2nd Annual Riverside County Exceptional Scholar Awards Honor 25 Outstanding Seniors from 15 Charter Schools
RIVERSIDE – An emerging leader who overcame self-doubt to become an Associated Student Body President, a young aviator who is about to land a pilot’s license, and a 21-year old former foster youth who returned to earn a diploma, were among the charter school graduates from the class of 2026 honored at the 2nd Annual Riverside County Exceptional Scholar Awards hosted by the Riverside County Office of Education on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
“Supporting all students is a critical part of our mission at the Riverside County Office of Education, and we are proud to recognize the top students from Riverside County’s charter schools as they pursue their dreams beyond high school,” said Riverside County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Edwin Gomez. “The 2026 Exceptional Scholars are outstanding examples of resilience, character, and the limitless potential of education to change the world.”
First launched in 2025, the Exceptional Scholar Awards program celebrates Riverside County charter students’ dedication and perseverance in achieving academic success. Each charter school selected one to three 12th-grade students as honorees (based on school enrollment). Students were joined at the celebratory dinner event by more than 120 family members, educators, charter school leaders, and board members.
New for 2026 was a $1,000 scholarship for each Barbara Hale Exceptional Scholar Award recipient. This award recognizes one graduating senior from each participating charter school who has demonstrated exceptional academic achievement under extraordinary circumstances.
2026 Riverside County Exceptional Scholar Recipients
(* denotes 2026 Barbara Hale Exceptional Scholar Award honoree)
- Altus Schools Coachella Valley – Elman Giron Castillo*
- Audeo Valley Charter School – Delilah Robles*
- CBK Charter School – Reanna Ward*
- Excelsior Charter School – Jonathan Godinez, Jubilee Perez*
- Gateway College and Career Academy – Aaliyah Ayala-Moreno, Jazmin Ceja*
- JCS - Pine Hills – Roman Mancini*
- Leadership Military Academy – Craig Briscoe*
- Mission Vista Academy – Talah Shakhshir, Cheryl Tsz Sau Cheng
- NOVA Academy Early College High School – Julian Aguirre, Ayleen Angulo-Oceguera, Elijah Cruz
- Nuview Bridge Early College High School – Katelyn Graham*, Emma Kitayama
- Pivot Charter School – Malak Amer*
- River Springs Charter School – Leilani Launiu, Jesus Trejo*, Ilyannie Valmes Pérez
- San Jacinto Valley Academy – Diana Aguilar*, Hailee Tennant
- Santa Rosa Academy – Kayla Copeland*, Magdalena Lall
- SCALE Leadership Academy - East – Alanze Salman*
For additional information, contact Yadira Chavelas at ychavelas@rcoe.us or (951) 826-6570.
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.