Temecula Honors September Students of the Month

Six Temecula high school seniors were honored as Students of the Month on Sept. 19 by the Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce (TVCC). The students were recognized by their families, teachers, principals, the business community, and locally elected officials. This is the 23rd year the TVCC Student of the Month Program has honored students in the Temecula Valley.

Emily Wong, Chaparral High School Emily Wong says one of the pivotal learning experiences she’s had in life is when she was bullied in elementary school. Emily, who is Chinese, attended a predominantly white school in another state. She says, “My first day of school was nothing but racial remarks.” She says that when she came to Chaparral High School she was encouraged by the school’s diversity and plenitude of clubs and activities to get involved with. She says, “I decided to take on leadership positions and surrounded myself with positive people.” Emily says one of the biggest life lessons she’s learned is, “We are greater than the snide remarks that others make. We need to stay focused and work hard for something greater.”

This is Emily Wong’s fourth year participating in Chaparral High School’s Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corp (NJROTC). NJROTC instructor Paul Bishop says, “Emily has earned a myriad of ribbons and medals in our program for such qualities as academic excellence, outstanding physical fitness, community service, military proficiency, and outstanding leadership.”  Last May, Emily was awarded the Stephen Decatur Award for Outstanding Leadership by the Surface Navy Association. Two years ago, she received the Celebrate Freedom Foundation Award, presented by the Embry Riddle Aeronautical University.  After graduation, Emily plans on enrolling at SDSU and taking part in the NJROTC RN program. She would ultimately like to become a Navy Nurse Officer.

Paula Lucci Caizeta, Temecula Advantage Virtual School Nominating teacher, Brian Balaris describes Paula as an, “engaging, compassionate, outstanding student and person.” He says, “Paula is a trailblazer for our program”. During her junior year at TVAS, Paula took two Advanced Placement (AP) courses and passed both exams. Mr. Balaris says, “We learn from our best students, and I’ve learned a lot from Paula.”

Paula’s mom says she and her husband moved to the United States 27 years ago “with a suitcase and a dream”.  As a first generation Brazilian-American, Paula says she has always pushed herself to succeed at every task and she says she’s established herself as a “responsible student and well-rounded individual”.  With a 4.25 GPA, Paula has spent the majority of her life striving for perfection. However, she says she has also learned that “failure motivates me to change the mistakes in my life and to work harder to overcome my obstacles”.  Paula is considering applying to UCLA, UCSD and USC. She hopes to study computer science and programming.

Chloe Howard, Linfield Christian High School Chloe’s Theater teacher, Drea Lee describes her as, “a versatile student” who “can do many things at the same time”. She says, “Chloe is always loving and kind and always strives to do things for others”. Chloe serves as ASB President and is very active in Linfield’s drama department. Chloe’s mother agrees, “She burns a candle at both ends – always busy, always doing something, somewhere”. Having attended Linfield Christian School since kindergarten, Chloe says she has leaned that, “with a servant’s heart and genuine care for others, you can set an example for those around you.” Chloe plans to apply to Chapman, Baylor or NYU, where she would like to major in technical theater and lighting design. 

Elli Mae Borromeo, Rancho Vista High School Elli Mae Borromeo was nominated by her US History teacher, Scott Wrisley. Mr. Wrisley describes Elli as “a self-starter, someone who is conscientious and strives for excellence.” He adds, “Elli Mae has been an example of excellence since the first day she arrived last year. She is at school early every day, she uses class time efficiently, she helps others stay on task, and consistently goes the extra mile. She’s the type of student who finishes her work before it’s even due."

Elli says that before she came to RVHS she was struggling to keep up in a large high school environment. Now at RVHS, Elli likes the personal one-on-one help she receives from teachers. She says now she feels “more powerful and independent.” After she graduates, Elli plans on studying medical assisting at San Joaquin Valley College in hopes of pursuing a career as a medical assistant, and then working her way up into nursing.

Michelle Rapaport, Temecula Valley High School Michelle’s AP Economics/Government teacher Jeff Waugh says, “Michelle is the perfect combination of an outstanding academia, a student who makes a tremendous impact on others, and a young lady with a wonderful sense of humor and a steady moral compass.” Ranked # 4 in her class, with a 4.5 GPA, Michelle is Treasurer for the National Honor Society and ASB. In addition, she volunteers on Sundays at a homeless shelter. Michelle says that during her volunteer experience she has met people from various backgrounds who have fallen on hard economic times. She says it’s inspiring to see people at the shelter, who come from all walks of life, working together and helping one another in a time of need. Michelle’s life lesson is “always try your best and enjoy the things you do in life.” Michelle plans to attend a four-year university to obtain a masters degree in business, mathematics, or engineering.

Maya Elliott, Great Oak High School Maya’s IB English teacher, Aimee Ricken describes Maya as, “A phenomenal young lady. She is an IB/AP scholar who takes learning seriously, not just because she desires to achieve but also because she genuinely loves learning. She’s inquisitive and a risk taker when it comes to pushing herself across all areas of the curriculum.” Mrs. Ricken says Maya is a student who can control a classroom with ease. She says, “Her charisma and speaking skills are second to none.” By embracing her education as an “independent thinker,” Mrs. Ricken says, “Her peers witness her passion and genuine care for others on a consistent basis.”

Maya says she has learned in life that, “practice does not make perfect, but makes permanent.” She believes that, “we all have strength within us. Our destinies are undecided and our opportunities are endless.” She says the greatest lesson she has learned in life is that we all have the ability to reach out to others around us who might be struggling; each opportunity to help others is an opportunity for ourselves to grow as well. While still undecided on her college plans, she plans on applying to NYU.