Oceanside Students Honored At February's Rising Star: RECAP

OCEANSIDE, CA — The Oceanside Chamber of Commerce hosted the February Rising Star student recognition program for the 2021/2022 school year at the El Camino Country Club last week.

The Oceanside Chamber's Rising Star Program aims to champion students that have overcome significant challenges in their life but have managed to keep or get back on track, with their education. The Chamber honors one high school senior each month from each of our area high schools at a breakfast event.

Mayor Esther Sanchez began the program by congratulating the students for overcoming their individual challenges. During the event, the school principals, the student's parents and mentoring teachers shared what set each student apart and provided examples of their character, integrity, passion, focus and perseverance that has made them such a Rising Star on their campus and in our community.

February 2022 Rising Star honorees were:

Surfside Educational Academy: Shanece Muses
Oceanside High School: Dianne Ibarra
El Camino High School: Nhi Ngo
Coastal Academy High School: David Shively

“On rare occasions, we are fortunate to cross paths with an individual who is the personification of intelligence, kindness, strength, grace, and good character. Surfside's Rising Star of the Month, Shanece Muses, is that person. From the moment Shanece first stepped on Surfside's campus, she brought her unique and infectious happiness positively impacting all who cross her path. Pivotal to her story is that the challenges she experienced throughout her life have only served to amplify her already incredible qualities. In recognition of her hard work, impeccable character, and tremendous grace, the Surfside team is extremely proud to support and honor Shanece as our Rising Star of the month.”
— Eric Frandsen, Principal, Surfside Educational Academy

“Dianne Ibarra migrated to the United States from Guanajuato, Mexico when she was 14 years old. She did not know how to speak a word of English when she enrolled at Lincoln Middle School in 8th grade. Despite the language and cultural barriers, she excelled in school and managed to meet reclassification criteria after 3 years. She challenged herself and enrolled in dual enrollment classes and AP classes after her sophomore year. She has already been accepted to 3 prestigious colleges, but her goal is to attend U.C. Davis and study Biology or Animal Science and become a Veterinarian. She has been part of Oceanside High School’s Health Career Academy to help her prepare for this. She will be the first in her family to attend a university. Dianne is one of a handful of students who have met the rigorous Oceanside Unified School District requirements to become an honors graduate. We are all proud that she will be representing Oceanside High School as our Rising Star.”
— Skyler M. Garrahy, Principal, Oceanside High School

“Nhi Ngo is a senior who immigrated to California from Vietnam in September of 2020, right in the middle of the pandemic. Due to COVID school closures in her home country, she was not able to attend school during the spring of her 10th-grade year. When she transitioned to California, we were still providing instruction virtually, so Nhi had to learn to navigate the U.S. system while at home. Despite these challenges, she continued to be a resilient, strong and hardworking student, achieving above a 3.5 GPA since starting at E.C.H.S. Nhi will be attending MiraCosta College in the fall with plans to transfer to a 4-year university and study Graphic Design.”
— Eileen Frazier, Principal, El Camino High School

“Coastal Academy High School is thrilled to honor David Shively as our Rising Star. David is a member of the class of 2022 and is graduating with an inspiring cumulative GPA of 3.97. Throughout his educational career, David has faced a variety of social-emotional obstacles. He has courageously faced these head on and overcome them through perseverance and grit. David is passionate about marine life, reading & photography, specifically underwater photography. He has aspirations of being a marine biologist and will major in a related field in college. David plans to pursue an internship at Scripps Institution of Oceanography or somewhere similar. David is a determined, focused young man whom we are proud to call a Stingray.”
— Samantha Bartrom, Principal, Coastal Academy High School

The Rising Star Honorees are eligible to apply for higher education scholarships that will be awarded at the end of the school year. While scholarships may be awarded for a wide variety of fields of study, the Chamber and its Workforce Development Task Force will be asked to keep in mind the emerging industries in the region including technology, biotech/life sciences, advanced manufacturing, and hospitality.

View photos from the Rising Star event on February 15, 2022.

The next Oceanside Chamber's monthly Rising Star Breakfast will be held Tuesday, March 15th from 7:45 AM - 9 AM. The Chamber will honor one high school senior each month from each of our area high schools at a breakfast event.

Rising Star Breakfasts are open to all educators, family members of students being honored, Chamber Board Members, business leaders, community members and event sponsors. All donations to the Rising Star program are tax deductible through the Oceanside Chamber Foundation, a 501(c)(3). Tickets are $25 for Chamber members and $40 for prospective members.