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City officials and school administrators from the cities of Menifee and Perris gathered recently to honor the December Students of the Month at schools in the Perris Union High School District.
The event was hosted by the Perris Valley Chamber of Commerce and Menifee Valley Chamber of Commerce. 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.
Estrella N. Maya – Heritage High School
Heritage High School recognized Estrella N. Maya as their December Student of the Month.
Assistant Principal Brandon Jones described Estrella as an exceptional student who demonstrates remarkable focus and discipline. He shared that her goal is to attend Mt. San Jacinto College and wishes to pursue a career as an X-ray/ultrasound technician, noting that she already displays the perseverance needed to achieve that dream. Jones emphasized that one of Estrella’s greatest life lessons has been learning to fight for what she wants, which is something she demonstrates every day.
Estrella immigrated to the United States from Michoacán, Mexico during her sophomore year and faced the challenge of learning a new language while adjusting to a new school system. Despite difficulties communicating with teachers and completing coursework, she never gave up. Through hard work and determination, often completing assignments in both Spanish and English, Estrella has maintained an impressive 3.8 GPA.
During the ceremony, Estrella shared her personal journey, explaining that she had to start from zero in many aspects of her life. She credited her success to persistence, support from her teachers, and the courage to continue practicing English despite the challenges. She expressed gratitude to the district, sponsors, educators, and her family for motivating her and recognizing her efforts.
Natalia Orndoff, teacher, shared that she arrived at Heritage with strong determination and an eagerness to learn. She highlighted Estrella’s academic growth, strong writing skills, and willingness to help her peers. She also noted her significant progress on English language proficiency assessments, calling her a “shining star” who consistently goes above and beyond.
Estrella’s mother also addressed the audience, expressing pride in her daughter’s commitment to her studies and thanking the district and event sponsors for recognizing her efforts and supporting students.
Kiara S. Monterrey – Liberty High School
Liberty High School recognized Kiara S. Monterrey as their December Student of the Month.
Principal Erika Rojas described Kiara as a student who consistently challenges herself academically while balancing athletics and extracurricular activities with grace and discipline. She emphasized that what truly sets Kiara apart is her heart for service. Whether in the classroom, on the field, or in the community, Kiara leads with humility and purpose, always striving to do what is right rather than seeking recognition. Rojas noted that Kiara exemplifies the core values of the Liberty community and “the Herd Way.”
Kiara expressed gratitude for being selected and acknowledged the personal and family challenges she has faced while balancing school, sports, and other responsibilities. She thanked her counselor, Mr. Padilla, for his constant guidance and encouragement, as well as her family for their unwavering support. Kiara also shared her faith, stating that her belief in God has helped her persevere and guides her hopes for the future.
Counselor Padilla reflected on her growth since first meeting her in 2022. He described her transformation from a shy and timid student into a confident scholar-athlete taking Advanced Placement and college-level courses at Mt. San Jacinto College while maintaining a GPA above 4.0. Padilla highlighted Kiara’s commitment to athletics and her extensive involvement in community service, including volunteering in medical settings and participating in service work outside the country. He praised her humility, selflessness, and strong character, noting that she inspires not only her peers but also the adults around her.
Kiara’s mother, Kayla Monterrey, described her daughter’s early love of learning, quiet introverted nature, and inner strength. She spoke openly about family challenges, including mental health struggles and the difficulties Kiara faced transitioning into a large high school environment during the pandemic. Despite anxiety and obstacles, Kiara remained resilient, channeling her energy into academics, sports, volunteering, and faith. Her mother also emphasized Kiara’s strong faith, discipline, and compassion, sharing that Kiara maintains a dedicated prayer life and consistently prays for others. Monterrey concluded by thanking the school, teachers, counselors, sponsors, and community members who have supported Kiara’s journey, stating her confidence that Kiara will continue to accomplish great things.
Sophia T. Brown – Paloma Valley High School
Paloma Valley High School recognized Sophia T. Brown as their December Student of the Month.
Assistant Principal Joseph Williams, speaking on behalf of Principal Dr. Tommy LaRochelle, shared that Paloma Valley High School is known for its exceptional programs and students. Sophia has truly distinguished herself among them. Sophia is currently enrolled in three Advanced Placement courses, serves as a peer tutor, is an active member of the National Honor Society, and has completed hundreds of hours of community service. She is also deeply involved in JROTC, where she holds the role of Company Commander, overseeing more than 130 cadets. In addition, Sophia is the president of the Healthy Students Club, a student-led organization focused on supporting mental health awareness on campus. “I can tell you that she absolutely has distinguished herself as one of the best students on campus.”
