Murrieta Students of the Year Named

News release:

The Murrieta Valley Chamber of Commerce High School Student of the Year Recognition Program was held on Thursday, May 23.

The students and their families attended a breakfast sponsored by numerous local businesses. Principals and students shared stories and each Student of the Year received a $1,600 college scholarship along with numerous gift certificates from community businesses, certificates of recognition, congratulations and encouragement from local, county, state and federal dignitaries.

Shown in the attached photo are: Back row, left to right: Sally A. Myers (Founder); Margaret Jones (Chair); Jennifer Pham (Coordinator); Patrick Ellis (CEO, Murrieta Chamber of Commerce); Pat Kelley (MVUSD Superintendent) Andy Morris (Murrieta Chamber of Commerce); Ken Tibbetts (Riverside County Office of Education); and Ken Dickson (MVUSD Board Trustee). Shown in the first row, left to right, are Haley Cressler (Tenaja Canyon Academy); Casey Joe (Murrieta Mesa High School); Nick Stevens (Vista Murrieta High School); Haley Soto (Creekside High School); Annika Backlund (Murrieta Valley High School); and Amanda Do (Calvary Murrieta Christian High School). Not pictured is Oak Grove Center Student of the Year Isamar Zambrano.

Vista Murrieta High School Student of the Year Nick Stevens  is an outstanding student who has maintained a 4.4 GPA while taking seven AP classes and five dual enrollment courses. Nick plays baseball, basketball and he was  quarterback of the football team. He volunteers with Sports for Exceptional Athletes, a sports camp for special needs individuals. Nick has also been involved in student leadership and AVID. Nick is known for his character and integrity and he wants to be remembered as someone who gave back to the community.  He has a football scholarship to attend Colorado State University where he will major in engineering.  

Oak Grove Center Student of the Year Isamar Zambrano plans to attend Riverside Community College and then transfer to the University of California, Riverside, where she will major in child psychology. Isamar has a passion for children and she would like to someday have her own preschool.  Isamar has overcome many obstacles in her life but she decided to be the best person she could be and not let the obstacles in her life stand in the way of achieving her dreams. Isamar has been involved in the Interact Club at her school and she values helping people. She is a leader and role model for the students at school.  

Calvary Murrieta Christian High School Student of the Year Amanda Do is a student who always gives more than is asked of her, academically and socially. Amanda is known for her perseverance,  determination,  intelligence, character and her amazing work ethic. She is a member of her school’s ASB and she has played varsity volleyball and track. While school has always been a top priority for Amanda, she  also values her relationships with her peers and teachers. Amanda is a gifted piano player and she also teaches Sunday school. Amanda will attend UCLA and she is currently undecided on her major. 

Tenaja Canyon Academy Student of the Year Haley Cressler has an intuitive ability to assess the world around her and relate to all kinds of people.  Her passion in life is helping people and she volunteers at the community food pantry. Haley is determined to achieve her goals and she is self-motivated and disciplined in her studies; qualities which will serve her well in life.  Haley plans to go to San Francisco State University and major in psychology. Her career goal is to become a psychiatrist so she can help people overcome problems in their lives.

Murrieta Mesa High School Student of the Year Casey Joe will attend UCLA where she will major in communications and minor in public health.  Casey is USB President this year and she has been involved in drama, the Pink Ribbon Club, Key Club, California Honor Society and National Honor Society. As a third grader she started a neighborhood kids club and they collected donations for the food pantry and for  homeless people. Casey is known her passion for helping people, leadership and service. She is one of 1,000 students nationwide to receive the GATES Millennium Scholarship.

Creekside High School Student of the Year Haley Soto has served as the student representative to the Board of Education this year and she has been involved in volunteering for the local animal shelter and Produce for People. Haley started at Creekside at the beginning of this year and although she was behind in credits, with the help of her teachers and through her own determination, she will  graduate on time. She plans on attending Riverside City College and transferring to University of California, Riverside, where she will major in psychology.  She would like to become a school psychologist or social worker so she can help struggling students set goals and succeed. 

Murrieta Valley High School Student of the Year Annika Backlund is a scholar athlete who has played varsity volleyball and  pole vaults for the  track and field team. She has accumulated over 460 community service hours through her involvement in the World Language club, Fellowship of Christian athletes, National Honor Society and 3 years on ASB. On a mission trip to Uganda, Annika was struck by the poverty in Africa so when she came home, she started a Habitat for Humanity club at her school. Annika will attend Lipscomb University, a small Christian school in Tennessee, and she plans to go into nursing. Annika’s teachers admire her tenacity and say she is a model student and a role model for her peers. 

The Students of the Year were chosen by a panel of anonymous, independent judges from this year's Students of the Month. These outstanding college-bound students were chosen for their character, integrity, love of learning, ability to persevere and overcome challenging circumstances, community service and how they make a difference on their high school campus.

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 have any additional questions, please contact Karen Parris, Murrieta SOM Publicity Coordinator 951-696-1600, ext. 1022.