OCEANSIDE, Calif., Congratulations to November’s Rising Stars-
Vaeh Dunn from Surfside Educational Academy
Julia Metzger from Oceanside High School
Joseph Molano from El Camino High School
Noe Hernandez from Coastal Academy High School
These 12th grade students will be honored for rising above their circumstances Tuesday, Nov. 15th, from 8-9:30 a.m. when the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce hosts its Rising Star Student of the Month program for the 2022-23 school year. The event will be at the William A. Wagner Aquatic Center, 3306 Senior Center Drive, Oceanside.
The program, in its second year, aims to champion students who have overcome significant challenges in their lives, but have managed to keep, or get back on track with their education. The Chamber honors a high school senior from each of our area high schools at the monthly breakfast events.
Each school principal collaborates with his or her staff to nominate one 12th grader per month. The students must be college or vocational school-bound and they should emulate the program’s mission statement: “Convening the business and education community to honor Oceanside seniors for rising above adversity by demonstrating character, integrity, school and community engagement that make our city shine like a star.”
Honorees are then eligible to apply for higher education scholarships that will be awarded at the end of the school year. While scholarships may be awarded for a wide variety of fields of study, the Chamber and its Workforce Development Task Force will be asked to keep in mind the emerging industries in the region including technology, biotech/life sciences, and advanced manufacturing.
During the event, the school principals and the student’s parents and mentoring teachers will share what sets this student apart from other students and provide examples of their character, integrity, passion, focus and perseverance that has made them such a Rising Star on their campus and in our community. Oceanside’s Mayor Esther Sanchez is set to speak and she will provide commendations to each Rising Star along with elected officials Supervisor Jim Desmond, Assemblywoman Tasha Boerner Horvath, Senator Pat Bates and Congressman Mike Levin.
Scott Ashton, the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce’s CEO, said they are hosting the Rising Star program as part of its larger workforce development initiative.
“The primary objectives are student recognition, scholarships for higher education and building of relationships between the business community and K-12 educational system. We are focused on engaging with our educational partners to ensure a strong workforce pipeline for Oceanside businesses,” Ashton said.
At the end of the school year, our goal is to give scholarships to several students from each of our participating high schools to assist in funding a post-secondary education of the student’s choice. Last year, due to the generosity of our scholarship sponsors Genentech and Tri-City Medical Center, the Oceanside Chamber foundation was able to provide 11 deserving Rising Star students a total of $26,000 in scholarships. For our second cohort of Rising Stars, we are proud to announce that Genentech and Tri-City Medical Center have once, again, matched their support of the scholarship program. They are our Presenting Sponsors and are joined by additional Scholarship Sponsors, P.E.O. International and UEI College. Thank you to these sponsors as well as our Venue Sponsor, City of Oceanside; Food Sponsors, North County Roastery and Frontwave Credit Union; Gold Sponsors MiraCosta College and California Coast Credit Union; Silver Sponsors Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market, Wells Fargo, SDG&E and Grand Canyon University. Many thanks to One Kitchen Collaborative, Sizzler, and Handel’s Ice Cream.
Each Rising Star is also eligible for mentoring and leadership training to help them prepare for higher education and the workplace with services provided by Chamber members from the business, higher education, healthcare, public service, and other sectors. Rising Star events are open to all community members who want to show their support for our students. Tickets are $25 for Chamber members and $40 for prospective members. Register for the breakfasts, scholarships, and mentorships at www.risingstaroceanside.
About the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce
Founded in 1896, the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce’s mission is to stimulate economic prosperity and foster a thriving and united community. The membership, advocacy and training community-based organization serves the Oceanside business community, as well as its active-duty service members serving aboard the adjacent Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. The Chamber’s workforce development program collaborates with regional training and education programs to ensure job seekers are receiving employer-driven job training that produces enriching employment experiences. To list your open positions on our job board or collaborate with us to solve your employment gaps and barriers, contact Victoria@oceansidechamber.com.
