Riverside County Office of Education Celebrates Four Corona-Norco Unified School District Students of the Year With College Scholarships

CORONA – Four high school seniors with a shared desire to use their education to give back to their communities were honored as Students of the Year from the Corona-Norco Unified School District (CNUSD) by the Riverside County Office of Education (RCOE) at a breakfast event on Friday, May 15, 2026, at Eagle Glen Golf Club in Corona.

Organized by RCOE, in partnership with CNUSD, and the Corona-Norco Council Parent Teacher Association, the Student of the Year awardees each received $2,000 in scholarship funds to pursue their post-secondary goals.

The four graduating seniors were selected from the dozens of outstanding scholars at 10 CNUSD high schools who were recognized throughout the school year at Student of the Month events in November, January, and March. Gold-level sponsorship was provided by Riverside County Second District Supervisor, Karen Spiegel.

“When we honor our Students of the Year, we're not just honoring them for their grades, but we're celebrating their resilience. We're celebrating their tenacity, their community service, their kindness, and their contributions to our community,” said Riverside County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Edwin Gomez. “We look forward to the amazing accomplishments that you will continue to make in your lives.”

“Today, we proudly celebrate four extraordinary students whose leadership, perseverance, and compassion represent the very best of CNUSD,” said CNUSD Superintendent Dalia Gadelmawla. “Their achievements reflect not only academic excellence, but also a deep commitment to serving others and creating positive change in their communities. We are incredibly proud of their accomplishments and excited to see the impact they will make in the future.”

“Our PTA is honored to celebrate these remarkable students and the dedication, resilience, and character they have shown throughout their educational journey,” said Corona-Norco Council PTA President Amber Pelland. “Their success is a reflection of the strong partnership between families, educators, and the community, and we are proud to support and encourage students who are already making such a positive difference in the world.”

Meet the four CNUSD Students of the Year:

Sai Harshita Damodara (eSTEM Academy)

• Application Highlights: ASB, eSTEM Ambassador, founded Hands of Hope service club, health care volunteer, helped organize medical camp in rural village in India
• College: University of California, San Diego
• Career Goal: Career in medicine and public health focused on increasing healthcare access for underserved communities
• Quote: “I believe healthcare should be a source of dignity, not privilege. I want to be part of a future where patients are not left without answers simply because of where they live or what resources they have.”

Nimmer Kaur (Centennial High School)

• Application Highlights: International Baccalaureate (IB), 200+ volunteer service hours, Mayor’s Youth Council, intern with City of Corona, moved to the United States from India as a young child
• College: University of California, Berkeley
• Career Goal: Through studying electrical engineering and computer science, build intelligent systems that are not only intelligent, but humane, transparent in their design, accessible in their use, and intentional in the people they serve
• Quote: “Receiving this scholarship will make a real difference. It will allow me to stay focused on the education I have worked so hard for and continue building toward my future.”

Lara Randhawa (Corona High School)

• Application Highlights: Dual language immersion, two-time participant in Scripps National Spelling Bee, Academic Decathlon, biomedical sciences pathway, golf team, Kaiser Permanente Summer Teen Program, Parent-Teacher Student Association, bakes birthday cakes for foster youth with nonprofit For-Goodness Cakes
• College: Yale University
• Career Goal: Become a physician who bridges clinical care with public health
• Quote: “The challenges I have faced have shaped not only my resilience, but also my purpose. They have taught me to lead with integrity, act with empathy, and remain grounded in service to others.”

Elinna Qiu Zhuang (Eleanor Roosevelt High School)

• Application Highlights: Color Guard, Marching Band, volunteers with CAVA and Kiwanis, supports English learner students, moved between China, Brazil, and the United States as a young child, works as a server at two local restaurants
• College: University of California, Irvine
• Career Goal: Pursue a role as a teacher serving students in special education, English learners, or in an elementary setting
• Quote: “Since I have encountered other cultures and challenged myself, I desire to help students who might feel lost or insecure, as I used to be. I aim to be a teacher who is understanding, supportive, and inspires students to believe in themselves.”

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.

About Corona-Norco Unified School District (CNUSD)

CNUSD consists of thirty-one elementary schools, eight intermediate/middle schools, five comprehensive high schools, a middle college high school, and three alternative schools. The district serves over 53,000 students in the diverse communities of Corona, Norco, Eastvale, and Temescal Valley. CNUSD is the largest school district in Riverside County and the seventh-largest district in California. The district’s vision is that every student has the knowledge, skills, motivation, and resilience to thrive in a diverse global community. Learn more at Corona-Norco Unified School District.

About Corona-Norco Council Parent Teacher Association

Originally chartered in 1929, the Corona-Norco Council Parent PTA is celebrating 95 years of making magic for students, schools, and the communities served by CNUSD. The all-volunteer organization is a resource and source of encouragement to PTA leaders who serve the 53,000 students in 48 schools in CNUSD while celebrating scholars, supporting school and district events, and advocating for students and families. Learn more at Corona-Norco Council PTA.