Also serving the communities of De Luz, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, Pala and Pauma

Goshen, Jones, Kopitzke, Maiava honored

Four students, Zack Goshen, Jacob Jones, Kathleen Kopitzke and Ben Maiava will have their names “up in lights” on the Fallbrook High School marquee this month in honor of their Student of the Month status. The students were awarded “Lamp of Knowledge” medals from the American Legion as well as a parcel of certificates from local businesses and organizations.

“You are a big deal,” said emcee Sue Johnson to the students.

Certificates from Senator Dennis Hollingsworth, Assemblyman Kevin Jeffries, Supervisor Bill Horn, Congressman Darrel Issa, and US Senator Barbara Boxer were also presented.

“Everyone in the community is proud of you because you represent the community so well,” said a representative for Senator Dennis Hollingsworth.

Jacob Jones is a senior at Fallbrook High School. He is an honor student, ASB Vice President, an assistant on the Academic Team and the organizer of a fundraising dance for fire victims.

Betz Critchley, a teacher at FHS, gave a testimonial. “He is an excellent role model in the classroom, which is a classroom of the best and brightest,” she said. He has a 4.4 GPA and is planning to go to Long Beach State. He is warm, friendly and charming, she continued. “After the fire he wanted to help and organized a dance which raised a thousand dollars for the fire victims. The dance will now become an annual event.”

“Jacob is the kind that says, ‘That job needs doing, I’d better get started,’” Critchely noted.

Jones’ father said that he is the oldest child of four and he has always been responsible and self-motivated.

A friend commented, “He can turn your day around.”

Kathleen (Katie) Kopitzke, a senior at Fallbrook High School, is the third child in the family to be honored as a Fallbrook Student of the Month, in previous years her sister Christel and her brother, Mark, were also lauded.

Koptizke is an assistant on the Academic Team and has been a cheerleader for four years. She also volunteers at Christ The King Lutheran Church (CTK) as a member of the Worship Team, is active in the youth group and assists during Vacation Bible School. She has been active for several years in CAST community theatre as an actor, singer and dancer where she exhibits a definite star quality.

Jenny Promack, director of Children’s Ministry at CTK, said that she is “dependable and such a great example for the other girls – her dedication inspires.”

Brandon Way, youth director at CTK had this to say, “She is the hardest worker…on the Mission trips to Mexico she doesn’t stop with the pick and shovel.” He went on to say that she plays a “huge role” in the youth group and uses every free minute after cheer practice and before youth group to study.

Her father, Keith, said she was “a pure joy when growing up. She has a love for God, a love for her family and a love for her friends that is inspiring.” He also said that “her passion has helped her succeed, but she won’t wallow in self pity when she doesn’t.”

“She has a gift for touching others,” Sue Johnson also noted.

Zack Goshen a senior at Fallbrook High, has been on the honor roll for four years, has been a member of the American Sign Language (ASL) Club for four years and serves as Vice President, has been an Ambassador for People to People, and plays on the Fury soccer team.

Sharon Griener, a teacher at FHS, said she has “seen Zack become one of the most responsible, reliable and caring students in the past four years.” She also told the audience, “He is a great leader and a wonderful role model for his friends. He is very creative and talented and never lets me down.” Goshen helps her counsel students and demonstrates his creativity by creating dances and painting backdrops. “He has been a tremendous asset to my class as a student and a tutor,” she said.

When his father was deployed to Iraq, Goshen had to step in and help his family. “He has stood up and taken my place many times,” his father noted.

Goshen will attend the University of Colorado where he will study foreign relations.

Ben Maiava of Ivy High School is at the top of his class, works as a teacher’s aid and is a garden program volunteer. He is also involved in his church youth group. After high school he plans to work in the computer field.

Maiava was introduced by Lisa Broomfield, principal, and was given a testimonial by teacher Sherry Ryan. Ryan teaches the class that tends to the Ivy Organic Garden. Ryan told the audience, “It has been great to have him in class. He comes to school from beginning to end and doesn’t need the credits to graduate. He just does it because he likes it.”

His father mentioned that Maiava had been his “right hand in helping him raise his siblings,” after a divorce and before his marriage to Maiava’s stepmother.

“He has been a blessing in my life,” said Maiava’s stepmother. “He is a blessing to his siblings and is very giving of himself.”

“You are an incredible young man,” said Sue Johnson. “You have a golden pathway now,” she added.

Maiava thanked the teachers and his family for their support.

Maiava’s grandmother presented hand-made ribbon leis to all four Students of the Month. The family is from Hawaii so the lei-giving is a traditional way to honor one another.

The Fallbrook Community Student of the Month program is supported by members of the business and service community. Numerous organizations and elected officials award certificates of achievement and gift certificates to the honorees. Special Lamp of Knowledge medals are presented to the students by representatives of the American Legion.

 

Reader Comments(0)

 
 
Rendered 03/27/2024 15:17