Nine Desert-Area Seniors to Share $37,500 in Scholarships at Greater Coachella Valley Student of the Year

INDIO – An entrepreneur who started a local candy business and will study business at UC Berkeley, a ballet folklorico dancer who will enroll at UCLA to become a dermatologist, and an aspiring mixed martial arts competitor who will study welding at College of the Desert, are among the nine seniors in the Class of 2025 from high schools throughout the desert region who will be honored at the Greater Coachella Valley Student of the Year event on Thursday, May 22, 2025, at 9 a.m. at the Fantasy Springs Special Events Center (84-245 Indio Springs Parkway, Indio, CA 92203).

“Each Greater Coachella Valley Student of the Year is an extraordinary example of resilience, determination, and inspiration,” said Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Edwin Gomez. “We are grateful for our community partners who are sending these outstanding seniors off to college with thousands of dollars in scholarships to pursue their dreams.”

First organized by the Riverside County Office of Education during the 2023-2024 school year, the second year of recognition included Student of the Month events in October, December, February, and April that highlighted students from Coachella Valley Unified School District, Desert Sands Unified School District, Palm Springs Unified School District, and the Riverside County Office of Education. Each district selects its Students of the Month based on how they embody character, integrity, a passion for learning, active involvement in school life, sports, and community service, or have displayed remarkable resilience in the face of life’s challenges while maintaining a commitment to education.

All honorees from the 2024-2025 events were eligible to apply for the Greater Coachella Valley Student of the Year award. For the Students of the Year, RCOE selected two scholarship recipients from each of three desert-area school districts: Coachella Valley Unified School District, Desert Sands Unified School District, and Palm Springs Unified School District. One recipient was selected from RCOE alternative education programs.

Beyond these initial seven recipients, two additional scholarships are being provided by community partners. Sun Community Federal Credit Union and Altura Credit Union each selected one additional recipient. The nine total recipients were chosen based on their outstanding academic achievements, active participation in high school life, and their inspiring journeys of self-improvement and transformation.

As part of RCOE’s ongoing partnership with OneFuture Coachella Valley, many of the Student of the Year recipients will also receive a scholarship match—bringing their total scholarship award to $5,000.

Community partners who are sponsoring this year’s Student of the Month include:

• Sun Community Federal Credit Union
• One Coachella Valley
• Walter Clark Legal Group
• Office of Supervisor V. Manuel Pérez
• Burrtec Waste
• Altura Credit Union 

The Greater Coachella Valley Students of the Year include:

Coachella Valley Unified School District (CVUSD)

• Irma Rodriguez - Desert Mirage High School
  • February 2025 Student of the Month
  • High School Highlights: Participated in the Health Sciences and Medical Technology Program, Wrestling team, Puente Program, volunteered at local elementary school, raises goats and sells goat products, overcame trauma from mental/physical challenges
  • After Graduation: Attending UC Santa Barbara to study psychology and brain sciences, with the goal of becoming a mental health counselor

• William Zenteno – Nova Academy Early College High School
  • December 2024 Student of the Month
  • High School Highlights: Public Services Academy, concurrently enrolled at College of the Desert, founded Nova Academy Movie Club and Senior Club, internship with Migrant Career Academy Program at Riverside County Office of Education and Indio Water Authority,
  • After Graduation: Attending UC Riverside to study psychology with the goal of becoming a career/vocational counselor

• Julian Hernandez – Coachella Valley High School (Altura Credit Union Scholarship Recipient)
  • October 2024 Student of the Month
  • High School Highlights: AVID, Soccer team, Tennis team, S.U.P.E.R. Peer Counseling Program, launched Mochis Gummies business, overcame challenge of walking to school
  • After Graduation: Attending UC Berkeley with the goal of majoring in business

• Humberto Urbano-Flores – Coachella Valley High School (Sun Community Credit Union                                                    Scholarship Recipient)
  • April 2025 Student of the Month
  • High School Highlights: Tutored elementary school students, S.U.P.E.R. Peer Counseling Program, overcame bullying, mental/physical ailments, and family members’ cancer diagnosis
  • After Graduation: Attending College of the Desert with the goal of studying psychology, transferring to a four-year university, and becoming a mental health counselor

Desert Sands Unified School District (DSUSD)

• Julian Cansino – Indio High School
  • October 2024 Student of the Month
  • High School Highlights: Volleyball team, marching band/drumline, leadership trips to Washington, D.C., and Orlando, Renaissance/Leadership, Associated Student Body, school mascot,
  • After Graduation: Attending College of the Desert with the goal of transferring to a four-year university to study marketing, public relations, and political science

• Kaylee Cuevas – Indio High School
  • December 2024 Student of the Month
  • High School Highlights: Arts, Media and Entertainment Academy, student government, certified peer educator with SafeBae, concurrently enrolled at College of the Desert, Water Polo team, DECA/Business Club, overcame family trauma
  • After Graduation: Attending UCLA with the goal of studying political science and a career in community and social services

Palm Springs Unified School District (PSUSD)

• Alejandra Ayala – Cathedral City High School
  • February 2024 Student of the Month
  • High School Highlights: Digital Arts Technology Academy, concurrently enrolled at College of the Desert, Ballet Folklorico team, Dance Club, internship with Desert Ensemble Theatre, volunteer at local church, karate black belt, overcame family health challenges and frequent relocations
  • After Graduation: Attending San Diego State University with the goal of studying child and family development with a minor in dance to become a dance therapist

• Evelyn Gonzales-Vasquez – Palm Springs High School
  • October 2024 Student of the Month
  • High School Highlights: Health Sciences and Medical Technology Academy, concurrently enrolled with 35 completed units at College of the Desert, Ballet Folklorico team, USC Bovard Scholars Summer Program, Spanish Honors Society, Sports Medicine Club/Internship, overcame physical ailments
  • After Graduation: Attending UCLA with the goal of studying health sciences and becoming a dermatologist

Riverside County Office of Education (RCOE)

• Rigo Oropeza – Palm Springs Community School
  • February 2025 Student of the Month
  • High School Highlights: Wrestling team, Track/Cross Country teams, marching/jazz band, training to become a mixed martial arts competitor, overcame expulsion and family relocation
  • After Graduation: Attending College of the Desert with the goal of becoming a welder

About the Riverside County Office of Education (RCOE)

RCOE is a service agency supporting the county’s 23 school districts and 500+ schools that serve nearly 430,000 students—more than the student population of 17 states. RCOE services include administrative support to districts and charter schools, programs for preschool, special education, pregnant minor, correctional, migrant, and vocational students. In addition, the organization provides professional training, support, and resources for more than 18,000 teachers, administrators, and staff, throughout the 7,000 square miles of Riverside County. Learn more at www.rcoe.us.