Bachman, Bickel, Gonzales, and Vu honored as Students of the Month

Four of Fallbrook's brightest students were honored Oct. 6 at a special recognition breakfast held at the Fallbrook Community Center.

Gabrielle Bachman, Charles Bickel, and Nicole Gonzales of Fallbrook Union High School (FUHS), and Emily Vu of Oasis High School were saluted as October Students of the Month.

Ceremony emcee Greg Coppock started out the program by making sure the students understood the magnitude of their achievement – that out of a field of more than 2,000 students, they stood out in terms of academic success, leadership qualities and community outreach.

The students were then presented with Lamp of Knowledge medals from active duty military representatives Cpl. Shelby L. Robey, Lt. Cpl. Layne Crisman, Lt. Cpl. Brandon K. Thompson, and Lt. Cpl. Daniel I. Sydnor.

Vu was nominated by Oasis teacher Tracy Markham and was the first student to be recognized.

"When Emily walks into the room, you know she's there," said Markham. "She is always enthusiastic, she's very loud, and she's very positive. She is one of those students that really challenges me. I have to make sure that I know what I’m doing so I don’t look stupid in front of her. Emily is just a joy. Her academics is amazing, but more importantly than that, she’s an incredibly well-rounded person. A very nice person, and a fun young lady to be around."

Markham added that Vu takes advance placement classes, tutors fellow students, is working on the school's web site, started a journalism club at Oasis, and is a very accomplished tennis player.

“Doing independent study, I didn’t think I would do anything at the school because I thought I'd just go in and I’d do my homework," said Vu. "But Miss Markham introduced me to the other students and let me tutor them. She inspired me to start the (journalism) club because of a lot of the things she did – like her art and her writing. I wanted to show that. She also encouraged me to apply to UC schools, and without her, I wouldn’t have been able to do any of this."

Bachman was nominated by FUHS teachers Marin Pinnell and Estay Paulsen, both of whom couldn't make the ceremony. English teacher Lauren Jones pinch-hit for her colleagues and read the following words about Bachman that were penned by Paulsen:

"You meet a person like Gabrielle once in a lifetime. She has a thirst for knowledge unlike anyone else. She not only wants to learn the how to, but she also wants to learn why. I know that she will be successful with whatever comes her way, and that she will always give 200 percent.”

Jones added that Bachman is the editor-in-chief of the school newspaper, is a cheerleader, and volunteers her time through her church in investing in the community.

Bachman plans to continue her humanitarian work through a medical career.

“I intend to attend a four-year university and then move on to medical school, because one day, after years and years and years of school, I hope to become a cardiothoracic surgeon and work closely with the organization Doctors Without Borders,” said Bachman.

Tony Morrow, college career councilor at FUHS, and his colleague, Pam Cain, nominated Bickel, a fine athlete and superior student.

"I had the pleasure of coaching Charlie in football and we asked him to play running back, tight end, wide receiver, safety and outside linebacker," said Morrow. "Not in the same season, but literally in the course of a game. He had to learn all those positions and he had to learn to shift gears at a moment’s notice, and never once can I recall him having a mental gaffe.

"Probably the most telling thing about him is, he never once complained," continued Morrow. "He gives you everything that he has. That’s who he is. In the classroom, he’s like that. He’s an absolute joy to be around. He’s going to be a success in whatever it is he decides to do in the future.”

“Participating in athletics has a been a great influence on my life," said Bickel. "The lessons and values that I have learned from athletics about working with others and being a respectful young man are irreplaceable. I thank all my coaches that helped shape the individual who I am today.”

Bickel also thanked his “great teachers" who have helped him achieve an incredible 4.61 GPA. He plans to apply to several prestigious colleges, including Cornell University and Stanford, and major in either a physical science/engineering field or international business economics.

“Wherever it is I end up next year, I’ll be able to take all the lessons, values and knowledge that has been handed down to me from my family, friends, coaches and teachers and the community of Fallbrook," said Bickel. "Fallbrook’s impact on my life will last forever.”

Gonzales was nominated by Kate Paragone, who was unable to attend the breakfast. Thus, teacher Kevin Roberts introduced Gonzales, an accomplished equestrian and a multiple winner of AAUW (American Association of University Women) speech competitions.

"You have a wonderful young lady who wants to help, and she finds ways to help through her passion for horses," said Roberts, noting that Gonzales volunteers at REINS, a non-profit therapeutic riding program for special needs individuals. "She’s going to continue with her passion and her fun-loving attitude and her helpfulness and desire to change the world.”

Gonzales told the gathering her goal is to some day open her own animal hospital.

“My dream is to go to UC Davis and get a masters in animal science," said Gonzales. "I want to go to veterinary school at Davis and specialize in equine surgery. And once I finish vet school, I would like to own and operate my own hospital."

The Fallbrook Student of the Month breakfast is funded by generous local businesses and organizations. For the 2016-2017 year, the platinum sponsor is the Angel Society of Fallbrook; gold sponsors are Coldwell Banker Village Properties and Law Offices of Faunce, Singer & Oatman; silver sponsors are Fallbrook Republication Women Federated and Fallbrook PTSA; and bronze sponsors, Fallbrook Vintage Car Club and Dr. Daniel Flores.