May 29, 2025 | Jennifer Cortez, Palm Springs Desert Sun

In a moving celebration recognizing perseverance, purpose and passion, nine exceptional high school seniors from across the Coachella Valley were honored as Students of the Year by the Riverside County Office of Education this month.

In total, $37,500 in scholarships was distributed among the students, including matched awards for those enrolling in four-year universities through a partnership with OneFuture Coachella Valley — as well as yearlong academic and career support. Two of the scholarships were also made possible by Sun Community Federal Credit Union and Altura Credit Union.

Now in its second year, Greater Coachella Valley Student of the Year recognizes graduating seniors who not only achieve academic excellence, but who also persevere through challenges and contribute meaningfully to their communities.

“That is the essence of why we do what we do — as citizens, as human beings — to uplift the next generation,” said Riverside County Superintendent of Schools Edwin Gomez.

The following interviews with the nine honorees have been edited for brevity and clarity.

Alejandra Ayala, Cathedral City High School

Alejandra Ayala, a senior from Cathedral City High School, will attend San Diego State University this fall to study child development and dance, with hopes of becoming a dance therapist. A first-generation student and captain of the ballet folklórico team, she found healing and purpose through movement during some of her most difficult moments — including her mother’s battle with cancer.

How do you envision using dance therapy to support families and children facing hardships like those you’ve experienced?

AA: I definitely want to focus on bringing awareness into how to incorporate dance as a tool or a therapeutic resource. I want to bring it into marginalized communities where resources and therapy are scarce. And overall, I feel like kids learn best by doing hands-on stuff, rather than being told. I feel like dance would be a great way for children to really release their energy and any negative feelings they’re experiencing during tough times.

What does being named Student of the Year mean to you?

AA: It’s a kind of a testimony for all my hard work and dedication throughout the years. It’s a blessing because I feel like it’s helped boost my self-esteem in a way because I’ve lived through comparison throughout my life and I often diminish my hard work. This really serves as a way for me to stay motivated and encouraged, a (reminder) that I am capable of achieving whatever I set my mind to.

Julian Cansino, Indio High School

Julian Cansino, a senior at Indio High School, will pursue political science and marketing at College of the Desert and San Diego Mesa College, with aspirations of a career in public relations. A dynamic student leader, he served as California’s representative on the National Student Council, planning national conferences and advocating for youth on Capitol Hill.

From being your school mascot to traveling for leadership programs, how have these experienced influenced your interest in public relations and political science?

JC: I want to get into public relations to make others look good and (to) recognize others. I try my best to see everyone because not everyone’s seen. I want everyone to have a smile on their face. It’s hard to put into words, but I want to be the person that someone can depend on to make their day. I want to make change. Not a lot of people got the opportunity that I got to (travel to) Capitol Hill and go advocate for public education. So I want to try and be that ray of light (and) bring that to the valley.

What does being named Student of the Year mean to you?

JC: It’s not just for myself, but for my family because they set a foundation. I’m Julian Cansino III, so we have my grandpa, my dad and me. My grandpa started as a landscape worker. My dad followed those footsteps and he was a landscape worker. He pushed forward and now he’s with the police department. And now I have a lot of opportunities out there waiting for me because of them.

Kaylee Cuevas, Indio High School

Kaylee Cuevas, a senior at Indio High School, will attend UCLA this fall to study political science, continuing her commitment to advocacy and leadership. As a national representative in California for the SafeBAE Foundation, she brought vital conversations about consent and safety to her peers.

How do you see your personal experiences with SafeBAE shaping your approach to community service and social impact in college and beyond?

KC: Helping young women has been really something that has resonated with me, especially with how women have impacted and raise me, like my mom and grandma. Helping with SafeBae … helping others know what’s right and wrong, to lead them into a better adulthood (is my passion). That’s why I want to go into politics and help advocate for people who don’t really feel like they have a voice that’s being heard.

What does being named Student of the Year mean to you?

KC: It just shows how community is there for you. I don’t know if I would be here if there weren’t so many people supporting me, and it encourages me to just keep on going. I feel like it’s my community telling me they have my back and to keep pushing forward. It’s really sweet and sentimental, but it makes me feel like everything I do has a purpose.

Evelyn Gonzales-Vazquez, Palm Springs High School

Evelyn Gonzales-Vazquez is a senior from Palm Springs High School who is headed to UCLA to study human biology, with dreams of becoming a dermatologist. As a first-generation student, she embraced every opportunity — from captaining the ballet folklórico team to starring in her school’s musical.

How have your academic and personal challenges fueled your drive to pursue dermatology?

EGV: Being able to attend a school with such diverse programs and such a diverse community, I was able to find what I like to do, which was healthcare. I honestly never believed I was going to end up in the healthcare field, but just attending the (Palm Springs Academy for Learning Medicine) really allowed me to see how healthcare can bring people together. And honestly, I just really like helping people, so I want to give back to others and help them be more confident in their own skin through dermatology.

What does being named Student of the Year mean to you?

EGV: It’s a privilege for me to be here today because something I’ve learned over my high school years would be that having an education is not a given to everybody. I took every opportunity I could to be able to accomplish what I wanted, and that’s something that I’m grateful for. It’s also a representation of my parents’ sacrifices and what they’ve done for me, (as well as) everybody else who’s been there for me, supported me and given me all that love.

Julian Hernandez, Coachella Valley High School

Julian Hernandez, a senior at Coachella Valley High School, is bound for UC Berkeley, where he plans to study business. Known for his compassion, leadership and drive, he credits his success to the unwavering support of his family, mentors and coaches.

Launching your own business, Mochis Gummies, while managing sports and academics is no small feat — what did building your own business teach you about perseverance and entrepreneurship?

