please contact Donna Romo at Donnajromo@aol.com.
