Caldera, Crespo Among District Students of the Month

Front row, seated: Marcela Caldera, Heritage High School; Perla Crespo, Paloma Valley High School; David Nguyen, California Military Institute; Joseph Figueroa, Perris High School. Back row, standing: Sally Myers, Founder; Dr. Jonathan Greenberg, Superintendent, Perris Union High School District; Mayor Pro Tem Mark Yarbrough, City of Perris; Alma Martinez, CEO, Perris Valley Chamber of Commerce; Dorothy Wolons, CEO, Menifee Valley Chamber of Commerce; Councilman John Denver, City of Menifee; and Councilman Tom Furhman, City of Menifee.

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Outstanding students in the Perris Union High School District were recently honored by the Perris Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Menifee Valley Chamber of Commerce as Students of the Month.

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.

The students and their families attended a breakfast 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.

Heritage High School’s Student of the Month is Marcela Caldera. Marcela is described as a great student and a great human being, according to principal Julie Zierold. Her character makes her a positive influence among her peers, which is why several teachers nominated her for recognition. Marcella said that she feels inspired by her family with some of the struggles that they have experienced with various medical issues. Marcela will be attending UC San Diego and majoring in chemical biology to enter the field of medicine.

Paloma Valley High School’s Perla Crespo is her school's Student of the Month. Perla has been in the U.S. for only five years, but she has shown that perseverance and determination can overcome many obstacles. Perla shared that she never thought she would reach this goal speaking another language, but she proved that anyone can reach their goals. Her love of science has helped her get through school and she plans to continue that momentum as she enters college. She will be attending Cal Poly San Luis Obispo to major in architectural design.

David Nguyen is California Military Institute’s Student of the Month. David is the senior battalion commander, and according to assistant principal Rouba Tay, he does what it takes to get things done. According to his teacher, Mr. Sweet, David started out as a shy seventh grader and has since grown to embrace challenges and eventually become the “go to” task guy at CMI. David admitted that it would be a bit odd to go from so many years in one school and then be gone after graduation, but then again his journey would be getting started. David plans to major in bio engineering and enter the medical field.

Perris High School’s Student of the Month is Joseph (Figs) Figueroa. According to principal Nick Hilton, Joseph is the embodiment of everything the school stands for and is an exemplary ambassador for PHS. He shared that Joseph even came into his office on his first day as principal and offered to pray for him. Joseph’s faith is a large part of who he is and he shared that the bar has to be set high, as he experienced while playing water polo. As difficult as it was to make CIF, at the end of the day they are all brothers. Joseph will take that to heart as he attends Cal State East Bay to study criminal justice and psychology to enter the field of law enforcement.

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