Menifee, Perris Chambers Honor High School Students of Month

From left: Dr. Jonathan Greenberg, superintendent, Perris Union High School District; Margarita Castillo, Menifee Valley Chamber of Commerce; Adam Jenks, Heritage High School; Natalie Laguna, Perris Lake High School; Chase Roland, Paloma Valley High School; Hai Vu, Perris High School; Mayor Daryl Busch, City of Perris; Kathy Bennett, city clerk, City of Menifee; and Mayor Pro Tem Mark Yarbrough, City of Perris.

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Outstanding students from high schools in the Perris Union High School District were honored recently as Students of the Month.

The Perris Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Menifee Valley Chamber of Commerce organize the presentations. 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.

Heritage High School’s Student of the Month is Adam Jenks. Adam is involved in a number of clubs and activities, including Link Crew and drama. He is also the founder, and president, of the most recent government club, Modern American Patriotic Students. According to the club’s advisor, Ms. McPhail, Adam keeps everyone on their toes, and is a hilarious person to be around. Adam thanked everyone and said that one of the biggest life lessons he’s learned was to have positivity and generosity. He plans to attend Stanford University to obtain his degree in computer engineering.

Chase Roland is Paloma Valley High School’s Student of the Month. According to Assistant Principal Dr. Pauline Garcia, Chase is a well-rounded student and is very community services oriented. She also noted that just about all the staff shared the same views of Chase in that she is one of the most humble, nicest, and sweetest people on campus. Chase said that she is very thankful for her parents, and that they have always encouraged and supported her to do the things she wants. Chase plans to attend UC Irvine, UC Riverside, or UC San Diego to study multiple languages and become a translator.

Perris Lake High School’s honoree is Natalie Laguna, who, according to her English teacher, Ms. Lannerhag, started out as a very shy and withdrawn student. However, over time she began to show determination to the point of becoming a mentor for other students, and becoming a true leader at Perris Lake. Natalie admitted to hating school at one time but made the decision to change, and learned to get excited about school after teachers there showed how much they cared about her. Natalie shared that she’s now excited about the future, and plans to attend college to become an esthetician or physical therapist.

Perris High School’s Student of the Month is Hai Vu. Hai is involved in a number of clubs and activities including the decathlon team, FNL, National Honor Society, and others. She is also a finalist for the QuestBridge Scholarship and is described by Principal Nicholas Hilton as a well-rounded student. Hai admitted that she was initially scared of AP calculus as a sophomore but started to overcome it while starting a calculus club, which now holds annual competitions. She plans to attend UCLA to obtain her PhD in bio medical engineering and eventually open her own lab, and make healthcare more affordable.

December’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.

All of these students demonstrated a desire to work hard and have a drive to exceed others and their own expectations. The Perris Valley Chamber and the Menifee Valley Chamber wish them the best in their endeavors. If you wish to learn more about the Student of the Month Program, please contact founder, Sally Myers at (951) 506-8024.