Meet TVUSD's October Students of the Month

PHOTO: Names (seated left to right): Kyla Cooper (Chaparral High School), Mandy Leigh (Linfield Christian High School), Nicholas Hermesman (Great Oak High School), Amanda Ketcham (Rancho Christian High School), Neville Muringayi (Temecula Preparatory School) and Savannah McLaughlin (Temecula Valley High School). Standing in the back row: Sally Myers, founder/advisor of the Student of the Month Program.

The following is a news release from the Temecula Valley Unified School District:

Six Temecula high school seniors were honored as Students of the Month on October 16th by the Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce (TVCC). The students were recognized by their families, teachers, principals, the business community, and locally elected officials. This is the 24th year the TVCC Student of the Month Program has honored students in the Temecula Valley.

Student of the Month Award Recipients:

Chaparral High School ~ Kyla Cooper
Kyla is involved in many clubs at Chaparral High School and is a swim team captain. She plans to go to college to obtain a PhD and become a college mathematics professor. An obstacle she had to overcome was to prepare for both a big swim meet and an AP test. Her coach and teacher believed in her and with their support, was able to succeed at both. Kyla’s father, Troy Cooper, said that as a 4th or 5th grader, he found Post- it notes with goals written on them on the back of Kyla’s bedroom door. Kyla’s nominating teacher, Anne McNulty said Kyla is a tenacious learner who will not let go of learning something, which is a trait that will take her far in life.

Linfield Christian High School ~ Mandy Leigh
Mandy is not sure what she wants to do or where she wants to attend college after her senior year of high school but has learned to take a step back and enjoy the moments, like watching a football game in the back of a pickup truck or taking car rides to the beach with her friends. When her best friend died during her sophomore year, she became more involved, at first as a distraction, but then because of the enjoyment of doing it. Principal Holly Wilson said Mandy is the editor of the yearbook, senior class president, is taking four AP classes and through it all finds time to think of others, like sending flowers to the mom of her best friend who passed away. Nominating teacher, Joanna Ricketts, said Mandy “is a creative and innovative leader with an ambitious heart to go after accomplishing every goal she sets for her life.” He father, Dan Leigh feels that she will be able to climb every mountain and hopes she enjoys the journey.

Great Oak High School ~ Nicholas Hermesman
Principal Keith Moore said Nicholas has all the intangibles that make him a perfect recipient of student of the month. Nominating teacher Diana Arban said Nicholas is a gifted writer and student but remains humble through all his dealings with others. He mentors Junior IB students and is involved in the drama program. He hopes to attend Columbia University where he plans on majoring in theatre and hopes someday to become a playwright. The greatest lesson he has learned so far is that “failure is merely a way to show you how to improve and a chance to try again until you’ve reached success.” His mother, Rhonda, explained how she should have known he was destined to be on stage when in first grade, he was selected to read the preamble to the Constitution in front of his peers, teachers and adults and did it so well. He plans on giving back to the community by volunteering to the local community theatre program.

Rancho Christian High School ~ Amanda Ketcham
Amanda’s father, Dave Ketcham said Amanda has had a curiosity and determination to not give up since an early age. She has learned the life lesson of enjoying every moment, big or small. Amanda has attended Rancho Christian High School since preschool and loves her school so much. Principal Dan Saatzer said Amanda is the school’s ASB President, is on the school’s volleyball team and is their school’s first student of the month for this school year. Her nominating teacher said Amanda honors God, her parents, her school and community by having a compassionate heart and helping others. Amanda is not sure what college she will attend next fall but believes she will major in business with a minor in graphic design.

Temecula Prepatory School ~ Neville Muringayi
Neville loves helping others and hopes to attend MIT next fall to obtain an engineering degree so he can help provide fresh drinking water for people in other countries, especially the country of Zimbabwe, his birth country. He said “improving yourself first is how you best help others,” and does so by volunteering his time to community events and tutoring elementary students. Nominating teacher Ms. Resh said Neville is a well rounded individual and is a natural leader who will bring “a lot of good to a lot of people.” She said he has integrity, is respectful, scholarly, good-natured and well balanced. Neville’s mother, Gloria Muringayi said when Neville as one year old, someone recognized greatness in him and she is seeing that greatness also.

Temecula Valley High School ~ Savannah McLaughlin
When Savannah was a freshman in high school, her mother passed away from breast cancer and although it has been hard without a mom, has learned to not let the hard times get her down and to push through and preserve because there is always a silver lining. Nominating teacher Dawn Murray-Sibley said Savannah is a true inspiration and is beautiful on both the inside and outside. She said she is a top athlete in basketball, plays lacrosse, is an excellent student and is involved in many clubs, all while helping her dad with her three younger siblings. When asked by Principal Allen Williams why she participates in so many activities, she said “because I really like helping people.” Her dad said she is the greatest daughter ever and is so proud of her. She said she does not yet know where she will attend college but plans to study environmental science. She said even though the years following her mom’s death were hard, she has worked hard to become a successful student and knows her mom would be proud her.