Deming, Hearn, Herrera and Milton are December Students of the Month

What do an outstanding tennis player, a captain of two aquatic sports teams, a spirit-raising color guard member and a business owner have in common? They were all selected as Students of the Month for December.

Julia Deming of Oasis High School and Ella Hearn, Josue Herrera an Daniel Milton of Fallbrook Union High School were honored at the Student of the Month breakfast Dec. 7 at North Coast Church.

The celebratory event began with a welcome from the always-energetic emcee Greg Coppock, an invocation from Kristen Lascola of North Coast Church, and the presentation of medals to the students by Marines from Camp Pendleton – Sgt. Nicholas Hoover, Cpl. Susan Johnson, LCpl. Skyllar Jester and LCpl. Jason Gautreaux.

Herrera was the first student to be honored and, interestingly, he was nominated by two teachers that have never had him in their classes – Marin Pinnell and Deanna Holtz. Pinnell introduced Herrera on behalf of the absent Holtz.

"The reason I chose Josue is we have pep rallies and assemblies at Fallbrook High and when I see Josue perform with the color guard and the band, I'm just moved," said Pinnell. "He gets the whole student body crowd involved when the color guard performs.

"He's an amazing kid and an amazing student," continued Pinnell. "He takes honors and AP classes. He volunteers at his church and is active in church youth group events. He volunteers at the Fallbrook Library, where he helps organize books and helps with the younger children. He is a very active member of our community, at school and at church."

Herrera, who enjoys poetry and mythology, has applied to both UC Santa Barbara and UC San Diego and said he would like to major in architecture. He – as did all of the honorees – thanked the teachers that nominated him, the Student of the Month committee and his family.

"I'm very honored and very privileged to receive this award," said Herrera. "I'd like to thank the staff and superintendent of Fallbrook High School for having beautiful programs open for every student."

Herrera thanked his parents for steering him in the right direction.

"They've been through my struggles and sometimes I've been a rebellious child, but they helped me get back in line and to strive for success," said Herrera. "I do hope I end up in architecture and in the future I can help my parents, because we've had rough times in my childhood and I'd just like to repay them for all the hard work they've put into my life."

Pam Cain and Tony Morrow from Fallbrook High's college and career center nominated Hearn, who maintains a 4.2-plus GPA and is captain of both the varsity girls water polo and swim teams.

"Ella is a stellar student/athlete," said Cain. "Whether she is in the pool or in the classroom, she gives more than 100 percent all the time. Ella is very responsible and motivated. She comes to school every day with an excitement for learning and a dedication for going above and beyond."

Cain added that faith, family and friends are of utmost importance to Hearn, who works with children through the children's ministries at North Coast Church. Cain described Hearn as a model student and community member who sets a positive example for her peers.

Morrow said Hearn is a "phenomenal young woman and a phenomenal student" who is true to herself.

"I just love it when our youngsters are able to live out their faith and they're proud of who they are and where they are in their Christian walk – that's extremely important to me – and Ella just screams all of that," said Morrow.

Hearn related that she transferred to Fallbrook High as a sophomore from a school "in kind of a rough school district" and found Fallbrook to be "like a breath of fresh air."

"I was able to get involved in sports and AP classes and just developed a great community through the kids at Fallbrook High, the teachers and the staff members," said Hearn. "I feel like it's prepared me very well for whatever this next phase of life is."

Hearn also acknowledged North Coast Church.

"Getting involved in North Coast and the youth group here was probably the best decision I ever made," said Hearn. "I've made such great friends and developed such a strong community and I've received such great biblical teaching."

Hearn said she has applied to colleges and isn't sure yet if she'll stay local or go away to college.

"I'm really excited for either option and I'm excited to see what this next phase of life will bring," said Hearn. "Thanks to everyone that's been involved in my life and helped me get to this point."

Teacher Connie Fellios nominated Milton, who along with his good friend, Alec Billmeier, started Fallbrook Landscaping Company while attending Fallbrook High. The company employs college and high school students.

"He is a respectful young man, determined, disciplined, intelligent, innovative, curious, and fun with a dry sense of humor," said Fellios of Milton, a member of the academic, baseball and golf teams. "He's an exemplary student/athlete. Daniel successfully balances a rigorous academic schedule with athletics, extra curricular activities, community service and entrepreneurship."

Fellios said Milton earned the Outstanding Community Service Award from Sen. Joel Anderson primarily for his many hours of volunteer work at the Fallbrook Food Pantry. She also explained that Milton has designed and programmed web sites, designed a video game app for iPhone, won awards through his engineering skills, and hiked both Mount Baldy and Mount Whitney (the tallest mountain in the continental U.S. at 14,505 feet).

Milton spread thanks around the room, touted his landscaping business ("if anyone is looking for any kind of work from two good workers, we'll give you our business cards") and talked about his college plans.

"My college goal is to major in computer science and minor in economics," said Milton. "I'm planning to apply to Rice, Harvey Mudd, Colorado School of Mines, and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo."

Teacher Bennielyn Verrett nominated Deming, whose tennis prowess earned her a full-ride scholarship to the University of Kansas. Verrett said Deming has never let her busy travel/tennis tournament schedule get the better of her academics.

"She's a very dedicated student," said Verrett of Deming. "Her commitment and discipline on the court is transferred to her excellent approach to education and her academics. She has a very positive attitude in everything. She's always smiling. I don't think I've ever seen her down."

Verrett said it is easy to see why Deming is so successful on the tennis court.

"She has a tremendous work ethic," said Verrett of Deming. "When she's given a challenge she steps to the plate – wait, no, that's the wrong sport (to laughter). She volleys, wins the point and serves aces. She shows determination until she accomplishes her goal."

Verrett added that she was looking forward to seeing what Deming is going to do later on in her life.

Deming said she found Oasis High to be like a tough opponent across the net when she first started at the school.

"I started Oasis as sophomore and going in I wasn't prepared for it to be that difficult, so I struggled at first but my family was always there to help me," said Deming. "I'm very happy I stuck with it. I feel like I'm more prepared going into college, so I'm happy I persevered through the tough times and I'm ready to start a new chapter of my life."

Deming is proud of the scholarship she earned and is looking forward to playing tennis for the Jayhawks.

"It took a lot of hard work and dedication but I'm very happy with what I've accomplished and I'm ready to start some new adventures in my life," said Deming. "I'm going to be really sad to leave Fallbrook but I know there are more accomplishments to come."

Deming said she would like to major in sports medicine.

"I've always been very involved in athletics and I enjoy helping people, so I think it would be a really good combo," said Deming.