Final Greater Coachella Valley Student of the Month Event to Honor Desert-Area Seniors from Class of 2026
INDIO – With only weeks remaining before they walk across the graduation stage, outstanding students from the class of 2026 will step up to the podium to share their inspiring stories of relentless drive, extra-curricular leadership, academic distinction, and community service, at the final Greater Coachella Valley Student of the Month event of the year hosted by the Riverside County Office of Education (RCOE) at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino – Special Events Center (84-245 Indio Springs Parkway, Indio, CA 92203).
First organized by RCOE during the 2023-2024 school year, this event represents the fourth and final recognition of the 2025-2026 academic year. The morning consists of 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, including two students enrolled in Riverside County Office of Education alternative education programs.
“The bright future of the Coachella Valley is on display each time these extraordinary scholars share their stories of resilience and commitment to academic growth,” said Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Edwin Gomez. “As these students approach the end of their senior year and their time in our classrooms, it is truly an honor to encourage them to pursue their dreams through education.”
Each district selects its Students of the Month based on their embodiment of character, integrity, 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.
Honorees from all four events held throughout the year will compete for the Greater Coachella Valley Student of the Year scholarships that will be awarded on May 21, 2026, at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino – Special Events Center.
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, The Madison Club, and Fantasy Springs Resort and Casino.
The honorees at the April 14 event include:
Coachella Valley Unified School District (CVUSD)
- Matthew Sanchez – Coachella Valley High School
- Erik Huerta – Desert Mirage High School
- Juan Carlos Ramirez – La Familia High School
- Leonard Alfaro-Astudillo – Nova Academy Early College High School
- Julia Villalpando – West Shores High School
Desert Sands Unified School District (DSUSD)
- Julio Pachuca-Muniz – Amistad High School
- Aiden Smith – Horizon High School
- Alyssa Guenther – Indio High School
- Nadia Dean – La Quinta High School
- Juliann Brinson – Palm Desert High School
- Oscar Urias – Shadow Hills High School
- Aiden Jauregui – Summit High School
Palm Springs Unified School District (PSUSD)
- Armando Rivera – Cathedral City High School
- Alonso Castaneda – Desert Hot Springs High School
- Lily Pichardo – Desert Learning Academy
- Nathaniel Villeda – Mt. San Jacinto High School
- Kayla Bautista – Palm Springs High School
- Anahi Barrera Flores – Rancho Mirage High School
Riverside County Office of Education (RCOE)
- Devin Ortega – Palm Springs Community School
- Fabian Reyes Perez – 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.