The Encinitas Chamber of Commerce held its third Rising Star of the Month event for the 2024-25 school year on Nov. 13, naming one senior student each from San Dieguito Union High School District campuses.
The chamber has partnered again with MiraCosta College’s San Elijo campus this school year, which hosts and sponsors the monthly breakfasts honoring exceptional seniors from the local high schools in the San Dieguito Union High School District.
The honorary program recognizes high school students who have demonstrated character, integrity, love of learning and involvement in school and community, and/or have overcome challenging life circumstances without compromising their education.
Each month during the school year, additional San Dieguito Union High School students will be celebrated at a recognition breakfast. All Rising Star students will have the opportunity to apply for a scholarship which will be awarded in May 2025 at the Encinitas Chamber’s annual Salute to Education event.
The Encinitas Chamber’s Rising Stars honored were Angelly Zepeda from San Dieguito High School Academy, Jayden Magnin from La Costa Canyon High School, Kyson Hanson from Torrey Pines High School and Sarah Gao from Canyon Crest Academy.
Their families and local officials were in attendance, including Deputy Mayor Allison Blackwell, Shannon Bradley representing Congressman Mike Levin; Diana Kutlow, representing state Sen. Catherine Blakespear (D-38th District); Robson Winter, representing Assemblywoman Tasha Boerner (D-77th District); and Encinitas Chamber of Commerce CEO Sherry Yardley.
MiraCosta College is the Rising Star of the Month Event Sponsor. Scholarship and donors are MiraCosta College, California Coast Credit Union, Ting and AT&T. Gift donors include Broad Street Dough Co., California Coast Credit Union, Chick-fil-A, Chipz Happen, Community Resource Center, Gelato 101 Encinitas, MiraCosta College, Red Door Escape Room, Sambazon Acai Bowls and Ting. The chamber also thanked Cardiff Reef Café for providing breakfast for the event.
Go to encinitaschamber.com/
Chamber of Commerce notes of recognition
Angelly Zepeda, San Dieguito High School Academy: “Angelly is an absolute star. As a first-generation college student, she has challenged herself, taking a myriad of AP courses and succeeding in all of them. She recently won the Questbridge Finalist Award, which helps first-generation students pay for elite private colleges. She is a leader in her AVID class, school, and community. She lifts, supports, and encourages everyone around her, and for that reason, her AVID class has more students enrolled in AP classes than any we’ve ever had. She has dedicated herself to community service, tutoring low-income elementary school students weekly after school. You wouldn’t know she’s overcome great personal adversity on the road to her dreams because she moves through the world with such empathy and grace.”
Jayden Magnin, La Costa Canyon High School: “Jayden personifies what it means to be a STUDENT-athlete at LCC. He is a talented volleyball player who helped lead our team to a state championship last year. In addition, he takes a full load of advanced courses. Jayden has demonstrated grit, resilience and independence while overcoming a variety of challenges. He cares deeply about inclusion on campus and has pushed forward that mindset through participation in clubs.”
Kyson Hanson, Torrey Pines High School: “Kyson’s drive, independence, and tenacity prove to be qualities that will undoubtedly take him far in life. Kyson demonstrates grit and a strong sense of self. Kyson Hansen has an extremely bright future ahead of him and he will continue to embody what it means to be a ‘rising star.’”
Sarah Gao, Canyon Crest Academy: Sarah models CCA’s vision — she is Creative, Confident, and Accepting. She has made innovative contributions to STEM through patent-pending environmental research, and she has produced a documentary that is used in the curriculum for schools in Lemon Grove. She is also a published writer for Catalyst Magazine, and a contributor to CCA-TV. As the President of the School Site Council, she is an effective and diplomatic leader who leads with grace and positivity. She is truly a great human being who has everyone’s best interest at heart, and we are excited about the contributions she is making to our world!”
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