JH: Since I was a kid, I loved the simple idea of being able to buy something and just sell it to somebody else. That’s basically what influenced me to start my little career, what I’m doing now and what I’m trying to do in college. Honestly, it couldn’t have been done without all of the amazing support from my family, from my soccer teammates, my classmates and all of my amazing teachers. (I’ve learned) responsibility and definitely commitment. Because if you’re not committed, it’s going to fail. You’ve got to keep going, and be really responsible with your time management.

What does being named Student of the Year mean to you?

JH: It’s very comforting to be here with my family, my teachers, staff members from my school and being able to, once again, be recognized. Honestly, I’ll keep this moment in my heart for the rest of my life. I just want to thank everybody.

Rigo Oropeza, Palm Springs Community School

Rigo Oropeza, a senior at Palm Springs Community School, turned a difficult path into a powerful example of determination. Guided by his mother’s strength and the support of his school community, he’s chosen to embrace his future with humility and a deep appreciation for how far he’s come. He’s set to begin his studies at College of the Desert this fall.

After overcoming expulsion and family relocation, what does welding mean to you now as both a career path and a symbol of rebuilding your future?

RO: Welding really does look like a positive future for me, and with my ability to adapt to anything that I’ve put in front of me. Nobody really says it, but I’d like to pursue a career in cage fighting. It’s one of my favorite things — mainly because when I was little, my mom always loved to watch boxing with my grandpa. And my dad, he was a pro MMA fighter and he just inspires me. Five years from now, just see if I’m on the UFC roster. Hopefully I’m a champ. … To stay motivated, I ask myself why I’m here, who I’m here for, what I’m doing to accomplish (my goals). And in the end, it’s for my family, to make them proud.

What does being named Student of the Year mean to you?

RO: I’ve never felt as special as I have today. I’ve never won an award like this, ever. It just makes me feel like they saw me for me — not because I tried to get it, but because I was just doing what I was supposed to be doing and just doing good. And they honored me with the support, and I feel special.

Irma Rodriguez, Desert Mirage High School

Irma Rodriguez, a senior at Desert Mirage High School, will attend UC Santa Barbara to study psychological and brain sciences, with plans to become a mental health therapist. Her high school journey was shaped not just by academic success, but by the strength it took to face depression and PTSD head-on.

You’ve juggled academics, sports, volunteering and even raising goats — how have these experiences helped you develop resilience as you pursue a career in mental health counseling?

IR: All of these experiences have helped me see the community in all its forms, (from) the farmworkers to how I was treated as a client (seeking mental health support). I have a deeper understanding of different viewpoints, and that has helped me build resilience because I’ve seen how far I can go and how much I can accomplish in the future. … With my own experiences of being abused, I used to be really ashamed of that — but now I see it as a powerful thing to help others. I’m a survivor, not a victim. I’ve turned my pain into purpose.

What does being named Student of the Year mean to you?

IR: It shows me that my goals are worth investing in, that my future is worth investing in, that my silent battles weren’t unseen. They were seen and validated, so that means a lot and it means a lot to my family. They’re really proud of me because I wasn’t here to accept my Student of the Month award (in February) because I was in a mental health hospital, and I’m so glad I was able to attend now.

Humberto Urbano-Flores, Coachella Valley High School

Humberto Urbano-Flores, a senior at Coachella Valley High School, is headed to College of the Desert with plans to study psychology and eventually support young people as a mental health counselor. Despite facing family hardships and personal struggles, he persevered — emerging as an honors student and trusted peer mentor.

How has your journey inspired your passion for becoming a mental health counselor and helping others facing similar struggles?

HUF: The struggles that I faced — basically, which was my father getting into an accident last year and my mother surviving pancreatic cancer — made it really difficult to open up to other people and my friends. I believed that I wasn’t worthy enough for love. With everything that was going on, I thought being alone and being independent was the best way to go about it. But then, I found out it is OK to ask for help, and there are people out there that are willing to listen to you. So, I want to be someone that anyone can go to, especially my Hispanic and Latino community. I know that sometimes, it’s hard with the language barrier and if I have the power to communicate with them in both languages, I can help them receive the help that they need. This is how I started finding out that mental health is my pathway, my calling. I’ve always believed that helping others is something that is a gift that gets passed around.

What does being named Student of the Year mean to you?

HUF: I felt like winning this award was a way of me telling (this generation of) children that if I can do it, they can achieve so much more. I feel proud, as in all of my hard work, dedication, resilience has paid off, even in moments where I felt like no one. This felt like a full-circle moment because I’ve always been the friend who says, ‘I’m proud of you.’ And I never got that back. It was a very surreal moment. It felt as if I was representing kids (who) may have been struggling in silence.

William Zenteno, NOVA Academy Early College High School

William Zenteno, a senior at NOVA Academy Early College High School in Coachella, is known for his quiet strength and steady determination. He plans to study psychology at UC Riverside, aiming for a career as a vocational or career counselor. He balanced high school with active involvement in academies, clubs and internships — all while being concurrently enrolled at College of the Desert.

How did your leadership roles shape your decision to become a vocational counselor, especially for underserved communities?

WZ: After seeing what my counselors did, how they helped me apply to colleges, I want to help first-generation students like myself. My parents helped me out in school and supported me, but they didn’t (go through) the college application process, so I want to help the next generation with that.

What does being named Student of the Year mean to you?

WZ: It’s more than just academics. It’s my hard work and effort I put in throughout these four years of high school. At the beginning, I wasn’t the best student, but now I’ve put in a lot of effort into getting where I am today. I’m very thankful for RCOE for giving me this opportunity, this award and this scholarship.

Jennifer Cortez covers education in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at jennifer.cortez@desertsun.com.