On February 16, 2017, students from Hemet Unified and San Jacinto Unified were recognized as Students of the Month at an awards breakfast held at the Sizzler Restaurant in Hemet. Students were selected from Hemet High School, West Valley High School, Tahquitz High School, Hamilton High School, Western Center Academy, San Jacinto High School, and Mountain View High School/Mountain Heights Academy.
Sponsors of the Student of the Month Program donated backpacks filled with gifts, gift certificates, a plaque, Certificates of Recognition, and much more. The students had an opportunity to thank their families and teachers who have supported them and helped them plan their future life goals.
Adam Huxell was selected as the Hemet High School Student of the Month. Adam was nominated by his Dual Enrollment English Teacher, Lisa Prickett, for being an all-around exemplary student. Adam currently has a 4.4 GPA and is a member of Hemet High’s Mock Trial team, Tennis, and Track. Prickett said Adam is a very insightful writer and adds thought-provoking questions and commentary to class discussions. Despite personal hardships and tragedies, Adam remains positive. In the fall he will be attending Azusa Pacific University to pursue his goal of becoming a high school English teacher. Adam said he his work ethic and drive came from his father and he strives to be as good a man as he was.
Ryan DeJager was chosen as West Valley High School’s Student of the Month. Ryan was nominated by the school’s Fine Arts Department. His Band Director, TJ Hepburn, spoke about Ryan’s determination and dedication to West Valley. He is involved in just about every area of the school’s Fine Arts Department and is still managing a 4.25 GPA. Ryan, as part of West Valley’s Color Guard, and his team went to Diamond Valley Middle School to teach a flag routine to the middle school students. From this experience he learned that helping people was the single most important thing to do in life. In the fall he will be attending California State University, Chico to major in social work and minor in child development. Hepburn commended Ryan on his work ethic and dedication and added, “every school needs a Ryan DeJager.”
Eric Urena was selected as Tahquitz High School’s Student of the Month. Eric was selected by his Math Teacher, Candace Ballard, for his inquisitive personality and passion for learning. While Eric does excel in math, his true passion is reading. Eric moved to the United States when he was in fourth grade. He didn’t speak English and felt very alone so he began to read. He wants to major in English and write novels that inspires people. He will be the first in his family, which consists of 48 grandchildren, to attend college. He thanked his mom, Tahquitz staff, and the sponsors of the Student of the Month program and said, “thank you for letting me dream on.”
Trent Beggin was selected by Jennifer Halstead, his AP Calculus teacher at Hamilton High School. Halstead said she nominated Trent for being unfailingly kind. She continued to say that he works hard in school and helps out where he can. She said he is always striving to do his best and inspire others around him to do the same. He is very determined in what he wants and is willing to put in the hard work. Last year, he was in Halstead’s Algebra II class and was able to skip Pre-Calculus and go right into AP Calculus because he spent countless hours of the summer trying to make this happen. Trent will be attending California State University, San Marco and wants to major in financing.
Noah Delano was nominated as Western Center Academy’s Student of the Month. Maura Trujillo, Noah’s Math Teacher, nominated Noah for consistently demonstrating perseverance and high levels of achievement despite facing personal challenges. Despite losing his father a couple years ago, Noah has stayed determined on where he wants his life to go. Noah is part of the first generation of seniors at Western Center Academy. He earned the highest Boy Scout rank of Eagle Scout, is involved in the school’s theater program, and is a member of the robotics team, The Ducks, who have been to world championships. He will be attending California State University, San Marcos to major in math, and minor in theater to keep things interesting.
Congratulations to all the students, teachers, principals, and family members. It was an inspiring morning celebrating these students and their bright futures.