MURRIETA – On Feb. 7, the Murrieta Valley Chamber of Commerce High School Student of the Month Recognition Program was held and students and their families attended a breakfast sponsored by numerous local businesses. 

At the monthly event, students share personal stories of their most important life lesson, how they plan to ‘pay it forward’ when they return from college and stories of victory through challenging life circumstances. 

Kathia Gonzalez-Gallo

Murrieta Mesa High School

Kathia is an outstanding student who has a 4.5 GPA. Kathia, who is also known as Ali, has applied to 11 colleges and universities. She hopes to go to an Ivy League college on the East Coast. Ali plans to become a neurosurgeon and she wants to work with wounded soldiers. When she worked with football players sidelined by injuries during the varsity football games, Ali says knew she wanted to become a surgeon so she could use her skills to help people.

David Riser, Calvary

Murrieta Christian High School

David is an incredible student athlete. Although his school does not have a swim team, David continued to pursue the sport by swimming for Pacific Swim in Poway. He was named Cal Varsity Temecula Advertisement

[ The Tutoring Center ] Valley Scholar Athlete in 2010, 2011 and 2012. David also competed in the CIF Finals in 2010, 2011 and 2012. David plans to attend the University of Idaho and wants to go on to law school.

Karen Wolf

Murrieta Valley High School

Karen regularly maintains a 14-hour day schedule. She has been a four-year band member and is captain this year. As a four-year letterman in basketball, Karen is a fierce competitor. An honor student with a 4.0 GPA, she has applied to the Air Force Academy, UCLA, UCSD, UC DAVIS and UCR and plans to major in  pre-med. Karen plans to join the military because she is committed to protect our country and to working with injured soldiers.  

Dominic Parisi

Vista Murrieta High School

Dominic has spent four years in JROTC. He is a natural leader who sees the strength and potential in others and he has had a positive influence on the 260 students in his JROTC unit. Dominic hopes to attend the University of Northern Colorado on a JROTC scholarship as a business major. He would like to someday own his own business. Dominic values service before self and commits himself to excellence in all he does.