Menifee Chamber of Commerce Honors Students of Month

From left: Sally Myers, Founder; Dr. Jonathan Greenberg, Superintendent, Perris Union High School District; Keila Aguado, Choice 2000 Online School; Carina Franco, Paloma Valley High School; Jordyn Carroll, Heritage High School; Jesus Partida, Perris High School; Councilmember Tom Fuhrman, City of Menifee; Mayor Daryl Busch, City of Perris; Mayor Pro-tem Mark Yarbrough, City of Perris; Grant Bennett, Perris Valley Chamber of Commerce; and Zuberi Shakir, Menifee Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Outstanding students from area high schools were recently honored by the Menifee Valley Chamber of Commerce and Perris Valley Chamber of Commerce as Students of the Month for February.

Paloma Valley High School's Student of the Month is Carina Franco. Carina was described as an exceptional student by Assistant Principal Nick Hilton. Carina has also shown to be a positive influence on others. Her teacher, Mr. Williams, shared that he has observed Carina not only give, but out give with her time, talent, and heart. Carina shared that one thing she has learned is that once she started getting involved in school activities, she’s discovered that she loves helping people. She plans to attend college and study microbiology and become a pediatrician.

Heritage High Schoo's Jordyn Carroll is described by Principal Julie Zierold as someone whose character and leadership stand out. As part of the girls’ basketball team, and captain for the last three years, Jordyn has displayed a leadership quality many times over. Heritage’s girls’ basketball coach, Nicole Riscica, shared that Jordyn started out as a good leader and then became a great leader. Jordyn shared that she appreciates the leadership role and has learned to embrace it. She plans to attend the University of Redlands and earn her degree in speech pathology.

Choice 2000’s Student of the Month, Keila Aguado, maintains a 4.0 GPA and volunteers for various organizations. Her teacher, Mr. Wilson, states that Keila is amazing and beloved by all the teachers and has the desire and perseverance to push toward whatever goal she has in mind. Keila shared that it was difficult to come from Mexico and have to learn English. She credits her family, who have supported and encouraged her to become a better person. She plans to attend college and study languages to earn her degree in international relations and business.

Perris High School’s Jesus Partida is a person of strong character and is hard-working, according to Principal Dr. Lynne Sheffield. His drama teacher, Mr. Newman, stated that Jesus is an absolute gentleman and he “learns with joy.” Jesus shared that he originally wanted to get into an AP Biology class but it was not available, so he signed up for drama and discovered that he loved the class, and has learned quite a bit from Mr. Newman. Jesus plans to attend USC to study science and technology, and
eventually become a professor.

The Perris Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Menifee Valley Chamber of Commerce kicked off the 2012-2013 Student of the Month program in September 2012. The students are nominated by their teachers and staff at their respective school sites and are chosen for their character, integrity, love of learning, ability to persevere and overcome challenging circumstances, community service, and how they make a difference on their high school campus.

February’s students and their families attended a luncheon sponsored by the Perris and Menifee Chambers of Commerce, along with local businesses and organizations. Principals and teachers from each high school shared stories about the students and they each received certificates of recognition, numerous gifts, congratulations and encouragement from local, county, state and federal dignitaries.

If you wish to learn more about the Student of the Month Program, please contact founder, Sally Myers at 951-506-8024.