Shubert, Jackson honored as Students of Month

Pictured are April’s Students of the Month; Front row - Ryan Shubert, Paloma Valley High School; Shalyse Earvin., Perris High School; Tamirton Jackson, Heritage High School; and Nalani Quevedo, Perris Lake High School. Back row - Sally Myers, Founder; Grant Bennett, Superintendent, Perris Union High School District; Councilmember Lesa Sobek, City of Menifee; Trustee Dr. Randall Freeman, Perris Union High School District School Board; Alejandra Herrera, Riverside County Office of Education; and Esther Portillio, Assemblyman Jose Medina.

The Perris Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Menifee Valley Chamber of Commerce recently announced the area high school Seniors of the Month for April.

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.

Paloma Valley High School’s Student of the Month is Ryan Shubert. Ryan is in the top 2 percent of his class with a GPA of 4.6. In addition to taking multiple AP courses since freshman year, he is involved in the National Honor Society, CSF, and is the American Sign Language president. He has also been a part of the water polo and baseball teams all four years of high school.

Ryan shared that when schools were shut down and many were struggling trying to acclimate to online learning, he chose not to let that get him down as many were doing. As simple a thing as keeping his camera on and participating during online instruction helped him. His teacher, Dennis Raymond, added that it was uplifting to see as a teacher trying to educate online. As a result, other students began to follow suit. Ryan is a leader on campus. He helps to encourage fellow peers to do their best. This perseverance and determination has helped Ryan get accepted into the US Naval Academy, where he will train to become an officer.

Tamirton Jackson is Heritage High School’s Student of the Month. Timir (as he likes to be called) is a well respected member of the Heritage LEGACY family. He is involved in the Peer Leaders Uniting Students (PLUS) class and is on the varsity basketball team. As a PLUS member, Tamir has been a positive role model to his peers. According to his teacher, Alexandra Fonseco, Tamir is able to connect with his classmates.

“He guided the other students and he gave constructive criticism in a tactful and kind way. He is able to mediate and be an excellent leader,” she said.

Tamir shared that he was grateful for his parents' support throughout his high school career. A life lesson that he shared, and will take with him, is to work harder than anyone else. He learned this as he was trying out for basketball. His success was not necessarily because of his skill, but of his determination and wanting to work harder for something he loved. Tamir plans to follow in his parents’ footsteps and join the Air Force after graduation.

Perris Lake High School’s Nalani Quevedo is April’s Student of the Month. As a continuation school, many students come to Perris Lake for that second chance in obtaining their diploma. Many do accomplish this goal, and some even exceed it. For Nalani, she does not take this recognition lightly. She shared her struggles with school and expressed her gratitude for the teachers and staff at Perris Lake. Specifically, she thanked her teacher, Carol Stern, for her constant encouragement, support, and push for her to move forward. Stern commented that in her experience teaching Nalani, she has shown nothing but humility, generosity, kindness, and amazing creativity.

“She is the type of student you want in your classroom, the student you want your kids hanging out with,” she said.

Through her experiences, Nalani shared one lesson she will take with her to college is that hard work always pays off. She will continue her education at Mt. San Jacinto College for her general education and then move on to train to become a pilot.

Perris High School’s Student of the Month is Shalyse Earvin. As leaders go, Perris High School has had some amazing students come through who have displayed this skill in their young lives. This is true of April’s Student of the Month, according to Assistant Principal, Dr. Greg Wise.

“I think about the leadership, individuality, and determination and I see an amazing assortment of incredible people and new leaders,'' he said.

This has not come easy for Shalyse, as she had shared about her struggle with social anxiety. However, she was determined to overcome this obstacle by getting involved at school and pushing herself to meet people, including getting a job. One of her biggest strengths, and contributions to her school, is her constant kindness to others.

“I’ve always been the kind of person who shows kindness no matter who you are, no matter where you’ve been in life,” she said. Shalyse plans to take these qualities with her as she continues her education at Moreno Valley Community College while deciding on a future career.

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