Community Recognizes Outstanding High School Seniors

An all-start water polo player, a future high school counselor where among six high school seniors from Murrieta who were recognized March 15 and given the title of March Students of the Month.

The Murrieta Chamber of Commerce High School Student of the Month Recognition Program selects the students from those nominated by their schools. Students and their families are invited to a breakfast, attended by members of the business community, school district administrators and local and state government officials.

Students share personal stories of their most important life lesson, how they plan to "pay it forward" when they return from college and stories of victory through challenging life circumstances, said Karen Parris, spokeswoman for the Murrieta Valley Unified School District.

They receive numerous gift certificates from community businesses along with certificates of recognition, said Parris, who also handles publicity for the Student of the Month program.

Below, Parris shares a small summary of each of the students' accomplishments, as well as where they are headed:

Murrieta Valley High School Senior Tiffany Jomoc is a high honor student with a 4.1 GPA.  She is a member of the National Honor Society and Californian Scholarship Federation. Tiffany will graduate with 19 college math credits as a result of the Mt. San Jacinto College dual-enrollment courses she has taken while in high school. Tiffany plays in the Crimson Cadets band and she is also a Polynesian dancer. Tiffany is described as an artistic, graceful, warm young woman who has poise, confidence and compassion. Through competitions in Polynesian dance--and her parents experiences--she has learned that there is more out there in the world to discover. Her parents, who are both doctors, are from Vietnam and the Phillipines. Tiffany hopes to honor her parents by being a positive role model. She will attend UC Irvine where she will major in pharmacology. 

Murrieta Valley High School Senior Jantz Johnson is a high honor student who has received an appointment to the Air Force Academy where he plans to study behavioral science and become a psychologist and a pilot. Jantz has been named Southwest Player of the Year in water polo and he has been All CIF and All American. He has already had the opportunity to travel the world playing water polo, but he is described as a humble and modest young man who volunteers at his church and coaches 8- to 10-year-olds. Jantz says his participation in water polo and on the swim team have taught him dedication and commitment. His greatest life lesson has been learning to never give up and he says that applies to life and water polo.  

Tenaja Canyon Academy Senior Matthew Ferrell is a talented, self-taught musician who plays drums, piano and guitar. Matthew is known for being a person of character and integrity. He is also known as a genuinely nice student who always has a kind word for everyone. Matthew has self-determination and he is interested in pursuing video production or criminal justice. Matthew said he is tenacious and he has learned to always give 110 percent. He is currently in a band and he has plans to go to Mt. San Jacinto College. Matthew’s teachers and peers appreciate his sense of humor and his humble spirit.

Calvary Chapel Christian High School Senior Elle James is a quiet leader with a strong character and integrity. She is a member of National Honor Society and the track team and she holds down a job outside of school. Elle plans to attend the University of Redlands where she will major in communicative disorders. Elle also has a servant heart and she is committed to her faith. She is helpful, self-directed, kind, generous and conscientious. Her experiences in dealing with alopecia areata (hair loss that occurs in children and young adults) has taught her to look at people’s hearts instead of their external appearance. It has also taught her to persevere and consequently she developed has a remarkable work ethic.   

Vista Murrieta High School Senior Jason Grace is a quiet, kind leader whose character is demonstrated through his calm and humble demeanor.  Jason lives his life by the golden rule and he strives to do what is right, regardless of whether there is any benefit in it for himself. He plans to continue his education at Cal State Long Beach where he will study medicine and he hopes to serve as a combat corpsman so he can help bring wounded soldiers back home. Jason is involved in working behind the scenes in his school’s drama production and while he has appeared on stage, he is more often found holding the spotlight on others. 

Vista Murrieta High School Senior Heidi Velk is an honor student who is in the top one percent of her class and a member of the National Honor Society. She has made positive contributions to her school through the Renaissance program and Video Production program. Heidi has received a Division 1 athletic scholarship to attend the University of Virginia and play softball. Heidi’s teachers say she is a joy to have in class and she epitomizes the school’s CLASS motto of character, leadership, attitude, scholarship and service.  She has set the bar high for herself but she also displays a selfless commitment to support other students on campus. Heidi plans to go into the education field and she would like to be a high school counselor.