Seniors Natalie Gonzalez and Jaden Scott, in addition to junior Rhys Panero, were chosen as the October Students of the Month recently at Escalon High School. The three were recognized at a breakfast meeting of the Escalon Sunrise Rotary, which sponsors the program at the high school.

Yearbook editor, senior Natalie Gonzalez was nominated for her positive attitude, being diligent and regular participation in class, often without being prompted.

“This is a result of her constant striving for academic success and shows her strong leadership, collaboration, and communication skills,” noted teacher Alexa Gregorios in the nomination.

She has played basketball since third grade, has attained a GPA of 3.0 or above all four years of high school, has coached for the youth Escalon Basketball program annually, received student athlete awards including the most defensive player honor and has also received greenhand, teacher and academic awards.

“I would like to thank my parents for showing me what hard work looks like and showing me nothing comes easy and the countless hours of studying, dedication and hard work pays off,” Gonzalez said, noting they have shaped her into the person she is today. “Also Ms. Gregorios for believing in me and nominating me for Student of the Month.”

Senior Jaden Scott was lauded for always being willing to volunteer and for her regular participation in class. She leads through example in after school activities as well.

“I would like to thank Mrs. Beard for nominating me, parents for always supporting me and coach Teresa for always pushing me,” Scott said.

Involved in the PIT, Peer Interaction Team, for three years, she also served as Junior class president and was a peer leader in special education. She volunteers with the local wrestling program, working tournaments and assisting at fundraisers. She is a former community theater performer and was this year’s first runner up for Miss Escalon. She has been on the honor roll every year and plans on attending a four-year university in the fall. She plays both school and Club travel volleyball, has played on the varsity for three years at EHS and is a team captain this season, has received honors for scholar athlete and was the MVP at a recent tournament and she went with her travel team to nationals this past year.

Psychology teacher Andrew Beam nominated junior Rhys Panero for the honor this month, pointing to the “tremendous job” he has done so far this year in psychology.

“He is one of the most active students we have in the College Prep Psychology class and is consistently one of the top performers on summative and formative assignments,” Beam explained. “Even after his surgery, in which he could not write or take notes the entire time, he was one of the highest scoring individuals. I commend Rhys for not letting his injuries affect his schooling. He plays multiple sports, is extremely active in the FFA, and continues to maintain a great academic standing at Escalon High School.”

A current FFA member who shows a pig each year at county fair, he had also been a 4-H member since second grade until his freshman year when he joined the FFA. He has maintained a 3.0 or better GPA each year, and has been part of the football and wrestling teams at EHS. He was awarded Most Inspirational for wrestling and has been a team captain and leader, he was third in the division his freshman year and has received student athlete awards for the last two years.

“I would like to thank my parents for always pushing me to be my best, especially when I wasn’t,” said Panero. “Also, Mr. Beam for nominating me for Student of the Month and coach Scott for helping me with my wrestling career.”