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City officials and school administrators from the cities of Menifee and Perris gathered recently to honor the February 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.
Paloma Valley High School Principal Dr. Thomas LaRochelle proudly introduced Rosa Vaughan (Rosa Giefer) as their Student of the Month, describing her as energetic, resilient, and deeply involved on campus. From stepping up on short notice to serve as a student MC at the State of the District event to actively participating in ASB and maintaining outstanding grades, Rosa is known for her leadership and positive spirit.
Rosa shared that living with Arthrogryposis, a rare physical condition affecting her joints and mobility, has shaped her character and strengthened her determination. She spoke about the importance of perseverance, self-advocacy, and staying consistent even when challenges require extra time and effort. Rather than allowing obstacles to define her, Rosa has used them as motivation to grow stronger and more confident.
Nominating teacher Amelia Brown praised Rosa’s fierce determination, noting her continued success in Advanced Placement English courses and her refusal to make excuses. Rosa’s positivity and strength have made her a beloved presence on campus.
Rosa plans to attend Mt. San Jacinto College before transferring to a University of California campus to study computer programming, a field that aligns with her passion for coding and problem-solving.
Her mother, Leslie Rios, shared heartfelt words about Rosa’s strength through 15 surgeries and years of treatment, expressing pride in the inspiring young woman she has become.
Heritage High School proudly recognized senior Jun Shuo Yang, known as “Julia Yang,” as their Student of the Month. Selected by her teachers, Julia is widely known across campus for her leadership, involvement, and positive presence.
Principal Jose Topete shared that he frequently sees Julia at major school events, from Senior Night for girls basketball to campus blood drives and student leadership meetings. She serves as president of Students for Change and the Asian Culture Club, secretary of Interact Club, is a member of the varsity girls basketball team, and also manages the girls lacrosse team.
Julia credits strong time management skills for helping her balance academics and extracurricular activities. She plans to attend a four-year university in California, most likely a University of California campus, where she intends to study actuarial science or statistics and pursue a career as an actuary.
In her remarks, Julia shared a powerful personal lesson about not allowing setbacks or others’ opinions to define her self-worth. She reflected on learning to turn challenges into opportunities for growth and to recognize her own value.
Girls basketball coach Deanna Meijer praised Julia’s intelligence, dedication, humor, and positive influence on her teammates, describing her as easy to love and destined for success. Julia’s guardian also expressed pride and gratitude for the support she has received.
Liberty High School introduced Quartney Shaw as their Student of the Month. Principal Erika Rojas described Quartney as a servant leader whose smile, energy, and warmth brighten the campus each day. As an ASB president, active member of BSU, PBIS leader, and frequent master of ceremonies for school events and pep rallies, Quartney consistently leads with kindness, integrity, and heart.
A senior at Liberty, Quartney also serves as senior class president and is a part-time college student at Mt. San Jacinto College, where she will earn her Associate degree this spring. She has maintained a 4.0 GPA or higher throughout high school, serves on the CSF executive board, participates in athletics, and remains deeply involved in campus leadership.
In her remarks, Quartney reflected on her journey of resilience and growth. Growing up as a military child and later navigating her parents’ separation, she faced bullying and personal challenges that tested her confidence. Through writing, leadership opportunities, and the encouragement of mentors and family, she learned to find her voice and step beyond her comfort zone. She credits those experiences with shaping her confidence, perseverance, and commitment to serving others.
Quartney plans to attend a university to major in psychology or sociology before attending law school, with the goal of becoming an attorney by 2032.
Dr. Heather Avila, Dr. Pauline Garcia’s admin designee, shared that Aredy Sosa-Torres enrolled at Perris Lake High School at the end of her junior year and has since flourished both academically and personally.
After facing challenges with anxiety and depression, Aredy found a welcoming and supportive environment at Perris Lake High School that allowed her to grow with confidence and determination. Now a senior, she serves as a leader in ASB and helps promote belonging, engagement, and empowerment across campus. Though a quiet leader, Aredy leads with authenticity, kindness, and a strong desire to serve others. She was especially surprised and honored to receive her first student recognition award.
Aredy expressed gratitude to her parents and teachers for their unwavering support. She shared that Perris Lake gave her a second chance and helped her rediscover happiness in school.
An accomplished and talented artist, Aredy has earned recognition for her artwork, including detailed pieces inspired by meaningful moments and loved ones. She plans to major in art and architecture at California College of the Arts in San Francisco, while also exploring film and photography, with the long term goal of becoming an art teacher.
Her teacher, Carol Stern, praised her creativity, perseverance, and the positive energy she brings to campus each day. Aredy’s mother, Rosa, shared heartfelt words, expressing how proud she is of her daughter’s growth and resilience, noting the strength she has shown through difficult times and her bright future ahead.
Perris High School Principal Ricardo Garcia-Felix recognized Jasmine Lopez as their Student of the Month. Although Jasmine was unable to attend due to a family emergency, Principal Ricardo Garcia-Felix shared high praise for her outstanding achievements and dedication.
Since her freshman year, Jasmine has consistently challenged herself academically. She earned an A+ in AP Human Geography as a ninth grader and has continued taking rigorous courses each year, including multiple AP classes, medical assistant courses, digital media, and four years in the AVID program. Her strong work ethic and determination have resulted in an impressive 4.26 GPA, placing her among the top 15 students in the Class of 2026. Notably, Jasmine continues to take advanced math courses even though she has already earned enough credits to graduate.
Spanish teacher Mr. Ramirez, who nominated her, described Jasmine as intellectually curious, highly engaged, and an active participant in class discussions. He praised her critical thinking skills and expressed confidence in her future success.
