Thirty-five 4th- through 8th-grade students were recognized as role models to their peers and adults at the Rio School District’s Inspirational Student Recognition Program Luncheon, the district reported in a media release.
The students recognized at the luncheon include Victoria Anaya, Alissa Arroyo, Makani Ash, Gustavo Ayala, Anna Belen Garcia, Angela Botello, Ivy Dimelanta, David Garcia, Lisa Garcia, Nestor Gracida, Miranda Guerrero, Eric Hernandez, Gissel Jimenez, Frankie Lindsey, Zyanna Lozano, Kevin Luna, Luis Martinez, Ramzes Maya, Andrea Mendez, Cesar Meza, Stephanie Michel, Lisset Ochoa, Cherish Ortega, Victoria Ortiz, Matthew Payne, Jesus Pena, Tommy Revelez, Marleen Rivera, Edmound Romero, Angel Tellez, Navdeep Tiwana, Caleigh Tupy, Alejandro Velasquez, Ernest Veran and Daniela Zendejas.
The students’ parents, Rio School District employees and community leaders also attended the Dec. 8 lunch-and-learn event co-sponsored by the Rio Schools Foundation at the Topa Tower Club in Oxnard.
Stephanie Almstrom, a counselor in the Rio School District, was also honored as the district’s Most Inspirational Employee. Maria del Rocío Villasen?or-Gonzalez, a family physician with the Ventura County Medical Center, was the keynote speaker.
The lunch-and-learn event is held three times a year and is open to the community.
“The luncheon recognizes students who work to make their schools a better place for all students, and to give them a chance to meet adults who are leaders in our community. This connection with caring adults helps the students visualize the career opportunities open to them and encourages them to stay in school and get an education,” Sherianne Cotterell, Rio School District Superintendent, stated in the release.
The Inspirational Student Program was launched in 2008 by the Rio superintendent and the board of trustees to recognize the Rio students in fourth through eighth grades who show initiative and drive in their studies, tolerance and respect to others, and have a positive attitude, the district reported. Inspirational students also receive a certificate at a board of trustees meeting.
The Rio Schools Foundation is co-sponsoring the luncheon. The Foundation is a nonprofit organization that was created to help raise funds for district programs that enhance and enrich educational opportunities for Rio students. It shares the district’s goals of helping all students continue their academic and social education to become independent, caring and responsible adults.
The Rio School District includes six elementary and two middle schools and a Community Day School. There are more than 4,500 students in the district, which serves the unincorporated community of El Rio, the RiverPark development and portions of the city of Oxnard. For more information, visit www.rio.k12.ca.us.