INDIO – Prior to graduating and pursuing their college and career dreams, twenty-one seniors in the Class of 2026 from desert-area high schools will be recognized at the first of multiple Greater Coachella Valley Student of the Month events on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at 9 a.m. at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino – 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 third year of recognition will begin by honoring one high school senior from each of the 19 different high schools in three local school districts: Coachella Valley Unified School District, Desert Sands Unified School District, and Palm Springs Unified School District, along with two students enrolled in Riverside County Office of Education alternative education programs.
“Every year, the inspiring stories from the Greater Coachella Valley Student of the Month events serve as a reminder of the power of education to transform the trajectory of students and families,” said Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Edwin Gomez. “The future of the Coachella Valley, our county, and our state will be brighter as a result of these shining stars.”
Additional Greater Coachella Valley Student of the Month events are scheduled for December 2, 2025, February 3, 2026, and April 14, 2026. Honorees from each of these events will compete for the Greater Coachella Valley Student of the Year scholarships that will be awarded on May 21, 2026.
Each district selects its Students of the Month based on their embodiment of 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 support has been critical to the success of the program, with this year’s Greater Coachella Valley Student of the Month partners including each desert-area school district, along with Sun Community Federal Credit Union, Altura Credit Union, Sam’s Club, Walter Clark Legal Group, OneFuture Coachella Valley, and Fantasy Springs Resort and Casino.
The honorees at the October 7 event include:
Coachella Valley Unified School District (CVUSD)
- Jovanny Lopez – Coachella Valley High School
- Ashley Saucedo – Coachella Valley Independent Study
- Alan Flores – Desert Mirage High School
- Karen Ruiz-Mendez – La Familia High School
- Kayla Sanchez – Nova Academy Early College High School
- Nayeli Quino-Lucero – West Shores High School
Desert Sands Unified School District (DSUSD)
- Elvia Cuevas – Amistad High School
- Noelia Villeda – Horizon High School
- Alexander Diaz – Indio High School
- Gennesis Flores – La Quinta High School
- Nicholas Feinstein – Palm Desert High School
- Joaquin Ruiz – Shadow Hills High School
- Bobbie Salazar – Summit High School
Palm Springs Unified School District (PSUSD)
- David Delgado-Naranjo – Cathedral City High School
- Jose Ramon Lopez – Desert Hot Springs High School
- Alissa Steinberg – Desert Learning Academy
- Alejandro Jimenez – Mt. San Jacinto High School
- Joseph Manjarrez – Palm Springs High School
- Jaden Labit – Rancho Mirage High School
Riverside County Office of Education (RCOE)
- Anthony Martinez – Palm Springs Community School
- Sebastian Mendoza – Don F. Kenny Regional Learning Center
Sponsorship opportunities are available for all events, including platinum ($7,500), gold ($5,000), silver ($3,000), bronze ($1,500), and table ($500) levels. 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.
