Oceanside Students Honored At January's Rising Star: RECAP

OCEANSIDE, CA — The Oceanside Chamber of Commerce hosted the January 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.

Speakers at the event included Scott Ashton, CEO, Oceanside Chamber of Commerce; Mayor Esther Sanchez; Superintendent Dr. Julie Vitale.

During the event, the school principals, the student’s parents and mentoring teachers shared what set the 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.

January 2022 Rising Star honorees were:

Zitlali Valverde Gomez from Surfside Educational Academy
Daniel Cruz from Oceanside High School
Marlen Benites Venegas from El Camino High School
Johnny Dolores from Pacific View Charter School

“Surfside's Rising Star is Zitlali Valverde Gomez. Zitlali has demonstrated tremendous perseverance and self-direction in the face of multiple challenges. She owns her learning and has committed herself to purposefully advancing towards her academic and personal goals. Zitlaly consistently attends school, demonstrates the attributes of a mature adult, and is a pleasure to have as a student. The Surfside team proudly stands behind and celebrates Zitlaly and is committed to supporting her continued success.”
— Eric Frandsen, Principal, Surfside Educational Academy

“Daniel Cruz is a 17-year-old student at Oceanside High School who is passionate about the arts such as music and woodworking. He is a self-taught musician of a small variety of instruments and worked with his father in a woodworking shop to learn the trade. Daniel has aspirations of pursuing a higher education in the arts and would be a first-generation college student. As the eldest of 5 children, he works hard to serve as a role model for his younger siblings and strives to be the best that he can be in order to inspire them and others around him. Despite his struggles, Daniel is determined to move forward and achieve his dreams to make them realities.”
— Skyler M. Garrahy, Principal, Oceanside High School

“Marlen Benitez Venegas is an extraordinarily bright young lady who has persevered through some challenging times. Her determination, focus and character have led her to be the strong passionate scholar and leader she is today. As a freshman she faced medical challenges which affected her mental health. Fast-forward to her senior year and Marlen is now on track to graduate with Honors, receive the Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish and attend a university upon graduating. Marlen is definitely an unstoppable Rising Star!”
— Eileen Frazier, Principal, El Camino High School

“Johnny Dolores enrolled at Pacific View Charter School in the Fall 2019. Over the summer of 2020, he received devastating health news: osteosarcoma in his leg, which also spread to his lungs. While he was determined to continue school around doctors appointments and hospital visits, he soon realized that he needed to focus on his health and return to school once he was healthy. After a long 10 months of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, countless doctor visits, and hours of physical therapy, Johnny was ready to return to PVCS and graduate. Needless to say, Johnny is resilient. He is also a hard worker and always exceeds any goal he sets for himself. Johnny is one of the most polite, articulate, and devoted students his teacher has ever had. Johnny is also enrolled at MiraCosta College. He used this experience to determine his future path: becoming an X-ray technician.”
— Gina Campbell, Founding Executive Director, Pacific View

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 January 18, 2022.

The next Oceanside Chamber's monthly Rising Star Breakfast will be held Tuesday, February 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.