Loera, Boren, Hansen and Woods honored

Melinda Loera of Ivy High School and Amy Boren, Amy Hansen and Lauren Woods of Fallbrook Union High School were honored as the first Students of the Month this school year. The four recipients will see their names in lights on the FUHS marquee and were each granted a special parking space for a month, in addition to other gifts.

The students received recognition on Thursday, October 5, at a buffet breakfast served by Hukilau at the Fallbrook Golf Club. The Student of the Month program is now beginning its twelfth year and has honored 316 outstanding high school students.

Pastor Phil Tukua of Christ The King Lutheran Church gave the invocation, saying, “…these students are the light of the campus… I ask a special blessing on the students and teachers.”

Each honored student received a “lamp of knowledge” medal, which was presented by Frank Larkin of the Fallbrook American Legion Post 776, who has taken over the task since the passing of K.D. Van Antwerp. Van Antwerp was a major supporter of the Student of the Month program and always made positive comments regarding the students.

Melinda Loera, a senior at Ivy High School, was nominated by teacher Ms. Sheri Ryan. Ms. Ryan commented, “She is one of the most outstanding students and the credit for success belongs to Melinda — she gets it done!” Melinda is a “positive role model” and “the one who made all the students work hard,” Ms. Ryan noted. In addition to being an excellent student, Melinda has a gift for gardening as well as leadership among her peers.

Melinda has set her goals toward cosmetology school after graduation. “Whatever she decides to do, she will be really great at it,” Ms. Ryan commented. Melinda is described as “self-motivated” by her father, who said he was “very proud” of her. Her sister told the audience that Melinda is a great role model.

Melinda thanked her parents and family for “always being there.” She also thanked Fallbrook District for initiating Ivy High School. When asked what she likes to do in her spare time, Melinda commented that she enjoys camping with her family, but she mostly enjoys her schoolwork!

Senior Amy Boren was on the FUHS varsity golf team for three years, played basketball, was a teacher’s assistant in English and has worked at Fallbrook Street School’s 21st Century program. She is an active member and student intern at Fallbrook Presbyterian Church’s youth group and has traveled to Mexico with the church ministry team. Amy was nominated by her English teacher, Mrs. Kathy Beal.

Ms. Beal commented, “Amy exemplifies a scholar athlete… she’s been a wonderful help to me and could teach the class.” Ms. Beal also spoke of Amy’s excellent organizational skills and said that “she is like a second daughter to me.”

A friend of Amy’s commented how she was injured in a car accident and was unable to play golf this year but was strong and didn’t complain. Amy’s mother mentioned that her daughter is a “people person.”

Amy is looking toward the hospitality industry as a career but also wants to become a basketball referee and spend some time in Africa as a missionary. “God will show me the path,” she said.

Lauren Woods is a senior at Fallbrook Union High School and has played on the FUHS field hockey, soccer and lacrosse teams. She attends Zion Lutheran Church. Ms. Kathy Waite, who nominated Lauren, mentioned that Lauren was one of the leading goalkeepers in the county and thanked her for her dedication.

Lauren’s father, who is in the military and has spent much time in Iraq, mentioned that his daughter has “always exhibited a degree of maturity, independence, intensity and fearlessness.” Lauren’s mother commented that Lauren has a recognizable “love for the Lord.”

Lauren thanked her family for their support: “My parents have always been there for me — always cheering for me.”

“I hope to be a coach or athletic trainer. I hope to be a coach like Kathy Waite,” said Lauren, who plans to attend the University of the Pacific. One question that Lauren asks herself at the end of a game is “When you put your equipment in the shed, have you done your best?”

Amy Hansen, a senior at Fallbrook Union High School, was nominated by teacher Gary Stepan. Amy is on the FUHS cross country and track teams. She is also active in the Interact Club and serves as a newscaster at FUHS. In addition to her school activities she volunteers at REINS and is a member of the Girl Scouts and the Fallbrook LDS Church. Amy has also been recognized as a Charger Champion and will receive a $7,000 scholarship.

Mr. Stepan said of Amy, “She is like the ‘Energizer Bunny,’ only with poise and grace.” He also commented, “She is a wonderful student. If I had a roomful of students like Amy I’d be a teacher until I’m 105!”

Amy’s mother mentioned “she has sweated and studied hard. She is an inspiration to me and inspires others to be better.”

She plans to study biomedical engineering and is looking at several colleges, including Brigham Young University. “You have to make the decision to go out and make your own life,” said Amy.