Chambers of Commerce Honor Students of Month

From left: Dr. Jonathan Greenberg, Superintendent, Perris Union High School District; Michelle Runnells, Menifee Valley Chamber of Commerce; Cindy Espinoza, Perris Valley Chamber of Commerce; Connor Gillette, Paloma Valley High School; Cesar Martinez, Heritage High School; Jose Flores, Perris Lake High School; Eduardo Campos, Perris High School; Councilman Elect Mark Yarbrough, City of Perris; and Councilman Greg August, City of Menifee.

The Menifee Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Perris Valley Chamber of Commerce recently honored local high school students as Students of the Month for December. 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 student honorees 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 Conner Gillette. Connor is one of those students who excel at just about everything, according to Principal Don Williamson. Connor is a three-sport athlete and continues to maintain a GPA over 4.0. Aside from being an athlete and scholar, Connor is very compassionate toward his fellow students and is a positive role model. He was one of a small group of students chosen to address the Freshman Foundation classes during Red Ribbon Week and encouraged the underclassmen to live a healthy and positive lifestyle. Connor attributes his successful education to the teachers at Paloma Valley, whom he says "love what they teach and they love the students." Connor plans to attend UC Santa Barbara and major in chemical engineering.

Heritage High School’s Cesar Martinez is December’s Student of the Month. Cesar is an exemplary student who is an executive member of the National Honor Society and a member of AVID. According to Principal Frank Arce, Cesar was very surprised to hear of his nomination. He said that his sister had won the same award just a few years earlier and was worried that she would hold it over him. Cesar’s teacher, Mr. Poseley, stated that during a recent field trip, he had the opportunity to witness first-hand Cesar’s leadership abilities and how he perseveres as he faces a new challenge. Cesar shared that he was grateful for what high school has taught him and is especially thankful for his parents and family’s support. He plans to attend UC Riverside and will be majoring in computer science or engineering.

Jose Flores is Perris Lake High School’s Student of the Month. Jose is one of those students who is described as a gentleman and who represents the best at Perris Lake, according to Principal Dean Hauser. He explained that when students come to the Lake, they are not asked why they are there but how are they going to do well and get through the obstacles? Jose took that to heart and went from feeling helpless and discouraged to making a decision that he was determined to do what was needed to graduate and prepare for the future. Through the support he’s received from teachers, especially Mr. Goffman, and staff, he stated, "If there is one thing I have learned through this journey, it is that through determination, anything is possible." Not only will Jose graduate, he is graduating early in March and plans to attend National University Poly Tech to become a welder.

Perris High School’s Student of the Month is Eduardo Campos. duardo is a very unassuming, low key kind of person who gets the job done, according to Principal Nick Hilton. His skills with photography have placed him as photo editor for both the school newspaper and yearbook. Along with his photography responsibilities, Eduardo is on the robotics team and is active in various other clubs and organizations. He has a very positive presence on campus and his passion for photography has led him to create the film club, where he serves as president and founder. Eduardo shared that he loves mentoring others and helping them learn about photography. His top three college choices are Humboldt University, University of Redlands, and Washington State. He plans to double major in photography and women’s studies.

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