Riverside County Office of Education and Riverside Unified School District Partner on New Student of the Semester Program

RIVERSIDE – Ten high school seniors whose resilience, commitment to academic success, investment in their community, and gratitude for their education were honored as the first Students of the Semester from the Riverside Unified School District (RUSD) by the Riverside County Office of Education (RCOE) at a breakfast event on Monday, September 21, 2026, at the RCOE Conference Center.

Organized in partnership with RUSD, the event featured inspiring speeches by students following an introduction from their school principal and a welcome from Riverside County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Edwin Gomez and RUSD District Superintendent Dr. Sonia Llamas. 

Selections for the first RUSD Student of the Semester began with educators and staff members from Riverside USD who identified one outstanding senior at each high school who embodies character, integrity, a passion for learning, active involvement in school life, sports, and community service, or has displayed remarkable resilience in the face of life’s challenges while maintaining a commitment to education.

“We are excited to launch this new student recognition program with our partners in Riverside USD,” said Riverside County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Edwin Gomez. “The new Student of the Semester event is an inspirational reminder of the life-changing impact that education has on our students—many of whom have been part of our public schools since they were in Kindergarten and are now only months away from graduating and pursuing their post-secondary dreams.”

“We are grateful to partner with RCOE to celebrate these extraordinary scholars in Riverside Unified, who have demonstrated character, resilience, leadership, and a commitment to making a difference in their schools and communities. It was inspiring to recognize our scholars and hear directly from them about the people who have shaped their journeys,” said Riverside USD Superintendent Dr. Sonia Llamas. “Their stories are a powerful reminder of what students can accomplish when they are surrounded by people who believe in them, see their strengths, and provide the support they need to thrive.”

In multiple regions around Riverside County, a variety of community partners, including chambers of commerce and community groups, regularly highlight students of the month at individual districts. RCOE partners with Corona-Norco USD and three desert-area districts to host student of the month events throughout the school year, along with a student of the year event with college scholarships.

Meet the first 10 Riverside USD Students of the Semester:

•    Abby Hernandez – Arlington High School
•    Marinna Sanchez – Abraham Lincoln High School
•    Allisson Godinez – John W. North High School
•    Lekha Aji – Martin Luther King High School
•    Amareli Campos – Raincross High School
•    Zabdiel Bustos – Ramona High School
•    Chauncey Clark – Riverside Polytechnic High School
•    James Havercroft – Riverside STEM Academy
•    Laeyllonie Pineda – Riverside Virtual School
•    Daniel Davalos – Summit View High School

(See photos and event highlights)

The next Riverside USD Student of the Semester recognition is set for Friday, March 26, 2027. Honorees from both events will be eligible to apply for the Riverside USD Student of the Year scholarship awards event set for Tuesday, May 18, 2027. All events will be held at the RCOE Conference Center.

Table sponsors for the RUSD Student of the Semester include Riverside County First District Supervisor, Jose Medina, and LULAC.

Platinum ($5,000+), gold ($3,000), bronze ($1,500), and table ($500) sponsorship opportunities are available for all events. Please contact Neftali Galarza for additional information at ngalarza@rcoe.us.

Highlights from student speeches at the event included the following:

“I’m proud to say that the hardships I have overcome have helped shape me into the woman I am today. I've learned that even when so much is going on, people will still rally right behind you, whether it's staff, teammates, or even strangers. I’m beyond blessed to receive this honor of being named Student of the Semester.” (Abby Hernandez, Arlington High School)

“Being in a continuation school could have made me feel like I had fallen too far behind, but, instead, it gave me another opportunity to change my path. The staff, teachers, and supervisors have given me support, confidence, and positive energy that make me want to keep going. Having people believe in you can always make a huge difference.” (Marinna Sanchez, Abraham Lincoln High School)

“My experiences over the last four years, both inside and outside of high school, have taught me so much about who I am and who I want to be in the future. I learned that I am a person who can struggle through challenges and succeed. I'm so grateful for every opportunity, every person who has believed in me, and every moment where I was pushed out of my comfort zone into something spectacular. I will always strive to leave a positive impact on our world.” (Lekha Aji, Martin Luther King High School)

“Being recognized as a Student of the Semester isn't just a reflection of me as an individual. To me, it's a reflection of our entire school and community. It's a privilege that reminds me that I am part of something much larger than myself, and it drives me to represent my family, my peers, and Ramona to the absolute best of my ability.” (Zabdiel Bustos, Ramona High School)

“I never thought I would ever get an award like this in my life. In elementary school, I struggled to get good grades, and learning was not enjoyable. I didn't know how to read, so it was really hard. But once I joined Riverside Virtual School, everything changed for me. I gained the confidence to reach my goals, and my grades completely changed. Right after graduation, my plan is to jump straight into work, save up money, and gain real-world experience. I'm keeping my options open for colleges, but I know I want to stay within our community.” (Laeyllonie Pineda, Riverside Virtual School)

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. 

About Riverside Unified School District (RUSD)

Established in the 1870s, the award-winning Riverside Unified School District (RUSD) is the 16th largest in California. With more than 5,000 employees, RUSD educates more than 36,000 students across 51 schools in Riverside. Led by Superintendent Dr. Sonia Llamas, RUSD is governed by a Board of Education with elected officials from five trustee areas. Learn more at www.riversideunified.org.