INDIO – From taking college-level courses and cheering on others in pep band, to holding officer positions in various clubs and mentoring younger peers, 21 seniors in Coachella Valley-area high schools will be recognized for their ambition, resilience, and hard work, at the Greater Coachella Valley Student of the Month event on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, at 9 a.m. at the Fantasy Springs Special Events Center (84-245 Indio Springs Parkway, Indio, CA 92203).
First organized by the Riverside County Office of Education during the 2023-2024 school year, the second year of recognition got underway with events in October and December by highlighting students from Coachella Valley Unified School District, Desert Sands Unified School District, Palm Springs Unified School District, and the Riverside County Office of Education.
“Every month we are inspired by the stories our students share with us," Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Edwin Gomez. "It is important that we recognize the greatness within our schools, as these students will continue to do amazing things as they pursue their dreams and shape the future of our county and world."
The final Greater Coachella Valley Student of the Month event is scheduled for April 1, 2025. Honorees from all three 2024-2025 events will compete for the Greater Coachella Valley Student of the Year scholarships that will be awarded on May 20, 2025.
Each district selects its Students of the Month based on how they embody character, integrity, a passion for learning, active involvement in school life, sports, and community service, or have displayed remarkable resilience in the face of life’s challenges while maintaining a commitment to education.
Community partners who are sponsoring this year’s Student of the Month include:
- Sun Community Federal Credit Union
- One Coachella Valley
- Walter Clark Legal Group
- Office of Supervisor V. Manuel Pérez
- Burrtec Waste
- Altura Credit Union
The honorees at the February 4 event include:
Coachella Valley Unified School District (CVUSD)
- Ruben Cazares-Ayon – Coachella Valley High School
- Mya Mayoral – Coachella Valley Independent Study
- Irma Rodriguez – Desert Mirage High School
- Russell Silva – La Familia High School
- Alondra Lorigo-Avila – Nova Academy Early College High School
- Yumalay Ferro – West Shores High School
Desert Sands Unified School District (DSUSD)
- Adrian Mendez – Amistad High School
- Arnulfo Martinez Jr. – Horizon High School
- Edgar Magaña-Garcia – Indio High School
- Audrey IsBell – La Quinta High School
- Jaden Richardson – Palm Desert High School
- Anastasia Linkogel – Shadow Hills High School
- Samara Serafini – Summit High School
Palm Springs Unified School District (PSUSD)
- Alejandra Ayala – Cathedral City High School
- Ariana Fuentes – Desert Hot Springs High School
- Amia Jolie Mars – Desert Learning Academy
- William Rucker – Mt. San Jacinto High School
- Bijan Nasr – Palm Springs High School
- Jesus Madrid Rojas – Rancho Mirage High School
Riverside County Office of Education (RCOE)
- Luis Macias-Rodriguez – Palm Springs Community School
- Raul Garcia Robles – Don F. Kenny Regional Learning Center
Platinum ($7,500), gold ($5,000), silver ($3,000), bronze ($1,500), and table ($500) sponsorship opportunities are available for all events. Please contact Natalia T. Gonzalez for additional information at ntgonzalez@rcoe.us.
About the Riverside County Office of Education (RCOE)
RCOE is a service agency supporting the county’s 23 school districts and 500+ schools that serve nearly 430,000 students—more than the student population of 17 states. RCOE services include administrative support to districts and charter schools, programs for preschool, special education, pregnant minor, correctional, migrant, and vocational students. In addition, the organization provides professional training, support, and resources for more than 18,000 teachers, administrators, and staff, throughout the 7,000 square miles of Riverside County. Learn more at www.rcoe.us.
