By TR Robertson
An early morning breakfast Friday in the Vista Civic Center Morris B. Vance Community Room, sponsored by Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps and the City of Vista, was the scene for the Vista Chamber of Commerce Rising Star of the Year Scholarship Awards ceremony. Through donations and other fund raisers the Chamber of Commerce raised and awarded $25,000 in scholarship money to thirty local high school students from a number of different schools in the Vista area. The number of students receiving scholarship funds and the amount of money raised represents the most given out in the Vista Chamber Rising Star Program history. Parents, guests, local and state governmental representatives attended along with the students being honored. Mayor John Frankin and State Assembly Member Laurie Davies were in attendance as well as Sally Meyers who began the Rising Star of the month program, in 1992, with Temecula Valley High School and the Temecula Chamber of Commerce.
The Rising Star program’s mission statement is to recognize students who are “demonstrating character, integrity, love of learning, involvement in school and community activities and/or the ability to overcome challenging life circumstances without compromising their education”. The core of the program is to recognize students who “make a difference in their home, school and community with sincerity and passion”. The Vista Chamber honored 48 high school students this school year with students selected each month who attend a morning breakfast to receive their award certificates. The Scholarship winners for the school year are selected by a panel of judges who read through and evaluate applications and essays submitted by monthly Rising Star winners who choose to apply.
The Rising Star Scholarship Sponsors include Watkins Wellness, The Nikolas Ljubic Scholarship, California State University San Marcos, Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soap, Dr. Matt Doyle, EDCO, Fix Auto Vista, Joe Green and Green Team Realty, Kiwanis Club of Sunrise Vista, OYC Americas, Santa Fe Dental Group, Sizzler, Tideline Partners, Tory R. Walker Engineering, Vista Community Clinic, Vista PEO Chapter and 216 more Vista Chamber Members.
This year’s program began with a welcome from Vista Chamber CEO Rachel Beld, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Vista Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Matt Doyle. Dr. Doyle then welcomed those in attendance and spoke about the working relationship the district has with the City of Vista. He said this has led to a “friend for the future” attitude. Dr. Doyle explained that the schools develop a learner portrait of the students, and he is optimistic about the future success of these students due to this personal plan that is developed for the students. Assembly Member Laurie Davies spoke next, thanking the parents and mentors of the students in attendance for helping with the success these students have had. She said to the students in the room, “You give us hope” and she congratulated them on the success they have achieved.
Rachel next recognized and thanked the sponsors of the Rising Star program in Vista. Before beginning the recognition portion of todays award ceremony, she spoke about the mission of the Rising Star program and challenged the students to continue their passion for learning, developing a legacy of their own and to return to Vista after their college education or whatever path they choose after high school.
The Awards program began with the presentation of the Awards of Merit $500 Scholarships. The names of the students were announced as was their high school and the name of the school principal or representative. Each student approached the podium to receive certificates and awards along with the principal or representative. Several students were unable to attend due to testing in their schools.
Award of Merit – $500 scholarship
Cailey Fernendez – Alta Vista High School
Emanuel Yanez – Guajome Park Academy
Jazmine Hernandez – Guajome Park Academy
Valerie Perez Martinez – Guajome Park Academy
Salvatore Palizzolo – Mission Vista High School
Carlos Rosa – Mission Vista High School
Eleanor Diaz – Mission Vista High School
Donovan Fanella – Mission Vista High School
Belen Sanchez – Mission Vista High School
Emmanuel Bejarano – Rancho Buena Vista High School
Oscar Villegas – Rancho Buena Vista High School
Samantha Valdez – Rancho Buena Vista High School
Ahtziri Jimenez – Rancho Buena Vista High School
Rebekah Brisby – North County Trade Tech
Michael Cooley – North County Trade Tech
Ilona Medina – Vista High School
Zachary Schmid – Vista High School
Melody Hernandez Solorio – Vista High School
Dulce Mercado – Vista High School
The next set of scholarships involved the principal of the school or representative introducing the student and speaking about their involvement at the school and what made the student deserving of the scholarship. They then introduced the student who spoke, thanking the Chamber and the committee for the award, introducing their parents or family members who were attending, talking about any challenges they have dealt with and telling the audience what school they planned to attend and their future major.
PEO Distinguished Female Student – $1,000 Scholarship
Ruby Villanueva – Mission Vita High School – majoring in engineering in college.
The Nicolas Ljubic Scholarship – $1,000 Scholarship
Adam Draves – Vista High School – UCLA – Biochemistry
Maleia Pato – Vista High School – Pt. Loma Nazarene College – Child Psychology
Racer Simmonds – Vista High School – Mira Costa College – Horticulture
Rising Stars of the Year – $1,500 Scholarship
Akari Atempa – Guajome Park Academy – SDSU – Business – Superintendent Kevin Humphrey
Makhi Harris – Trade Tech High School – Principal Chloe Medina
Brandon Jaimes – Alta Vista High School – Palomar J.C. – Kinesiology – Principal Joel Miller
Belinda Lopez – Vista Visions Academy – Palomar – Business Admin. Principal Joel Miller
Kayleen Speller – Mission Vista High School – UCLA – Engineering – Principal Jeremy Walden
Joaquin Verduzco – Rancho Buena Vista High School – Principal Dr. Jose Villarreal
Malena Zendejas – Vista High School – UCLA – Principal Megan Ratliff
If you would like to help sponsor this special program, contact the Vista Chamber of Commerce at 760-726-1122 or go to www.vistachamber.org.
