by Dr. G (Luis S. Gonzalez) on 2026-05-13

At the recent Council meeting, May 5, members of the Colton City Council recognized (18) high school students and formally announced a proclamation for

Student Leadership Day. As Dr.G read their names, he presented each student  with an official certificate signed by the Council, and talked about their post-graduate plans. Represented were student leaders from Art, Band, Culinary Arts, HEAL Program, Wellness Program, Publications, Auto Shop, Welding and Graphic Communications.
 
The Student Leadership program was established in 2016 with the goal of recognizing student leaders, who, based on the recommendation of their teachers, have demonstrated excellence in leadership for their respective school programs. In attendance were all eighteen students, their parents, members of their families, and several of their teachers. The recipients of this recognition were as follows;
 
Alberto Ray Aparicio – grade 12, student leader in Band. Plans on attending San Bernardino  
               Valley College, with a major in computer science
 
Chole Arellano – grade 12, student in Art. Plans on attending San Bernardino Valley College, with                  a major in Art and Animation.
 
Abigail Bermudez – grade 12, student leader in Band. Plans on attending Cal-Baptist University, 
               with a major in Psychology.
 
Raymond Anthony Casillas – grade 12, student leader in Auto Shop. Plans on entering the United 
               States Marine Corps Reserves, starting in August.
 
Jasmine Chacon – grade 12, student leader in Graphic Communications. Plans on attending   
               Riverside Community College, with a major in Administration of Justice and Law
               Enforcement.

Hetzabel Lomas Chavez – grade 12, student leader in HEAL Program. Plans on attending San

    Bernardino Valley College and Cal-State, San Bernardino; with a major in Nursing.
 
Damian Salazar Corona Jr – grade 12, student leader in Auto Shop. Plans on entering United 
                States Marine Corps active duty, starting in August.
 
Juan Alvarez Cortes – grade 12, student leader in Welding. Plans on attending San Bernardino  
               Valley College, with a major in Industrial Arts.
 
Ava Diaz – grade 12, student leader in Band. Plans on attending Crafton Hills Community College, 
               with a major in Radiology.
 
Giselle Lamas – grade 12, student leader in Publications. Plans on attending San Antonio College 
               and CalPoly Pomona, with a major in Computer and Networking Technology and Graphic
               Design
 
Nikolas Lara – grade 12, student leader in Welding. Plans on attending San Bernardino Valley 
               College and Cal-State, San Bernardino; with a major in Criminal Justice and Forensics.
 
Louie Leano – grade 12, student leader in Culinary Arts. Plans on attending San Bernardino Valley
               College, and San Diego State University, with a major in Electrical Engineering.
 
Yaslin Marquez – grade 12, student leader in Graphic Communications. Plans on attending 
               Riverside Community College, with a major in Nursing.
 
Jonathan Monroy – grade 12, student leader in Wellness Program. Plans on attending University 
               of California, Riverside; with a major in Environmental Sciences in Engineering.
 
Tisha Patel – grade 12, student leader in HEAL Program. Plans on attending University of
               California, Riverside; with a major in Biology.
 
Kimberly Robles – grade 12, student leader in Wellness Program. Plans on attending University 
               of California, Riverside, with a major in Biology.
 
Mark Rodriguez – grade 12, student leader in Publications. Plans on attending University of 
               California, Riverside, with a major in Media and Cultural Studies.
 
Nayleah Ruvalcaba – grade 12, student leader in Culinary Arts. Plans on attending Riverside 
               Community College, with a major in Psychology.

As Founder and Director of the Student Leadership Program, Dr.G builds on the fact that young people will be adults in the near future. Thus, the more experiences they have in terms of their academic development and social environment, as well as the skills they have learned in taking on leadership roles, the better they are prepared to be knowledgeable, competent and productive adult citizens in our community, and beyond. This program supports that premise, and continues to recognize students for their outstanding contribution to their respective organizations, as well as to the entire school and their community.

These 18 students are to be congratulated for their accomplishments and given full support in their respective leadership roles, as well as in their future educational pursuits. The Colton City Council continues to support its youth in the schools and is honored to recognize these student leaders as part of the Colton Student Leadership Day for 2026.