Master Sergeant Frank Puebla, Sophia’s JROTC instructor, praised her as an exceptional leader who understands that true leadership means serving others. He highlighted her growth from a freshman cadet into a confident Company Commander, noting her ability to balance responsibility, humility, and care for those she leads. He emphasized that Sophia exemplifies leadership through influence, selflessness, and dedication to the success of others.
Sophia shared that one of the most important lessons she has learned is that challenges do not define a person; how one responds to them does. Balancing rigorous academics, leadership roles, and JROTC responsibilities has not always been easy, but through discipline and determination, she has learned to push through stress, fatigue, and self-doubt. As a leader, she strives to pass these lessons on to younger cadets so they too can adapt and overcome life’s challenges.
She expressed heartfelt gratitude to her teachers, instructors, friends, and especially her family. She thanked her mother and sister for their unwavering support and shared appreciation for her father, who is currently deployed overseas, for inspiring her resilience and independence. Sophia plans to attend a four-year university, hopes to study psychology, and is particularly interested in understanding human behavior and criminal psychology.
Cecilia Brown, Sophia’s mother, shared her pride and joy in watching her grow into a young lady. Her sister, Audrey Mae Brown, spoke about the positive impact Sophia has had on her life and others, describing her as a role model whose dedication and growth inspire those around her.
Jacob H. Cortez – Perris High School
Perris High School recognized Jacob H. Cortez as their December Student of the Month.
The principal of Perris High School, Ricardo Garcia-Felix, mentioned that Jacob is an exceptional well-rounded student who is actively involved in choir, drama, and advanced academics. He recently performed as a main character in a two-hour theatrical production, delivering every line flawlessly across multiple performances for students and the community. Academically, Jacob ranks in the top 10 of his senior class, is enrolled in several AP courses, and has participated in competitions such as the Riverside Coding Competition. He is also known for helping his classmates in math.
Jacob expressed gratitude to his teachers, family, and school community, sharing how meaningful the recognition was to him and acknowledging his growth in self-confidence over time. His mother, Ivonne Cortez, also spoke, expressing immense pride in her son and confidence in his future.
Princess Choi, computer science teacher, mentioned that beyond his achievements at school, Jacob demonstrates remarkable responsibility and compassion at home. She also shared that Jacob is the oldest sibling in a family with autistic brothers and plays a significant caregiving role, walking his brother to the bus daily, supporting his siblings’ needs, and remaining positive and engaged despite these responsibilities. This dedication, previously unknown to many, highlighted Jacob’s character, maturity, and perseverance.
Jacob’s mother, Ivonne Cortez, also addressed the audience, expressing her pride and love for her son. She shared that from a young age she always told Jacob he was “destined for greatness” and held high expectations for him. She proudly noted that Jacob has continued to rise to those expectations and voiced her excitement to see where his future will take him.
Isaiah M. Bewley – Perris Lake High School
Perris Lake High School recognized Isaiah M. Bewley as their December Student of the Month.
Dr. Heather Avila, speaking on behalf of Principal Dr. Pauline Garcia, shared that Isaiah transferred to Perris Lake High School during his junior year from Scholar Plus Online Learning Academy in search of connection and belonging. Since joining the campus, Isaiah has fully embraced school life, demonstrating leadership, maturity, and a strong sense of compassion. Teachers describe him as a student who not only strives to do his best academically, but who consistently encourages and supports those around him. Known for his calm demeanor and positive attitude, Isaiah approaches challenges as opportunities to learn and grow. He is also an active member of the school’s Bible Club, where he participates daily, further reflecting his character and commitment to faith.
Isaiah started with thanking the sponsors and expressing gratitude for his family’s support. He spoke candidly about overcoming personal hardships, including the loss of his grandmother in early 2023, whom he described as a second mother and a major influence in his life. Despite this profound loss, Isaiah shared that his grandmother taught him to always keep pushing forward, a lesson that continues to guide him. He credited his parents for standing by him through every challenge and inspiring him to keep striving.
Isaiah shared his plans to pursue a career in the plumbing trade. He plans to apply early to a plumbing union, gain hands-on experience, earn his license, and eventually work independently. He expressed pride in choosing a career path that allows him to work with his hands and build something meaningful.
Carol Stern, teacher, nominated Isaiah and spoke about having him as a student in multiple classes, including economics, art, and cinema studies. She praised his patience, integrity, leadership, and detailed artistic ability, noting that his presence positively impacts everyone around him. Stern emphasized that Isaiah’s character, work ethic, and quiet leadership make him a role model on campus, and she expressed confidence that he will be successful in whatever path he chooses.
Isaiah’s family also shared their pride and gratitude, thanking the school and community for recognizing him and expressing confidence in his future success.
