San Jacinto Valley students honored in January

Diane A. Rhodes

Special to the Valley News

The Hemet/San Jacinto Student of the Month program held its most recent recognition breakfast at the Maze Stone at Soboba Springs Golf Course, Jan. 19. 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 to overcome difficult life challenges. They do all this in a setting that honors God, America, family, community and free enterprise. Students are nominated by teachers or other school personnel for making a difference in their homes, schools and communities.

Program founder and event facilitator Karena Zermeno also represents one of the sponsors, Altura Credit Union. Backpacks filled with gifts, a Student of the Month award, 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.

January’s students of the month from Hemet Unified School District schools are Valerie Barajas, Valerie Flores, Angelise Jones, Isabelle Lee and Kaylee Lopez. San Jacinto Unified’s honorees for January are Emily Gates and Grace Truslow.

Hemet Unified School District

Valerie Barajas

Tahquitz High School’s band director Jeremy Pietsch nominated Valerie Barajas for being an outstanding student during the four years he has known her. She takes Advanced Placement and dual enrollment college courses and is one of his strongest musicians. He said she earns the highest place at all festivals the band performs at. As first chair in clarinet last year she participated in virtual concerts and was part of the first jazz album ever produced by the Tahquitz Titan musicians. Valerie is lead saxophone in the jazz band this year. She has played clarinet for six years and alto sax for three. She wants to attend Mt. San Jacinto Community College before transferring to a University of California school, with plans to become an elementary school teacher. Valerie said, “A life lesson I plan to carry with me on my journey after high school is to focus on present moments and to not worry about things I cannot control.”

Valerie Flores

The Academy of Innovation’s top choice this month is independent study student Valerie Flores. Nominating teacher Linda Olsen described her as an excellent example of self-discipline as she utilizes the fully online option of study. Valerie said one of her greatest contributions to her community has been supporting the Ramona Bowl. She has been involved with the Summer Youth Theater productions, which benefit the nonprofit amphitheater association. She plans to attend California State University, Channel Islands in Camarillo but is undecided about a major or career. “I am interested in the idea of art and see myself likely being associated with it,” Valerie said. Virtual learning has been a good fit for her as she has worked hard to overcome serious sleep problems. Her mother Marie said her daughter is very creative and has a vivid imagination and has been illustrating and writing books and short stories since she was six years old. Valerie said, “A significant life lesson I’ve learned is to rely on myself and trust myself. I want to be a highlight in the life of people, leaving a positive impression and fond memory for them to carry through their day.”

Angelise Jones

West Valley High School singled out Angelise Jones for being a dynamic student who has been singing for the past 13 years. She performed in musical theater at the school for the first time last year, the dance team this year, is part of the Tech Theater team, is a choir member and a Thespian officer for drama. Her nominating teacher Cheri Kehler, who teaches drama and dance, said, “It’s unbelievable that one person can accomplish all these things in one day and Angelise does this with grace and confidence and humility.” Angelise said experiencing bullying and racism while in middle school caused her to become anxious and paranoid and it wasn’t until her junior year of high school when she joined drama that she finally found somewhere she felt like she belonged. She wants to earn her bachelor’s degree in fine arts and return to West Valley. She said her journey has taught her that, “you don’t always have to do things just to satisfy others; sometimes you just need to roll with the punches, pick yourself up and keep moving forward.”

Isabelle Lee

Hamilton High School selected Isabelle Lee for being a very kind, goal-oriented, natural leader. Diana Welty said Isabelle is one of the few students who stepped up to help her when she took over as ASB director and is consistently at every event. Isabelle said moving to California from Minnesota five years ago was a huge culture shock for her. She had attended an all-Hmong school in the past and was the only Asian student when she began attending Hamilton. She said she felt alone and scared but the students were very welcoming and her teachers motivated her to step out of her shell and pushed her to be who she is today. She does a lot of volunteering, especially after school, saying ASB allows her to connect with From the Heart, a nonprofit in Anza. Isabelle said, “My parents are my constant support and will always be there for me no matter how far I go from the nest.” The generosity and kindness she has received from others has motivated her to become an elementary school teacher “and inspire younger kids to be kind to each other, no matter what their situation is.”

Kaylee Lopez

Hemet High School’s Kaylee Lopez was introduced by Assistant Principal Zach Taylor as an amazing artist. “I’m really proud and honored to be working in this community but I’m even more proud and honored to present Kaylee today.” Her art teacher Kari Howell said, “How do you talk about someone who is extraordinary? How do you talk about someone who faces adversity head on and keeps going?

It is rare to see anyone at any age emerge from aspects of their lives that would normally crumble a person but instead they rise above it and they thrive. It is rare to see someone so young have strength and conviction and to be an advocate for those who are in need and for those who cannot advocate for themselves. She uses her creativity in art to harness the attributes of the Victorian-era style detail and see FAIR, page B-2 see STUDENTS, page B-2