Almendarez, Patton, Bardeen, Hampton, recognized at event

Joseph Patton of Oasis High School and Jessica Almendarez, Kristin Bardeen and Zachery Hampton of Fallbrook High School were recognized as outstanding high school students at the Fallbrook Community Student of the Month breakfast held December 1 at the Hukilau Restaurant, Fallbrook Golf Club.

“We are in our ninth year recognizing outstanding local students,” said emcee Sue Johnson. “This is a very big honor for them and a real joy for those of us who get to hear these students’ stories of success.”

Representatives of elected officials and members of the business and service community attended the event to honor these four students who have praiseworthy academic achievements, community service accomplishments and outstanding peer leadership qualities.

Joseph Patton was recommended for the Student of the Month honor by Oasis High School teacher Toni Bongiovanni.

“Joseph is a tremendous leader with outstanding potential,” Bongiovanni said. “He remains focused and is really a positive role model for his friends.”

In addition to being described as loyal and dependable, Patton works in the construction field in addition to his academic pursuits. Patton was recognized as a standout amongst his peer group and one who sets a positive example for others to follow.

“I’m honored to receive this award,” Patton said. “I’ve been able to see how hard work and determination pay off.”

Jessica Almendarez was nominated as a Student of the Month by Fallbrook High School Athletic Director John Hayek.

“Jessica does everything — she works in youth soccer clinics and camps, gets great grades and is an outstanding soccer player,” Hayek said. “She is most deserving of this recognition. She is a natural leader people want to follow.”

Almendarez has played soccer for four years at Fallbrook High School and served as a team captain. She has volunteered her services to REINS Therapeutic Horsemanship Program for eight years and carries a 4.2 grade point average. She has been recruited by University of California at Riverside to play soccer.

“I want to thank my parents for always pushing me to do the right thing,” Almendarez said. “I also want to thank the community of Fallbrook for their confidence in me. I also want to thank Mr. Hayek for all the help he has given me in making the right decisions.”

Kristin Bardeen was named Student of the Month based on the recommendation of Fallbrook High field hockey coach Kathy Waite.

“Kristin has been such a pleasure to work with,” Waite said. “She has been a driving force for our team in league championship and CIF. She is someone who always looks at the positive and will do so well in life.”

Bardeen has played varsity field hockey for three years, is a member of CSF, is an AP student, volunteers her time at Fallbrook Hospital, is involved in the Madrigals vocal group and has participated in beach cleanup events and canned food drives. She has been selected as an Employee of the Month at El Jardin Mexican Restaurant. She also has the distinction of being named to the County All-Star Team for field hockey. Bardeen was recently offered a field hockey scholarship by University of the Pacific but says she is still exploring her options with other universities as well.

“I want to thank Coach Waite — she is much more than a coach to me. I can talk to her about anything,” Bardeen said. “My mom and dad have always been there for me. They’ve been so much more than they know. I want to thank the community because I am truly honored.”

Zachery Hampton was selected as Student of the Month after being nominated by FHS English teacher Connie Fellios.

“Students like Zachery Hampton give us so much hope for the future,” Fellios said. “He is courageous, incredibly intelligent, dedicated and moral. Zach was one of my top students and when I was coaching the academic decathlon team, I learned his forte is math and science!”

Hampton is a high-achieving student athlete who has participated in Warrior football (co-captain) and track. He competes in the shot-put and discus events. In addition, he does weightlifting and is a member of the Fallbrook High School Academic Team. In addition to working part-time for a pool maintenance company, he volunteers his time to Habitat for Humanity. Friends and family members say he shows a strong commitment to helping others.

“I want to thank the Fallbrook community for their support of the students and the football team,” Hampton said. “I also want to thank my parents and Mrs. Fellios for everything. I thank God for my friends and this great honor.”

All four students were presented with 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.

These students bring the total number of students honored by the Fallbrook Community Student of the Month program to 292 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 including American Legion Post 776, the Angel Society, Dr. Thomas Aspel, Bonsall Rotary, Bonsall Woman’s Club, Coldwell Banker Landmark Group, Community National Bank, Fallbrook AAUW, Fallbrook Golf Club and Hukilau, Fallbrook High PTSA, Fallbrook Republican Women Federated, Fallbrook Village Rotary, Fallbrook Woman’s Club, Dr. Daniel Flores, Dr. Richard Goble, Kiwanis Club of Fallbrook, Major Market, North County Times, Rotary Club of Fallbrook, Soroptimist International of Fallbrook and Village News.

If you are interested in nominating an outstanding high school student for this honor, please stop by the Village News, 224 N. Main Avenue, Suite A, for a nomination form.