Inspiring Stories of Resilience and Inspiration to Highlight First 2026-2027 Greater Coachella Valley Student of the Month Event

INDIO – After honoring more than 250 students and awarding $95,000 in scholarships since 2023, the Riverside County Office of Education’s Greater Coachella Valley Student of the Month program will begin its fourth year by celebrating 20 top seniors from desert-area high schools at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at the new Riverside County Office of Education Conference Center in Indio (83625 Dr. Carreon Blvd.). 

The morning of recognition will honor one high school senior from 18 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.

“It is incredibly meaningful to partner with our local school districts to celebrate the best and brightest examples of academic excellence, resilience, and community service among the 60,000 students in the desert area,” said Riverside County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Edwin Gomez. “We are excited to see this program continue to grow and now have the opportunity to recognize outstanding seniors for the first time at the new Riverside County Office of Education Conference Center in Indio.”

Additional Greater Coachella Valley Student of the Month events are scheduled for December 1, 2026, February 2, 2027, and April 14, 2027. Honorees from each of these events will compete for Greater Coachella Valley Student of the Year scholarships that will be awarded on May 20, 2027.

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 platinum sponsors The Madison Club and College of the Desert, gold sponsor Sun Community Federal Credit Union, and Riverside County Supervisor V. Manuel Perez. 

The honorees at the October 6 event include:

Coachella Valley Unified School District (CVUSD)

• Aiden Tinajero – Coachella Valley High School
• Mariana Castellanos – Coachella Valley Independent Study
• Joseline Avila Sanchez– Desert Mirage High School
• Vanessa Zamora Diego – La Familia High School
• Jacqueline Curiel Alvarado – Nova Academy Early College High School
• Mario Gonzalez – West Shores High School

Desert Sands Unified School District (DSUSD)

• Adamelis Chavez Hincapie – Amistad High School
• Nicolas Zanesco – Horizon High School
• Anthony Martinez – Indio High School
• Cadence Rios – La Quinta High School
• Nicholas Uribe – Palm Desert High School
• Quinn Greely – Shadow Hills High School
• Mia D'Angelo – Summit High School

Palm Springs Unified School District (PSUSD)

• Mariana Macias-Gonzalez – Cathedral City High School
• Alexis Andrade – Desert Hot Springs High School
• Carlos O. Duarte Rendon – Mt. San Jacinto High School
• Aakiylah Cowsert – Palm Springs High School
• Anahi Ramirez Gomez – Rancho Mirage High School

Riverside County Office of Education (RCOE)

• Charlie Villegas – Palm Springs Community School
• John Peralez – 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.