Seven LEUSD Seniors Shine

Seven high school seniors from the Lake Elsinore Unified School District have been honored as Student of the Month award winners, under the auspices of the Lake Elsinore Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Lake Elsinore Sizzler Restaurant.

Students are individually selected by teachers and school staff for their character, love of learning, leadership, community service, and their ability to persevere through challenging circumstances.

January "Student of the Month" Honorees:

ELSINORE HIGH SCHOOL

Joshua De Soto plans to attend Vanguard University next fall on scholarship as a Business Marketing major. Joshua has been active in AVID for one year. He joined the swim team in his junior year, impressing his coach with gutsy, if not perfect, dives. His ability to dive in and come up smiling is how Josh approaches AP classes, water polo, and campus life. Nor is he shy about saying EHS is the best!

Mary Mendoza wants to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point, having recently been nominated by Congressman Darrell Issa (R-49th). Her goal is to become a doctor or an on-base surgeon. She has earned top grades in anatomy, while pursuing interests in biology and photojournalism. She is athletic, having lettered in both tennis and softball. Mary is active in the Interact Club, and volunteers on the senior prom organizing committee. Her positive attitude and perseverance are dominant traits. The most important advice Mary puts into practice every day is striving to do one’s best.

LAKESIDE HIGH SCHOOL

Cristobal Rodriguez is a scholar, student athlete, and one who leads by example. He plans to attend UCSB, majoring in Engineering. His personal creed includes words such as: innovating, achieving and leading. Soccer is his main passion, but AVID, the culinary arts CTE program, and Environmental Club round out his school pursuits. He recently received an All County Recognition as an outstanding soccer player. As a servant leader, Cristobal enjoys tutoring fellow athletes, going so far as to drive a friend to zero period every day to support his friend as a newcomer to the AVID program. Lake Elsinore SOM Article_Jan2012 Page 2 of 3

Molly Akins is a multi-sport talent, with equal artistic and academic ability. She has won awards in photography, science, and history. Molly has played varsity volleyball (serving as captain) and softball. She plans on a career in physical therapy, and has applied to Northern Arizona, UCR, UC Davis, and CSU Long Beach. Because of the diversity and breadth of her talents, she is described as a veritable Renaissance woman and role model to other young ladies on campus.

ORTEGA HIGH SCHOOL

Paul Puletz says that OHS helped overcome a lack of motivation by giving him the will to succeed. Through caring teachers, and supportive parents, Paul’s initial apathy was transformed into appreciation. He won a Riverside County Citizenship Award in 2011. Paul plans on attending a community college because of his interest in criminal justice and becoming a corrections officer. He has truly taken responsibility for his future, crediting OHS for giving him a second chance. His advice to other students: work hard and do it right the first time.

TEMESCAL CANYON HIGH SCHOOL

Bret Paddock, along with a positive attitude, works to make every challenge an opportunity. He plans on attending the University of Redlands to study Audiology. As a talented musician, Bret plays string bass and piano. He has helped to build the theater arts program at TCHS, stoking his reputation as a tour de force. Assembling a pit orchestra from scratch is the kind of artistic challenge only a determined fellow like Bret could pull off, just one example of the creative effort Brett puts forth at every opportunity.

Gianna Poidmore says what started in the fifth grade as an exciting run for ASB turned into a “can do” ethic that has served her well ever since. She belongs to the National Honors Society, AVID and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Though being on camera for Titan TV makes her feel anxious, a genuine enthusiasm for reporting the college minute segment always shines through. Her first choice of colleges is the University of San Diego, where she plans to study either Pediatrics or trauma nursing. Tenacity is her strong suit, which has enabled her to keep up her studies, while giving back to her church as a Youth Director, and community volunteer. –LEUSD