Butcher, Chodola, Garcia, Schroeder honored

Based on their outstanding achievements and enthusiastic involvement in school and community activities, four high school students were honored at a special breakfast held May 5 at Fallbrook Golf Club.

Diocelina Garcia of Oasis High School and Jordan Butcher, Robert Chodola and Marlaina Schroeder of Fallbrook High School were selected as Fallbrook Community Students of the Month for May.

“It’s easy to see what’s right in this world when you come to this event,” said Sheriff’s Lt. Clyde Kodadek, who announced his upcoming retirement at the community event. “This will be the last Student of the Month program I will be able to attend on behalf of the department and I just want to say that after spending 30 years dealing with the dark side of life, and people at their worst, it was this event each month that recharged me. It was always the highlight of my month.”

Members of the business and service community joined together with representatives of elected officials to honor these four students who have praiseworthy academic achievements in addition to outstanding leadership qualities.

Diocelina ‘Chela’ Garcia was selected for the Student of the Month honor by Oasis teacher Linda Poznanter.

“Chela has made choices that we are here to celebrate,” Poznanter said. “Instead of making excuses, she was in school to finish her diploma. She has a wonderful attitude and is an all-around outstanding young woman.”

After losing her father in a tragic situation and giving birth to a baby in her sophomore year, Garcia took charge of her life and forged ahead to finish her education. Carrying a 3.3 grade point average at Oasis High School, Garcia also works as a cashier at Fallbrook Car Wash to help support her family. She said at the event that it is her desire to become a medical assistant or pursue a career in private investigations.

“I want to thank the sponsors of this program and the community for supporting this program,” Garcia said. “It shows us that education is important. I’m glad there’s someone who cares about us. I consider it an honor to graduate from Oasis.”

Jordan Butcher was named Student of the Month at the recommendation of Fallbrook High drama teacher Flo Villane.

“In 10 to 15 years, Jordan will be a major film star or politician,” Villane said. “He is an initiator and makes things happen. He has tremendous adult skills.”

Butcher is the president of the FHS Drama Club, is a student athlete who participates in water polo and is considered a motivator of his peers. Villane said Butcher plans to attend California State University Long Beach and major in cinematography and film.

“I want to say thank you to everyone that is here — Mrs. Villane, my parents for steering me in the right direction — and Mrs. Minner, my fourth grade teacher,” Butcher said.

Robert Chodola was honored as Student of the Month at the recommendation of FHS art teacher Dorothy Hartford. “Robert is an amazing young man,” Hartford said. “He is a gentleman and a scholar.”

Carrying a noteworthy 4.25 grade point average, Chodola serves as treasurer of the FHS French Club, has been a member of CSF for four years and has achieved success on the FHS Academic Team. He is a member of United Methodist Church of Fallbrook and in two years has given 100 volunteer hours to the Baja Animal Sanctuary. Hartford said Chodola plans on attending the University of California at San Diego to study biological sciences and medicine.

“I want to thank my family for always being there for me and the Student of the Month committee for providing this great opportunity for all of us,” Chodola said.

Marlaina Schroeder was lauded as Student of the Month after being nominated by FHS dance teacher Georgie Gipner.

“What sets Marlaina apart from others is how she takes on new activities and completes them with 100 percent effort,” Gipner said. “She is passionate about dance. I always say, ‘Nobody does it like Marlaina.’”

Schroeder is the dance group leader of the FHS Black Student Union, performs with the show choir, is a member of High Voltage (a hip hop dance team), varsity cheer squad and participates with the Fallbrook 4H horse group. She works for Subway in Bonsall. Schroeder said she plans to attend University of California at Davis to study math and biology and go on to become a cardiologist.

“Fallbrook High School has been an excellent experience for me and I have enjoyed it,” Schroeder said. “I’d like to thank the community and the committee for being recognized.”

The four students honored received numerous gifts and certificates of recognition for their accomplishments in addition to a personally engraved medal depicting the Lamp of Knowledge, presented by K.D. Van Antwerp of the American Legion Post 776.

Event emcee Sue Johnson explained that these four students bring the total number of students honored by the Fallbrook Community Student of the Month program to 281 since the program’s inception in February of 1997.

This nonprofit program is organized by a committee of the same name and is funded by several generous local businesses and service organizations.

If you know of an outstanding high school student that you would like to have considered for Student of the Month, please stop by the Village News, 224 N. Main Street, Suite A, Fallbrook, and pick up a nomination form.