Nordeen, Patel and Sanchez named Students of the Month

Christine Eastman

Special to the Village News

North Coast Church once again hosted the Fallbrook Unified School District's Students of the Month celebration on Thursday, Nov. 2. The proud recipients this month were Fallbrook High students Claire Nordeen and Misha Patel. Ivy's rock star is Angelina Sanchez. (The third Fallbrook High student was sick and unable to attend the breakfast; she will be honored at a later date.)

As can be expected, all of these students not only excel academically but fulfill so many other passions, family obligations and community roles that it's worthy of mention and recognition.

As we have mentioned before, these kids are "self-motivated." They are not helicopter-parented, over-scheduled by their parents or forced to do anything they don't want to do. Here's a little bit about each of the students who received this month's award.

Claire Nordeen (Nominated by FUHS teacher Marin Pinnell)

4.2 GPA; 40+ hours of community service, "a real dynamo," excellent student, balances AP/IB classes, AP Capstone program, tremendous athlete in volleyball (4-year varsity starter and 2-year captain), basketball (3-year varsity starter and 1 year Captain), active in clubs and community service. Led the annual Fallbrook Fury volleyball camp, participated in Ingold Sports Park cleanup and maintenance days, active in Christ The King Church youth group and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Chemistry teacher Pinnell said, "She is like a water molecule – so pure. An absolute essential element of Fallbrook High School." Her grandmother added, "In life you need good judgment, moderation and common sense, and Claire has all of those qualities."

Misha Patel (Nominated by FUHSD teacher Pinnell)

4.4 GPA; 150+ community service hours through Boy Scouts, Youth Court, FHS Positive People Club, called a "force to be reckoned with," outgoing, helpful and positive – always enters a room with "a huge, beautiful smile that everyone loves." Active with many clubs on campus, she completed the AP Capstone Diploma program prior to her 12th grade year, is co-editor-in-chief for the school newspaper, CSF member, president of the Art club and Environmental club, Academic Team member, Senior Patrol Leader for the Boy Scouts, was awarded a Rotary youth leadership award, won a first place in fine arts at the San Diego County Fair, worked as a summer school tutor for English.

Pinnell said, "She is a proton – the positively charged particle that attracts molecules." Her family moved here from India for the purpose of better educational opportunities, and she's interested in orthodontics, saying that when she got proper dentistry here in the U.S., "I felt so much more confident and now I love to smile!"

Angelina Sanchez (Nominated by Ivy teacher Corey Boyce and David Cruz)

2.1 GPA, excellent student, excels in web design, English, anatomy, yearbook classes. Sanchez is willing and able to help fellow classmates understand assignments and mentors them while working on any subject. She is a helpful participant in Ivy's cooking class and has won many awards, helped the Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce during the annual Christmas parade and is active in the Women Wonder Writers (WWW).

Cruz said, "Angelina has the spirit of a first responder...she's a fighter."

These students not only embody absolutely staggering determination, but compassion and heart to take care of their families and community. "It takes a village" indeed – and these girls are truly building our future village.

Members of the Fallbrook Alumni Association, Fallbrook PTSA, Pacific Western Bank, Fallbrook Village Rotary Club, Fallbrook Vintage Car Club, Fallbrook Women's Club, Republican Women of California/Fallbrook, Bonsall Woman's Club, Fallbrook's Angel Society and American Association of University Women were on hand to let students know that each of these generous philanthropic organizations offer scholarships for students who show not only academic superiority but community involvement, passion and a drive to succeed that goes above and beyond the scale of normal.