From the Student of the Month Program, Student of the Year scholarship recipients were chosen from Hemet Unified and San Jacinto Unified high schools. All Student of the Month recipients for this school year were invited to attend a dinner held at Soboba Country Club on Thursday, May 10, 2018. Students were chosen based on their scholarship application packet, which highlighted their contributions to their school or community, academic excellence, and extracurricular activity.
Maria Harper was chosen as Hemet High School’s Student of the Year. Maria has been a part of the schools Future Farmers of America Club on campus. She will be attending California State University, Chico to major in Agriculture Business.
Zanaizia Hisoler was chosen as West Valley High School’s Student of the Year. Zanaizia will be attending the California State University, San Marcos. She will focus on a degree in psychology to pursue a career that will allow her to help others.
Maya Fleming was selected as Tahquitz High School’s Student of the Year. In the fall, Maya will be attending California Lutheran University to double major in Education and English. She hopes her studies will lead her to a career that will allow her to provide an inclusive and positive environment for students.
Sarah Navarro was chosen as Hamilton High School’s Student of the Year. Sarah said she will attend Palomar College in the fall. After college she plans on becoming a pediatric nurse.
Ariana Pefley from Western Center Academy was chosen as the HUSD Educational Options’ Student of the Year. This fall Ariana will attend Stanford University to major in comparative literature. She hopes her studies will lead her to a career as a writer.
John Gonzalez was chosen to receive the $500 Daniel Lopez Memorial Scholarship. John will be going on a mission through his church when he finishes high school. After his mission he will attend Utah Valley University and then transfer to Brigham Young University to major in computer science. This scholarship was created in remembrance of Daniel Lopez. He was a Student of the Month for the 2014-15 school year and lost his life in a car accident.
Sponsors of the Student of the Month program contributed to the $2,500 scholarships awarded to the students selected as Students of the Year. Thank you to the Student of the Month committee, sponsors, Principals and educators for your support and dedication to the students of Hemet Unified and San Jacinto Unified. It was an inspiring evening celebrating these students’ accomplishments and looking forward to the future.