January High School Students of Month are honored

Front row, from left: Oanh Nguyen, Heritage High School; Viridiana Martinez, Perris High School; Michelle Lopez, California Military Institute; and Roxanne Mina, Paloma Valley High School. Back row: Jennifer Walker, Perris Valley Chamber of Commerce; Mayor Michael Vargas, City of Perris; Grant Bennett, Superintendent, Perris Union High School District; Council member Lesa Sobek, City of Menifee; and John Whann, Menifee Valley Chamber of Commerce.

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The Perris Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Menifee Valley Chamber of Commerce recently honored local high school Students of the Month for January. 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 honored 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.

Paloma Valley High School’s Student of the Month is Roxanne Mina. Roxanne currently holds a 4.0 GPA. She is involved in a number of campus organizations, including CSF, NHS, NJROTC, and is on the basketball team. She has also taken numerous AP and advanced courses.

Roxanne is the Battalion Executive Officer overseeing the training and development of 175 cadets. That is a large load for anyone, let alone a high school student. Master Sgt. Frank Puebla said that some people are destined for greatness and some are determined for greatness. Roxanne is one of those determined for greatness. Roxanne said that she is a firm believer that each day brings new opportunities.

“The choices you make determine whether or not you made the most of each opportunity that you’re given,” she said. Roxanne plans to attend either Cal Maritime or the Naval Academy to pursue a career in the Navy.

Heritage High School’s Student of the Month is Oanh Nguyen. Oanh is the No. 1 student at Heritage. She is involved in a number of activities, including NHS, Key Club, Make-a-Wish, CSF, and Link Crew, just to name a few. She is also involved in tennis, track, and is part of the STEM program. Her teacher, Mr. Fairchild, said that Oanh is very mature beyond her years in what is going on around her. She is focused on what and who is around her, which is why she is so passionate about being able to tutor others.

Oanh has learned that perspective is essential to overcoming adversity. With all she has accomplished, including maintaining a GPA of 4.7, Oanh has earned the AP Scholar with Distinction for Heritage. She is also a Questbridge recipient and has earned a full ride scholarship to Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, where she will major in biology to enter the medical field.

California Military Institute’s Michelle Lopez is January’s Student of the Month. Coming into CMI as a sixth grader, Michelle admitted to being a little more than anxious about going to a military school. She said that she cried all summer and did not want to go. However, it was the best decision ever made and the impact that CMI has made on Michelle has been amazing.

“My school has taught me so much about the importance of building relationships and challenging myself academically,” she said. Michelle currently holds a 4.17 GPA. She is also in cheer, a part of the battalion staff, and a three-year member of Link Crew.

Although Michelle has learned a myriad of life lessons through her high school career, one that she will take with her to college is that hard work pays off. She will keep that mindset as she continues her education at either UC Irvine or Cal State Fullerton to become a registered nurse.

Viridiana Martinez is Perris High School’s Student of the Month. Viridiana is currently No. 1 at Perris High. She’s involved in a number of school organizations, including NHS, Link Crew, and AVID, just to name a few. She has also taken many AP courses and maintains a 4.3 GPA.

In addition to her academic load and activities, she also works part-time. Now while this is very impressive for any high school student, what makes it more amazing is that Viridiana has only been in the United States for a few years. Having been born in Mexico, moving to Canada, and eventually settling in the U.S., Viridiana has the gift of being trilingual. Her teacher, Ms. Pales, stated that Viridiana is an amazing young woman with an incredible work ethic and demonstrates Perris High’s core values. Viridiana plans to continue her education at UC Berkeley and major in psychology to become a therapist or counselor.

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


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