Students of the Month from High Schools in Corona-Norco Unified Share Stories of Resilience and Commitment
Third and final recognition from the 2025-2026 school year on March 17 was organized by the Riverside County Office of Education in partnership with Corona-Norco Unified School District, and Corona-Norco Council Parent Teacher Association
CORONA – Students who started on-campus blood drives, donated hundreds of volunteer hours, persevered through personal challenges, completed dozens of Advanced Placement courses, and will soon be the first in their families to attend college, were among seniors in the Class of 2026 from all 10 Corona-Norco Unified School District (CNUSD) high schools who were honored at the third Student of the Month event of the 2025-2026 school year on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at 9 a.m. at Corona High School.
Organized by the Riverside County Office of Education (RCOE), in partnership with CNUSD, and the Corona-Norco Council Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Council, the event honored high school seniors from all 10 high schools in the district that serves the cities of Eastvale, Norco, Corona, and Temescal Valley.
“This event is all about student excellence. It's not just about grades or achievements, but character, perseverance, ethics, and that quiet determination that all our students have consistently shown throughout the year and in the past to break through barriers and obstacles to ensure they are successful,” said Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Edwin Gomez, at the event. “Thank you to the parents, the teachers, the administrators, and this community, for believing in our students.”
“As we gather for our final Student of the Month celebration, we are proud to spotlight the remarkable achievements of students across CNUSD,” said Dalia Gadelmawla, Corona-Norco Unified Superintendent. “We are grateful to RCOE for recognizing these outstanding students throughout the year. As we reflect on this exceptional group, we look forward to selecting and celebrating three Students of the Year from this inspiring pool. Eligible students will apply for the scholarship, with final honorees selected from among those applicants, alongside the families and staff who support them.”
“We are grateful for our partnership with RCOE and CNUSD, which allows this opportunity to come together and honor the incredible talents of our students,” said Amber Pelland, President, Corona-Norco Council of PTAs, at the event. “We encourage you to continue to be kind and giving, to share your gifts with others and shine brightly. Never let anything or anyone dim your spark. We can't wait to see the incredible things you accomplish in your future.”
Additional sponsorship support for the Corona-Norco Unified Student of the Month event is provided by Riverside County District 2 Supervisor, Karen Spiegel.
The 2025-2026 Corona-Norco Unified Students of the Month for March are as follows:
- Youana Beshara - Academy of Innovation
- Aleena Abdul Sattar - Centennial High School
- Sarah Farahmand - Corona High School
- Sai Damodara - Eastvale STEM Academy (eSTEM)
- Elinna Qiu Zhuang - Eleanor Roosevelt High School
- Logen Sung - John F. Kennedy Middle College High School
- Brandon Aron Pérez - Lee V. Pollard High School
- Dayani De Paz - Norco High School
- Natalia Camila Cardenas Alcazar - Orange Grove High School
- Ethan Wadman - Santiago High School
Highlights from student speeches included the following:
“Success is often seen only at the moment it is recognized, but what people rarely see are the quiet moments of discipline and determination that happened long before the recognition ever arises. Standing here today reminds me that accomplishments are never the result of one person.” – Youana Beshara, Academy of Innovation
“One of the most important lessons that I've learned throughout high school is that setbacks are not a reason to give up. There have been times when I didn't get into a program that I applied for, received a score on a test that was lower than expected, or felt too unmotivated to get my work done. By continuing to keep my goals set high, I learned to grow from challenges rather than be discouraged by them.” – Aleena Abdul Sattar, Centennial High School
“Thanks to the wonderful programs that are provided to schools, I have been encouraged to strive for academic excellence and to reach my fullest potential. I'm incredibly grateful for the life-changing impact the school has had on me as I step out of this current stage of my life, and into the next chapter of college.” – Sarah Farahmand, Corona High School
“Being a part of this program, as well as the honor of being the president of a club and focusing on disadvantaged communities through service, has taught me that leadership is not just about organizing events or having a title. It's about collaboration, listening to others, and working together to create a positive and safe experience for the entire community. Through this experience, I noticed how powerful I could be when every student comes together to provide a welcoming and supporting place for everyone.” – Sai Damodara, Eastvale STEM Academy (eSTEM)
“When I first moved to the United States, I was learning English. At the beginning, it was difficult to understand what the teacher was saying in class, and sometimes I also felt nervous. But I overcame that by practicing every day, talking to people, and getting more involved in school. In the future, I would like to become an elementary teacher, an ESL teacher, or a special education teacher. I want to help students learn and feel supported—especially students who are challenged with learning English.” – Elinna Qiu Zhuang, Eleanor Roosevelt High School
“When I first started at JFK, I didn't know just how valuable my time there would be. JFK is so much more than just replacing AP courses with college classes. For someone who struggled with the question of what I wanted to do when I grew up, JFK provided me an opportunity to explore and discover what it is that I truly enjoy.” – Logen Sung, John F. Kennedy Middle College High School
“Looking towards the future, I plan to continue my education at Norco College and then transfer to a UC school. I will be working towards becoming a school counselor. I want to support and guide students the same way many have done for me. My experience at Lee V. Pollard has prepared me to pursue that goal.” – Brandon Aron Pérez, Lee V. Pollard High School
“It has been a little difficult for me in the past 12 years that I've been in school, but that has never stopped me from growing and challenging myself in different ways. In fact, that made me want to try harder and be a little better in school,” – Dayani De Paz, Norco High School
“One thing I have learned through my time at the school is that everyone has their own path. Sometimes that path includes mistakes, challenges, or setbacks, but those moments don't define you. They can also be the moments that help you grow the most. Being at this school helps you realize that progress doesn't happen overnight. It comes from showing up every day, putting in effort, and choosing to keep moving forward.” – Natalia Camila Cardenas Alcazar, Orange Grove High School
“I just want to thank the Riverside County Office of Education, the district, and Santiago High School. When I first transferred, it was probably the best decision I've made. I've met a lot of great people, and a lot of great friends.” – Ethan Wadman, Santiago High School
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. For the second consecutive year, educators and staff members at each CNUSD high school identify one outstanding senior as an honoree at each event. Recipients are selected based on how they embody 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.
The honorees from all three of the 2025-2026 CNUSD Student of the Month events are eligible to apply for the CNUSD Student of the Year Award by submitting scholarship applications. Students of the Year will be chosen based on their outstanding academic achievements, active participation in high school life, or their inspiring journey of self-improvement and transformation. The Students of the Year will be honored on May 15, 2026.
Platinum ($7,500 and up), gold ($5,000), silver ($3,000), bronze ($1,500), and table ($500) sponsorship opportunities are available for all events. Please contact Alejandra “Aly” Herrera, Community Engagement and Partnerships Representative, for additional information at aherrera@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.
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 www.cnusd.k12.ca.us.
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 www.coronanorcocouncilpta.com.