The Perris Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Menifee Valley Chamber of Commerce kicked off the 2013-2014 Student of the Month program in September 2013. 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.

November’s students and their families attended a luncheon 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.

Perris High School Student of the Month is Lourdes Galindo.  According to her AP English teacher, Ms. Brusca, Lourdes is an amazing person and brings so much to her classroom.  She continuously competes with herself and goes above and beyond what’s required. 

Lourdes shared that she feels her biggest life lesson is that no one is ever really alone.  The people around her have impacted her and she in turn is able to impact others.  Lourdes is choosing between Stanford, UC Berkeley, and UCLA and plans to become a neurologist.

Heritage High School’s, Alondra Martinez, is described by Principal, Julie Zierold, as someone who embodies Heritages legacy.  She is very humble, bright, and is service oriented.  Alondra’s AVID teacher, Ms. Perry, shared that she has a very inquisitive nature and her energy is contagious. She is rivaled by her need to do more, which explains why she is involved in so many activities.  Alondra shared that she is happy to help serve others.  She plans on attending Boston University, UC Davis, or UCLA, and major in political science.

Cadet Captain Brian Landeros is California Military Institute’s Student of the Month.  Principal, Richard Wallis describes Cadet Cpt. Landeros as someone who gets things done and is an energetic leader.  According to his American Government teacher, Mr. Sweet, Brian is fearless and doesn’t know it has to be hard to get the grades he obtains.  Brian shared that what he has learned is that perseverance is the key to obtaining his goals.  Brian is looking to attend UC San Diego, UC Irvine or UCLA and will major in biology to enter the medical field.

 Paloma Valley High School’s Student of the Month is Autumn Schmitz.  Autumn currently holds a 4.053 and according to her AP US History teacher, Mr. Raymond, she finished as the top student in his class.  He also shared that she is one of the kindest persons he has ever met.  She is a giver to her school, community, and family.  Autumn shared that she has had to overcome medical issues and an unstable home life before living with her father and stepmother, and working towards her goals.  She is looking forward to attending culinary school to become pastry chef as well as earning her business degree.

 All of these students demonstrated a desire to work hard and have a drive to exceed others and their own expectations.  The Perris Valley Chamber and the Menifee Valley Chamber wish them the best in their endeavors. If you wish to learn more about the Student of the Month Program, please contact founder, Sally Myers at (951) 506-8024.