Nguyen, Rowley, Cabales, Hopson earn honor

Jason Nguyen, Katelynn Rowley, and Kim Cabales of Fallbrook Union High School and Makenna Hopson of Oasis High School were honored as the December Students of the Month for the Fallbrook Union High School District (FUHSD) at a special recognition breakfast held Dec. 3 at the Fallbrook Community Center.

Emcee Greg Coppock explained to the students and attendees that only four students are selected each month from the high school district's population to receive the award. It was stated that these individuals have earned the honor based on their leadership skills, school and community involvement, academic achievement, and more.

"These students make me proud," said Larry Boone, principal of Fallbrook Union High School (FUHS). "These are our leaders of tomorrow."

Jason Nguyen was nominated for the Student of the Month honor by FUHS ASB director Mike Lilly. Warrior football coach and English teacher Kyle Williams spoke of Nguyen's accomplishments.

"Jason proved to be a tremendous leader for the football team; he led by example," explained Williams. "He was honored by being named to First Team All-Valley League."

Williams said that Nguyen "cared about the wellbeing of the team" and went on to state that "he also has demonstrated great leadership on campus through ASB." With a 4.0 grade point average, Nguyen was described as "an outstanding student."

"I'm so proud of the young man Jason has become," said Williams.

In addressing the audience, Nguyen said, "I am blessed to be part of this (event) and part of this town." He went on to tell the audience that his future plans include studying to become a pharmacist.

"I have applied to four UC (University of California) schools and I am looking forward to the next chapter of my life," said Nguyen.

Kim Ellenros Cabales was recommended as a Student of the Month honoree by ASB director Mike Lilly.

"Kim is a young lady who is conscientious enough to take care of all her commitments, and she has many," said Lilly. "I am very proud of her."

Lilly explained that Cabales has headed up the ASB Blood Drive, a large-scale task. She is also involved with the AAUW/AVID program, has volunteered over 100 hours to the local skilled nursing facility, is a member of the California Scholarship Federation (CSF), works on the Tomahawk newspaper, is a Warriorhead and is fluent in both English and Tagalog.

"I want to thank the [Student of the Month] committee members for putting on this amazing breakfast and Mr. Lilly for nominating me," said Cabales. "I want to become a nurse practitioner and have been completing all my applications, including the supplemental ones for UCLA, UCI, SDSU, and other schools."

Katelynn Rowley was nominated for Student of the Month recognition by teacher Jason Cantu, who works with special education students at Fallbrook High.

"Katelynn is an officer in the school's CREW (Creating Relationships with Every Warrior) club, which is an effort that works to include special education kids in the mainstream campus culture," said Cantu.

"She has a heart for service and through her hard work, we are now connected with the San Diego Special Olympics," explained Cantu. "The success of the CREW club is amazing."

"I have also had Katelynn as a teacher's assistant and she is very welcoming and tutors the students socially; she is phenomenal and committed to the effort." It was also noted that Katelynn has a disabled sister of high school age.

In speaking to the audience, Rowley said, "Thank you all. I wasn't expecting this. I want to thank the community and Mr. Cantu for nominating me." Rowley went on to say her future plans are to attend a four-year university in California. She has filed applications, but is not sure which one she will attend yet. "I am going to be finding my way as I go," she said.

Makenna Hopson was recommended as a Student of the Month honoree by Oasis High School teacher Matt Parker.

"It is always enjoyable to recognize outstanding students," Parker said. "Makenna's desire to succeed is excellent. I could not be happier with her performance."

Parker went on to state that Hopson had spent 11 years as a competitive horseback rider, four years in gymnastics, and volunteers her time to the Special Olympics. "She has the elements of focus, dedication, and community," he said.

Hopson explained to the audience that she plans to attend either Colorado State University or Cal Poly Pomona and study veterinary science. "I want to study equine physical therapy," she said. She also plans on becoming involved in her university's equestrian team.

"I want to thank everyone who put on this breakfast and Mr. Parker for nominating me; I also want to thank my Mom for everything," said Hopson.

At the recognition breakfast, each of the four students was awarded a Lamp of Knowledge medal by active duty military representatives Lcpl Daniel Chavez; Lcpl John Lake, LCpl Clarissa Cuellar, and PFC Myranda Reiners. In addition, the students received many certificates of recognition and a bag full of gifts from local organizations and businesses for their accomplishments.

The Fallbrook Student of the Month breakfast is funded by generous local businesses and organizations. For the 2015-2016 year, the platinum sponsor is the Angel Society of Fallbrook; gold sponsors are Coldwell Banker Village properties and Law Offices of Faunce, Singer & Oatman; silver sponsors are Fallbrook Republication Women Federated and Fallbrook PTSA; and bronze sponsors, Fallbrook Vintage Car Club and Dr. Daniel Flores.

To nominate an FUHSD high school student for this honor, email [email protected].