EVERYTHING
FOR YOUR FAMILY
Cover Story
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We have all probably been in attendance at a high school graduation. If not for a child of our own, then perhaps for a niece or nephew or a good friend of the family. A sunny Saturday sitting on folding chairs on the football field or in the stadium or gym grandstands looking out over a gathering of caps and gowns, perhaps thinking, "But they're still just kids. Are they really ready for this next step, this first step truly on their own in the real world?" This is the time of year when Inland Empire Family Magazine chooses select local high school students to be saluted for our annual Shining Students, this being our 5th annual issue. This year, 12 students were chosen from nearly 100 nominations from public and private schools. So, to answer the question from above, about the "real world," Let's take a look around and see if we can find some answers to our questions. Over there is Sonia Brar. She took on the pressure of Honors classes in her freshman year at Riverside Poly High School and never looked back. Nearby is Bing Chen. This young man from San Gorgonio High School in San Bernardino went through the trauma of losing his family's home in last year's wildfires, but nothing could diminish his determination to achieve academic excellence. René Davis of Corona High School has served as her school's representative on a Student Advisory Committee for the Corona City Council. If we shift our gaze a bit, we will see Desiree Fabunan of West Valley High School in Hemet. Her parents have always taught her to appreciate the value of education and that lesson has led her to participate in the Academic Decathlon and Mock Trial. Eugenia Garcia-Zanello of John W. North High School in Riverside is student body president at her school and a National Hispanic Scholar. Cali Johnson of Temescal Canyon High School in Lake Elsinore has been listed on the Superintendent's Honor Roll and recognized by "Who's Who Among American High School Students." Hayley Lieberg of Chaparral High School in Temecula is one of 10 students named an All-County Academic Mentor by the Riverside County Office of Education. Now we find Eugene Ossipov of Chino High School. His talent for design is prompting him to consider a degree in architecture in college. Lorena Pulido of La Sierra High School in Riverside takes an intense pride in her immigrant parents' pursuit of the American Dream. They have been the inspiration behind her academic achievements. We have almost made the full circle and we see Herman Rosiles of San Jacinto High School. He has made a point of taking the most difficult classes available and was selected by the American Legion to attend the 2003 California Boys League Conference in Sacramento. Amy Teachout, from the Vivian Webb School in Claremont, has a charismatic personality that is matched by a boundless sense of intellectual curiosity. Ana Victorino of Ramona High School has served an internship at Riverside's City Hall and is on her way to Stanford University. There can be little doubt that these 12 students have proven themselves ready for whatever the future has to offer. Now we offer a brief introduction of each of these remarkable youngsters - a glimpse of how others see them and how they see themselves. René Davis, 17, of Corona Whether as president of the math club or captain of the varsity basketball team at Corona High School, or in the community at large as a volunteer to help feed the homeless in Corona City Park, René Davis is the type of person who is ready to take on any challenge and lead others to do the same. As for the future, she says, "I plan to study math and science, continue on to graduate school and eventually earn a Ph.D." She finds herself drawn to research being done in the field of neuroscience. "I am interested," she says, "in teaching high school math or becoming a professor at a university where I could do research as well as teach." Ana Victorino, 18, of Riverside Even with a hectic schedule of heavy involvement in school and community activities, Ana has maintained a gpa well over 4.0 at Ramona High School. Little wonder that she has won acceptance to Stanford University. "Everyone here at Ramona High School is extremely proud of Ana," says math teacher Scott Lockman. In addition to her internship at City Hall, Ana has also served the community through volunteer work at the Balcom Rest Home. Ana was involved in the LEAD business program through UCLA, and her efforts as captain of the school's varsity tennis team has earned her the recognition of the Riverside Hall of Fame as an outstanding athlete. Bing Chen, 18, of San Bernardino 4.63 gpa at San Gorgonio High and extracurricular activities that include such items as participation in the Harvard Model Congress and volunteer work at St. Bernardine's Medical Center shows why so many of Bing's teachers are impressed with his self-motivation and his caring nature. Teacher Judith Edwards points to a "dauntless pursuit of excellence" as a cornerstone of Bing's character. "Obviously," she continues, "he understands that extraordinary giftedness carries responsibilities." Teacher Carmen Wisdom adds, "It is not at all surprising that he plans to dedicate his career to the intellectually and emotionally challenging career of medicine." Of himself, Bing says, "I realize now that my determination provides me the strength I need to face challenges with everything I have inside. I work hard in everything I do, not to obtain recognition or to impress others, but