On Thursday, May 7, students, families, educators, and community leaders gathered for the annual Student of the Year Dinner, the culminating celebration of the Student of the Month Program, which recognizes outstanding students for their character, leadership, perseverance, and commitment to excellence.
The inspiring evening honored students from across the region whose stories reflected resilience, determination, academic achievement, and service to others. Throughout the night, scholarship recipients and Students of the Year were recognized for the positive impact they have made within their schools and communities.
2026 Students of the Year
Nevaeh Gray – Hamilton High School
Eddie Villa – Hemet High School
Celeste Lopez – Western Center Academy / Hemet School of Choice
Aidan DeSanto – Tahquitz High School
Samantha Calvillo Navarro – West Valley High School
Additional Scholarship Recipients
Mike Christie Memorial Scholarship: Lola Elzy, Hemet High School
Hemet Teachers' Association Scholarship: Jaysen Arreola, Hemet High School
Dr. Koka Family Medical Scholarship: Erendira Soria, Hemet High School
Dr. Kari McGowan Memorial Scholarship: Savannah Garcia, Tahquitz High School
Marie Quandt Memorial Scholarship: Katelyn Cerpas Fuentes, Tahquitz High School
Sizzler/BMW Management, Inc. Scholarship: Diego Gomez, Western Center Academy
Cassi Tichy Memorial Scholarship: Lily Snow, Academy of Innovation
More than an awards dinner, the event served as a powerful reminder of the importance of recognizing and uplifting students whose hard work, compassion, and perseverance continue to inspire those around them. The evening celebrated not only academic achievement, but also the character, resilience, leadership, and determination these students demonstrate every day as they work toward building bright futures for themselves and their communities.
Special thanks also goes out to the many sponsors, partners, and community supporters whose generosity and continued investment in students helped make the evening possible.
To learn more about the Student of the Month Program, visit Student of the Month Program.
Watch the Student of the Year Dinner video here: Student of the Year Dinner Video