Each month, seven college-bound seniors from Lake Elsinore Unified School District high schools are selected to attend a luncheon at Sizzler Restaurant in honor of their outstanding achievements. The luncheon is sponsored by the Lake Elsinore Valley Chamber of Commerce and local businesses and organizations in Lake Elsinore, Canyon Lake and Wildomar.

October’s students of the month are pictured above. Joining them in the photo are Sally Myers, the founder of the Student of the Month program. The female students of the month, from left to right, are: Amber Torres, Elsinore High; Corinna Coser, Lakeside High; Janel Duax, Temescal Canyon High; and Jennifer Hernandez, Gordon Kiefer Independent Study School. The boys, from left to right, are: Yovani Ramirez, Elsinore High; Edwin Acuna, Lakeside High; and Erik Larsen, Temescal Canyon High.

September District Students of the Month

The individuals seated (from left to right) in the attached photograph are: student Phyllis Dugan, Elsinore High School; student Elena Vergara, Lakeside High School; student Francesca Zuccola, Temescal Canyon High School; and Brittney Ross, Gordon Kiefer Independent Study School. Standing (from left to right) are: Sally Myers, Student of the Month program founder; student Garrett Highland, Elsinore High School; Kyle Linton, Lakeside High School; Maurice Rodriguez, Temescal Canyon High School; and Kim Cousins, CEO/President of the Lake Elsinore Valley Chamber of Commerce.

The Chamber of Commerce High School Student of the Month Programs in Temecula, Murrieta, Lake Elsinore and Perris/Menifee kicked-off its 18^th year of recognizing and inspiring academic excellence and scholarship the end of September.  The high schools in these districts, including the alternative schools, Linfield and Oak Grove Center selected 27 students to attend one of the four respective recognition events to honor these college bound seniors.  The students were personally acknowledged by their principals, teachers and their families.  Certificates of Recognition were presented by the respective Chambers of Commerce, Cities, State Senator, State Assembly, County Supervisor, School District and US Congressional Office.  The students also receive a bag full of special gift certificates to local restaurants, movie theaters, and other fun places like Lake Elsinore Storm Baseball, Mulligan’s, Brunswick Bowling, and more.  They also receive Thank You Cards and are asked to hand write thank you notes to the generous sponsors. 

The Student of the Month Program honors 270 college bound seniors from September through May and concludes its program in June with its Annual Scholarship & Recognition Event which awards the 27 Students of the Year with upwards of $45,000 in college scholarships provided by local businesses and organizations.  In April all of the Students of the Month will complete a scholarship application administrated by the Chambers of Commerce to competitively select the students to be named as the 2009-2010 Students of the Year.  Over 4,600 students have been honored in its 18 year history.

The students are selected for their character, integrity, love of learning, demonstration of commitment and passion for a special project on campus or in the community, or have persevered through a challenging experience.  The students share their personal stories and are acknowledged among their peers for inspiring others students in the community.  The program is video-taped and aired on Time Warner Cable TV in Temecula, Lake Elsinore and Perris/Menifee.

The luncheon is attended by its sponsors (local businesses, clubs and organizations), school representatives and the student’s families.  The four Student of the Month Programs are independently administrated by 20 volunteers under the direction of its Founder, Sally Myers, who operates the local Sizzler Restaurants.  The local Chairs are Jennifer Cloud, Alisa Garrett, Jerri Selway, and Vikita Poindexter in Temecula; Margaret Jones and Jennifer Pham in Murrieta; Donna Romo, Kim Cousins and Michele Thomas in Lake Elsinore; and Sarah Rico and Linda Quattlebaum in Perris/Menifee.  The program is grateful to all its volunteers and sponsors.  The Student of the Month Program welcomes new sponsors and invites you to consider being part of the program.  For information please call Sally Myers at (951) 506-8024.

Please give Darlene Romo the names and reasons of your students who deserve to be students of the month no later than October 16^th.

9^th Grade

Bailey Chatwin

Nathan Sullivan

10^th Grade

Ashtyn Nelson

Kurt Clements

11^th Grade

Sarah Klimminski

Casey Spiegel

12^th Grade

Francesca Zuccolla

Maurice Rodriguez