Murrieta's October Students of the Month Named

Seven high school seniors from Murrieta were honored Monday through the Murrieta Chamber of Commerce High School Student of the Month Recognition Program.

Karen Parris, spokesperson for the Murrieta Valley Unified School District and program publicity chair, shares some highlights about each October student of the month:

Murrieta Mesa High School Senior Hannah Stice not only excels in the classroom, she excels in athletics. She is a member of the National Honor Society and California Scholarship Federation, a varsity softball player and a member of the Invisible Children Club. Hannah has applied to Baylor, Pepperdine, University of California, San Diego and Santa Barbara, with plans to major in journalism or child development. Hannah is both kind hearted and competitive and she is a great role model for her peers. At the age of 11, Hannah and her family moved to Fiji to serve as missionaries and it was there that she says she learned "how important it is to invest yourself in the lives of the people around you." Hannah has a strong work ethic and while she is an honor student, she is also a very humble person.

Murrieta Mesa High School Senior Cody Downs plans a double major in biology and chemistry and is applying to Point Loma Nazarene University, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and University of California, Santa Barbara. Cody is highly involved in school as a member of California Scholarship Federation and the Invisible Children Club. He served as President of Make a Wish and is in the Pink Ribbon Club. Cody is also a student leader, serving in the school's United Student Body. Cody plans to become a doctor. After watching his father pass away from colon cancer, Cody said he learned to persevere and never give up. Cody's teachers say he is a "positive and an upbeat role model" and he excels in basketball as well as in the classroom. Cody has a personal sense of civic responsibility and integrity that is an inspiration to teachers and staff on campus.

Murrieta Valley High School Senior Ryan Ouillette is a straight-A student with a 4.5 GPA. By the time he graduates he will have completed eight advanced placement (AP) classes. He is a member of the National Honor Society and has served in Associated Student Body for four years; first as freshman class president and this year as senior class president. He is also a member of the school's varsity soccer team. Ryan spends time tutoring other students and is a friend to many. He said he has learned that leadership is "not about being out in front, it is about enabling other people to lead." Last summer, Ryan spent two weeks in Africa volunteering at an orphanage. After seeing the poverty and needs there, he helped raise money at his school to send to the children in Africa. Ryan's dream is to go to University of Southern California and become a doctor. While Ryan is known for his perfect grades, his teachers say it is his "positive spirit and attitude that set him apart from other students." Ryan is humble, kind and has a made a commitment to make a difference in the world.

Oak Grove Center Senior Edward Robinson is described as a fine young man who is an over-achiever. He has played baseball, basketball and run track and field. Edward wants to attend either Cal Poly San Luis Obispo or Cal State San Marcos, with plans to major in engineering. He has his sights set on a career in architecture. While Edward has overcome some obstacles and challenges, he says he has learned from his mother "not to give up and to continually strive to get better."  While at Oak Grove, Edward has become a leader and a positive role model.

Calvary Murrieta High School Senior Andrew Bigelow is an honor student with a perfect transcript. Andrew is known for his integrity and for being sure of himself and his beliefs. Andrew plans to enter the medical field as a pharmacist. He is president of his school's National Honor Society and is a humble leader on campus. While he is a positive example to other students, he is also a force to be reckoned with on the basketball court. Andrew said a life-changing experience for him was when he traveled to a remote village in Ecuador. That experience helped him realize that "there is a world beyond Murrieta where people are in great need of the basic necessities of life."

Vista Murrieta High School Senior James Jasperson is a visionary who has set goals for himself from the time he entered high school. As a four-year member of Associated Student Body, James has been freshman and sophomore class vice president and is ASB president this year. James has been in cross country and track and on the school's speech and debate team. James was chosen to attend a leadership conference in Sacramento as the school's State representative. While there he learned about politics and getting involved in his community. James plans to attend either Brown University or University of California, Berkeley, with plans to go into politics or business. James was described as being a person with a "huge capacity for friendship because he is genuinely interested in other people and he puts others before himself." James goes the extra mile to encourage his friends; those who know him expect him to do great things in life!

Vista Murrieta High School Senior Emily Reece is one of the top students in her class, achieving a 4.2 GPA. Emily has been in Associated Student Body and soccer for four years; she also ran cross country and track. Emily has impeccable character; she is organized and a hard worker who is focused on her academics. She is president of her school's National Honor Society. Emily is applying to the University of Chicago, University of California, Berkeley, University of Southern California and University of California Los Angeles. Emily has a positive attitude and she is always the first person to step up and volunteer. She says when she looks back over her years in high school, she won't remember "how she did on her tests or what grades she earned." Rather, she will remember the people she has known and her relationships with her friends because "people and relationships are what is most important to her."

The students were presented their awards at a breakfast attended by their families and members of the business community.

To learn more about the Student of the Month Program, contact founder Sally Myers at 951-506-8024.

To sponsor the Student of the Month program, contact program chair Margaret Jones at 951-677-4856.  

"The SOM Program greatly appreciates your support and interest in the lives of our young people," Parris said.

Additional questions can be directed to Karen Parris at 951-696-1600 ext. 1022.