San Jacinto Valley students receive Student of the Year honors

Diane A. Rhodes

The Hemet/San Jacinto Student of the Month program held its recognition breakfasts from September through March. Each school’s honoree was eligible to apply for Student of the Year for their site. All recognized students were invited to a Night of the Stars scholarship award dinner at the Soboba Casino Resort Event Center Wednesday, May 17.

Nearly 400 guests filled the room as students and their families, teachers, sponsors, educators and many supporters awaited the announcement of the seven Student of the Year winners who each received a $2,000 scholarship. Additionally, seven individual scholarships of $500 each were presented by various community members, nonprofit organizations and businesses. All students received a $100 gift card. Program founder and event hostess Karena Zermeno also represents one of the sponsors, Altura Credit Union. She welcomed everyone to the event and said as the program concludes its tenth year, she wanted to take the opportunity to acknowledge the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians, Soboba Tribal Council and Soboba Foundation “for supporting us from day one;

Valley they have been our biggest supporters.” She said that many of the schools, businesses and nonprofits represented at the event have also benefited from their support.

“We know that the pillar of our community is Soboba,” Zermeno said.

She reminded those in attendance that the Student of the Month program honors local high school seniors for demonstrating charac- ter, integrity, love of learning and involvement in school activities, athletics and community service.

“We recognize students who have overcome challenging life circumstances without compromising their education. These are students who makes a difference in their home, school and community with sincerity and passion,” Zermeno said. “There is no greater example of overcoming challenging life circumstances than the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians and yet they selflessly give to this entire valley and are so passionate about it; it truly comes from the heart.”

She addressed the Soboba Tribal Council and Soboba Foundation members who were present by saying, “Because of your generosity of not only the financial support but the appointment of our Student of the Month Committee member Andrew Vallejos (who is the Foundation’s sponsorship and higher education program coordinator), we were able to start this program and build upon it each year.”

After the final breakfast in March, each Student of the Month was encouraged to complete an application to be considered as the Class of 2023 Student of the Year for their school site, resulting in seven honorees. The Academy of Innovation, Alessandro High School and Western Center Acad-