By TR Robertson
On Tuesday, at a morning breakfast at the Westin Carlsbad Resort & Spa, nine seniors from 5 high schools in Carlsbad received $1,500 scholarships as part of the Rising Star of the Year Awards program. The event, hosted by the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce has been presenting monthly Rising Star Awards for four years honoring high school seniors for their service, dedication and commitment to their school and the community.
The Mission Statement of the Rising Star Program is “To bring the community together to honor our local high school seniors for 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 Rising Star of the Month is the student who makes a difference in their home, school and community with sincerity and passion.”
Bret Schanzenbach, Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce CEO, opened the ceremony with a welcome and introductions of guests. Leading those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance was Carlsbad Chamber Chair of the Executive Committee, Josh Mazur. Also in attendance was Glen McDonald, representative for Assemblymember Tasha Boerner Horvath and Emma Palmer, representative for Congressman Mike Levin.
Bret told the guests that the “Mission Statement of the Carlsbad Chamber is to promote business through member services, economic and community development, and public policy that balances economic prosperity with quality of life.” He said the students selected represent members of the community that are working in their schools to make the community a better place. Their passion challenges they have overcome, willingness to give back to their school, community, and dedication to volunteering in a myriad of ways has led to their selection as their school’s winning representative of the Rising Star of the Year from their school.
The Breakfast and Scholarship Sponsors are the Carlsbad Charitable Foundation, Carlsbad Education Foundation, Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation – Discovery Center, Gregorio’s Restaurant, Phillips + Company Real Estate Group, Eshelman Appraisals, Tri-City Medical Center, Nordson Corporation, and Republic Services. Laura Pitts from the Carlsbad Education Foundation, Dave Eshelman from Eshelman Appraisals and Aaron Byzak from Tri-City Medical Center spoke about the significance of the Rising Star program and their willingness to support these outstanding seniors who had been selected.
Eight of the nine seniors receiving awards were in attendance. Drake Snyder from Army and Navy Academy was not present as their school finished the academic year two weeks ago. Administrators from the high schools in attendance introduced the students selected from their school and spoke about the accomplishments of the students at their school and in the community. Each student introduced parents and other relatives in attendance and then gave a short presentation about their drive to succeed and serve others in their school and community. They also told those attending of their future plans and the schools of high education they will be attending.
The Award ceremony concluded with Bret Schanzenbach once again thanking those in attendance, especially the parents and relatives of the students receiving the scholarship awards. He pointed out to the audience the challenging work the students have put in at their schools and the community in striving to make this a better place to live and work. He encouraged the students to return to Carlsbad once they finish their higher education and bring their talents and energy back to Carlsbad and he reminded everyone these nine seniors are from the 30 high school seniors that were honored during the school year months as Rising Star Students of the Month and those winning awards represent the highest ideals of the program.
