Murrieta Introduces March’s Top Students

From the Murrieta Valley Unified School District: On March 15, 2018, the Murrieta Chamber of Commerce High School Student of the Month Program was held and the students were recognized.

Murrieta Valley High School Senior Erika Moe is an IB Diploma student who maintains a 4.63 GPA. She is a member of California Scholarship Federation and National Honor Society. Erika enjoys being challenged and she is passionate about psychology, Spanish, fitness and music. She plans to attend the University of California at Irvine where she will be in their Honors program. She is undecided on a major but her curiosity for learning, hard work and dedication will serve her well in the future.

Vista Murrieta High School Senior Abigail Murray is second in her class of 811. She has a GPA of 4.55 earned while taking 19 Dual Enrollment and AP courses. Abby was selected as a National Merit Commended Scholar and she has been offered the Presidential Scholarship award, a full ride to Montana State University. Abby is a well-rounded young woman with character, humility, and a desire to be a leader and help others. She is Captain of Link Crew, a pole-vaulter on the track and field team, serves on the Murrieta Youth Advisory Committee and she has taken two mission trips to Haiti which she said changed her perspective. Abby plans to major in civil engineering with a biochemical focus.

Murrieta Canyon Academy Senior Sophie Pitts is first in her class with a 4.0 GPA. She plans to attend Paul Mitchell School and then wants to go to art school. Sophie has learned to be independent as a result of her mother’s illness and hospitalization during much of the past year. She has learned how to keep the house functioning and Sophie is described as accepting, resilient, empathetic and kind. She hopes to use her artistic talents help people in need.

Springs Charter School Senior Lauren Mason is an AP and Honors student who is interested in arts and technology. She volunteers for Shakespeare in the Vines and has done an internship while completing two Career Technical Education pathways. Lauren wants to major in computer science and child development. She plans to attend MSJC to obtain an Associates of Arts degree in computer science and child development and then transfer to a university.

Calvary Chapel Murrieta High School Senior Hailey Echan is ASB President and a member of National Honor Society. Hailey feels the need to help as many people as she can and she has participated in her school’s ministries to skid row and mission trips to Mexico and Belize. She also started a social media movement with a friend that focuses on positivity and they raised money for a family with a sick child. Hailey plan to attend Seattle Pacific University and study global development studies.

Murrieta Mesa High School Senior Emily Larson is a strong student who maintains a 4.4 GPA while taking rigorous courses. Emily is National Honor Society President and she is in California Scholarship Federation. She has been involved in student leadership for three years and is co-founder and co-president of the Politically Minded Student Club at her school. She has participated in Model United Nations for three years. In addition to participating in Murrieta Youth in Government, she is also involved in the American Sign Language program. Emily hopes to attend UC Berkeley and she plans to run for public office.

Video of the entire program produced by Alan J. Cook of Group 1 Productions

If you wish to learn more about the Student of the Month Program, please contact Sally A. Myers, Founder at (951) 506-8024. If you are interested in sponsoring the Student of the Month program, please contact LouEllen Ficke, Chair of the Murrieta Student of the Month Program at (951 719-1213.

Photo credit to Kip A. Cothran of KC Photography, video courtesy of the Murrieta Valley Unified School District:

Shown standing from left to right are: Mary Walters, MVUSD Executive Director of Secondary Education; Mark Pettengill, Principal Murrieta Valley High School; Martina Beach-Hedges, Principal Murrieta Canyon Academy; Mick Wager, Principal Vista Murrieta High School; Ben Taylor, Principal Springs Charter School; Derick Roth, Principal Calvary Christian High School and Steve Ellis, Principal Murrieta Mesa High School.

Shown sitting left to right are: Erika Moe, Murrieta Valley High School; Sophia Pitts, Murrieta Canyon Academy; Abigail Murray, Vista Murrieta High School; Lauren Mason Springs Charter School; Hailey Echan, Calvary Murrieta High School and Emily Larson, Murrieta Mesa High School.