TVUSD Honors February Students of the Month

PHOTO: (seated left to right): Amanda Dienhart (Chaparral High School), Jackie Crowther (Linfield Christian High School), Hunter Rauch (Rancho Christian High School), Tara Woodruff (Temecula Preparatory School), Nathan Stutzman (Great Oak High School) and Johnathan Dewing (Temecula Valley High School) Standing in the back row (from left to right): Sally Myers, founder/advisor of the Student of the Month Program and Council Member Maryann Edwards. COURTESY: Temecula Valley Unified School District.

The following was submitted for publication by the Temecula Valley Unified School District:

Six Temecula high school seniors were honored as Students of the Month on Feb. 19 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 24 th year the TVCC Student of the Month Program has honored students in the Temecula Valley.

Here’s a list of this month’s recipients:

Chaparral High School ~ Amanda Dienhart

One of Amanda’s earliest memories is singing with her family at church. She also remembers singing at her Grandpa’s senior’s apartment complex and watching the residents’ faces light up. She understood at that time the power of music and the effect it has on people. Her biggest challenge has been learning how to balance school, church and performing. She said procrastination seems like a good idea at first but isn’t in the end. Her nominating teacher, Mr. Hodo, taught Amanda since middle school and said she is a great student leader who helps others do their best and always strives for excellence. Amanda’s mom said Amanda has always been responsible and a moral thinker. She told Amanda to remember to always enjoy the moment. Amanda plans on attending a private university in Southern California to pursue a bachelor’s degree in music education.

Linfield Christian High School ~ Jackie Crowther

During Jackie’s junior year of high school, she had an amazing opportunity to play for the Mexican Nation Team in the U-17 World Cup Soccer tournament. This required she not attend school for two months as she trained and played with the team. With the support of her family, teachers and school, she was able to successfully complete her junior year and play in the tournament. Jackie’s fellow students enjoyed cheering her on from afar by watching her games around computers or on their phones. Jackie has learned the power of communication and if you have a plan, you can accomplish anything. Jackie’s nominating teacher, Amber Young, said Jackie is humble, determined, fun and caring and is committed to excellence in everything she does. Jackie plans to attend Baylor University in Waco, Texas where she will play soccer and study neuroscience. She hopes to pursue her soccer career past college and play again with the Mexican Nation Team.

Rancho Christian High School ~ Hunter Rauch

Hunter said he was born into a culture of service and hard work and has learned everything works out in the end. He is the captain of the cross country team and said he spends a lot of time at school because it is both his school and church. His greatest contribution has been volunteering at week long summer and winter camps in Idyllwild where he is a camp counselor working with 9-18 year old foster children. Nominating teacher Michael Rea said he has taught over 1000 kids in his career and sometimes a student stands out as a light and a beacon. He said one of those students is Hunter. Mr. Rea said Hunter is a young man of character and has a servant’s heart. He once gave Hunter the job of disposing dissected cats and said Hunter did so without hesitation. Hunter’s mother said Hunter is one of seven children in the family and is accustomed to cleaning and disposing of things. She said Hunter is a mentor to his siblings and it has been great raising him. Hunter plans on attending the University of San Diego in the fall and hopes to someday work at the United Nations.

Temecula Preparatory School ~ Tara Woodruff

Tara has learned that we are all placed on this planet to make a difference and it is our choice if we have a fortunate or unfortunate life. She said her senior year at Temecula Preparatory School has been bittersweet. She has been a member of the school’s Academic Decathlon all four years of high school and through this experience, she now knows that when you want to accomplish something, you need to push through the obstacles and maintain a positive attitude. Nominating teacher Shoh Ueno said Tara is “mature, diligent and sets an outstanding example of virtue among her peers.” He said Tara gets immense pleasure in doing what is right and has a great sense of justice. Tara’s dad thanks her for being a beautiful daughter who has always made the right choices and she has made him so proud. Tara would love to attend Columbia University in the fall and plans to major in English. She hopes to work for a book publisher after college.

Great Oak High School ~ Nathan Stutzman

When Nathan was five years old, his house in Fallbrook burned down and his family lost everything and had no money and no place to live. He said with the generosity of a community and many unnamed heroes, his family was able to get back on their feet. This event in his life has taught him to be optimistic and caring and he wants to work hard at becoming successful so he can help others, just as so many helped his family. Nominating teacher Steve Maxey said Nathan is well respected by both his peers and teachers and embodies everything that a Great Oak student should be. He said Nathan’s fellow students said Nate is what an exemplary International Baccalaureate student should look like. Nathan’s mom said he has made her job as a parent effortless and couldn’t have imagined raising a better child. Nathan hopes to attend Yale or UC Berkeley in the fall and receive an undergraduate degree in molecular or genetic biology. He plans to work towards a PhD in biology and hopes to become a research scientist.

Temecula Valley High School ~ Johnathan Dewing

Johnathan said his biggest obstacle was when his parents split up when he was 13 years old. At 16 years old, he got a job to help his mom support the family. He said balancing school and work has been hard but learned to persevere and when you have a free day, enjoy it. Nominating teacher Anthony Mendez said Johnathan is honest, well-spoken and positive. He said it is so nice to see Johnathan and his friends have real conversations and discuss issues that are real and relevant. Johnathan’s mom said he set the bar high at 18 months old when he was able to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. She said she is so proud of him and the choices he has made. Principal Allen Williams said he sat Johnathan down and asked him what he wants to do as far as a career and Johnathan answered to become and engineer. Mr. Williams asked Johnathan what inspired him to want to become an engineer and Johnathan responded “The Big Bang Theory” televisions show. Johnathan will attend college and then graduate school and hopes to become a biomedical engineer with an emphasis on prosthetics and biotechnology.