simply for myself." Amy Teachout, 18, of Sky Forest er counselor at the Vivian Webb School, Vivian Pradetto, says, "Amy Teachout is the reason teachers love to teach." Her gifts are evident in and out of the classroom. She is outstanding academically, her leadership skills won her the position of ASB president, and the range of her interests include art, music, sports and travel. "There is nothing typical about Amy," says Pradetto, "except that she will typically surprise you with a great story, a hilarious joke or a creative idea that will surely add life and joy to her surroundings." Eugenia Garcia-Zanello, 17, of Riverside orn and raised in Argentina, Eugenia is not only an outstanding student and bright individual, she also is very generous when it comes to giving of herself to the community. She has been a volunteer at the Loma Linda University Hospital and devotes several hours a week to the tutoring program through the California Scholastic Foundation. In the words of North High School Principal Dale Kinnear, "Eugenia Garcia-Zanello is that special kind of individual who has worked diligently to achieve her honors while maintaining the respect of her peers. She is a pleasure to know and a wonderful student." Eugene Ossipov, 17, of Chino Eugene Ossipov recently enjoyed a rare and compelling experience. He was able to present to world-renowned woodworker Sam Maloof, a man he considers an "idol," a walnut chair that he designed and made himself. Eugene's father Nikolai is a well-known woodworker himself, and Eugene said of the opportunity to meet Maloof, "I admire his work. This was an opportunity I couldn't pass up." The chair was presented as a gift from the community at the opening reception for a month-long exhibition of Maloof's work at the Millard Sheets Gallery at Fairplex in Pomona. Lorena Pulido, 17, of Riverside Lorena is very proud of the hard work that has made her parents successful in this country, and that pride has been her motivation at La Sierra High School. She wants to be the first in her family to graduate from a 4-year university. This year, she was named a Riverside County Top Scholar and was named La Sierra's most valuable player for tennis. Her ultimate goal in education is to earn a master's degree in mathematics, to teach, and later become an administrator. "I come from humble beginnings," she says, "where I have learned to appreciate what life gives me." Desiree Fabunan, 17, of Hemet For the past 2 years, Desiree has been involved in 2 leadership activities. The first is working on the Student Council at West Valley High School, and the second is being a commissioner of the advisory council and commission to the Riverside County Board of Supervisors. In the latter capacity, she helped keep supervisors aware of the opinion of local youth in matters that came before the board. Desiree has also contributed to the community by helping to feed the local homeless. "With these various experiences and activities," she says, "I have already set myself on the path that I want to pursue as a heart surgeon." Cali Johnson, 18, of Lake Elsinore Then pressed to consider what was the most important achievement during her time at Temescal Canyon High, Cali Johnson chose her service as Girls State Ambassador during her junior year. She has also served as president of her school's Academic Decathlon team, been an attorney during Mock Trial competitions, and was captain in her senior year of the varsity tennis team. When she looks to what the future may hold, she has said, "The path is less important than the opportunity to touch lives and build relationships with other people." Herman Rosiles, 18, of San Jacinto Herman and his family came to the United States not knowing a word of English. He is one of the first in his family to finish high school and will be the first to go to a 4-year university. In addition to the honors and Advanced Placement classes he has taken at San Jacinto High, he has earned about 40 units of credit at the local community college. Faith plays a large role in Herman's life and he is a youth leader in the youth ministry at his church. "Herman is a humble and caring young man," says his counselor, Christine Hutchins. "He is respected by everyone he meets." Hayley Lieberg, 18, of Temecula Hayley ranked second in her graduating class at Chaparral High School and is on her way to USC. Over the past 2 years she has had a yearning for journalism, serving as a staff reporter and news editor of the campus newspaper. Hayley has done volunteer work at the Beverly Healthcare nursing home and, for 2 years, was part of the junior varsity swim team at Chaparral High. Among her academic awards, she was recognized in February 2004 by "The Country Review" magazine with its "Kids With Class Award." Sonia Brar, 18, of Riverside Some might look on Sonia Brar as the definition of a "Renaissance Woman." Besides her rigorous academic regimen at Riverside Poly, she has also been involved in classical dancing, swimming, and tennis. For the past 3 years, she has helped teach English to indigent immigrants through the Sikh temple. Sonia is interested in medicine, and in July 2003 achieved a remarkable feat for a high school student by presenting an abstract at the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopedic Foundation Conference in San Diego. "Potential in several different areas makes Sonia an interesting young lady," says teacher Barbara Pfeiffer. "She is an asset to herself, to her family, and to Riverside Poly High School." |
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