Banta, Beltran, Nikolaus and Stephens recognized as Students of the Month

Belle Banta, Jeremy Nikolaus, and Rickey Stephens of Fallbrook Union High School (FUHS) and Jose Beltran of Ivy High School were honored as the March Students of the Month for the Fallbrook Union High School District (FUHSD) at a special, community breakfast held March 5 at the Fallbrook Community Center.

Dr. Hugo Pedroza, superintendent of FUHSD, said of the outstanding students, "This is as good as it gets in our district; these students signify what we do."

Students are selected for the honor after nominations are made by teachers, staff, or community members based on the individuals' academic achievements, volunteerism, leadership skills, and positive behaviors.

Belle Banta was nominated for the student of the month honor by FUHS teacher and yearbook advisor Dan Bachman.

"Our yearbook would not be possible this year without Belle; she is the editor-in-chief," said Bachman. "It's her first year at Fallbrook High and she is absolutely worthy of this distinction. She has gained the camaraderie of her fellow students and is one of the top students I have ever encountered."

Banta, from a Marine Corps family, is a senior and said Fallbrook High is the third high school she has attended. She was described as being "strong, organized and responsible."

"I want to thank Mr. Bachman for nominating me for the

honor and also thank everyone for being selected out of all the wonderful people at Fallbrook High School," said Banta. "I hope to settle down (in college) for a while. I am hoping to be able to attend Dartmouth in New Hampshire and study education or possibly journalism."

Jeremy Nikolaus was recommended for the student of the month honor by Fallbrook High agriculture teacher Doug Sehnert.

"It is a great pleasure for me to recommend Jeremy, who is a student of the ag department," said Sehnert. "He is a wonderful student and I am sure he is going to continue to go on and be really successful. He is a problem solver, confident, and well respected amongst his peers."

Sehnert also said Nikolaus is an officer in the Fallbrook FFA chapter and has been very involved in a renovation project for the department's Beef Enterprise Barn. Nikolaus is currently raising his second Beef Enterprise project in addition to working part-time.

Rickey Stephens was selected as a student of the month based on the recommendation of two Fallbrook High teachers – Tara Razi and Meghan Romero. Razi teaches government and economics and Romero teaches dance.

"Rickey is very involved in sports and hosting (campus) activities," said Razi. "He is very talented in art and music also. He is amazing to have in class; a wonderful student and very well-mannered. He is also very eloquent at speaking and writing."

Romero talked about how Stephens applied for dance class without any prior instruction, but she felt he was worthy of an opportunity. "Rickey is so creative in class; he is always coming up with choreography. He is very kind and patient with other students and he is what I would call the "total, model student."

Stephens, who plays on the school's championship rugby team has also been a four-year CIF accomplished diver.

"It's such an honor to be recognized as a student of the month," said Stephens, who went on to talk about how inspirational Razi and Romero have been to him and how appreciative he is of his family's support. "I plan on attending Palomar Community College in the fall to get my general education (requirements), then I plan on attending San Diego State University to study business administration with an emphasis in math and marketing."

Jose Beltran was nominated by Ivy High School as its student of the month. "Jose is so mature," said principal Melissa Marovich. "He is also thoughtful, polite, and kind."

Math teacher Greg Keener continued to speak about how Beltran has earned the respect of the staff.

"Jose is a product of this community," said Keener. "He has attended all Fallbrook schools; I have reviewed his records. He may have been somewhat immature in the past but he now sees the inherent value in schooling. He is a community volunteer who takes a lot of pride in his work. I am very proud to speak on his behalf."

"It's true; I wasn't very mature in elementary school and at Fallbrook High School; but then I realized I needed to get my act together and went to Ivy," explained Beltran. "On my first day at Ivy I felt very welcome; it is like a family. Everyone has a relationship with their teachers. I have excelled a lot and am finishing up my senior year at Ivy."

Beltran has served as Ivy High's representative on the FUHSD board, and consistently helps in the school office. His future plans include attending MiraCosta College to achieve his associate's degree in sociology and then to attend a four-year university to get his bachelor's degree in social work.

At the breakfast event, each of the students was awarded a Lamp of Knowledge medal by active duty Marines LCpl Jessica L. Naylor, LCpl Michael Mahanes Jr., and PFC Christopher Jones. In addition, the students received many certificates of recognition and gifts from local organizations and businesses for their accomplishments.

"You come [to this breakfast] and you get inspiration and hope for our future," said emcee Greg Coppock. "These four students showed us that they think about others more than themselves."

The Fallbrook Student of the Month breakfast is funded by supportive local businesses and organizations, including Major Market, Fallbrook PTSA, Law Offices of Faunce, Singer & Oatman, Fallbrook Village Rotary Club, Coldwell Banker Village Properties, Fallbrook Vintage Car Club, Fallbrook Republican Women Federated, and Sheri’s Flowers.

To nominate an FUHSD high school student for this honor, email [email protected].