Announced previously – before schools shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic – this trio is the final group of honorees as the Students of the Month for Escalon High School for the 2019-2020 school year. The program, sponsored by the Escalon Sunrise Rotary Club, highlights top students for their academic, athletic and community achievements.
Earning the most recent recognition were juniors Briana Briones-Chavarria and Logan Mendes, along with senior Max Teague.
Briana Briones-Chavarria was nominated by teacher and coach Rick Heflin.
“Briana is one of the nicest and hardworking students that I have ever taught. She is always doing something to help students, build school pride, and serve the community. If you have seen a poster on campus that was cool, it is a fair bet that Briana drew something on it,” Heflin said. “She is an active member in Key Club, student government, and sports as well as maintaining a 4.00-plus GPA. Very few people on this campus can compare to the number of hours that Briana has logged on community service projects. She also holds many leadership positions on this campus such as team captain, project manager in Key Club, and junior class president. She excels in all positions.”
Her student achievements include: Junior Class President for ASB; Art Club; Eco Club; GSA; Key Club as project manager; and she has participated in cross country, soccer and track and field at EHS.
Her awards have included Most Inspirational, Most Dedicated, MVP throughout her cross country seasons; TVL Scholar Athlete and a Coaches Award in track.
“I would like to thank my family, coaches and my teammates for always pushing me to give a 100 percent effort in everything I do and for always believing in me,” said Briana.
Junior Logan Mendes also earned his nomination from Heflin.
“Logan has exhibited leadership, community service, and an academic work ethic that needs to be recognized. He has been a leader in cross country and Key Club by helping the other students,” Heflin pointed out. “He has put in tons of hours helping the community in many different service projects. I can always depend on him to be there and work as hard as me. His work in the classroom continues to get better each day and he started with a good grade. He works well with others and appreciates the views of others. He is naturally inquisitive and works to improve himself in all facets of life.”
His student achievements include: Key and Stock Club member, as well as running cross country and participating in track and field. Awards he has received include Scholar Athlete and Perfect Attendance.
“I would like to thank Mr. Heflin for giving me this opportunity to be student of the month. He’s a big influence on my life and an incredible teacher/coach. I don’t where I’d be without him,” Logan said. “Also, cross country coaches and members for shaping me who I am today, and my parents, for they are my biggest influences.”
A senior, Maxwell Teague was nominated for the student honors by teacher Gale Harrington.
“Max is a respectful and diligent student. In class, he is an active participant, respectful of others’ opinions, and he demonstrates both effort and integrity in his work. Outside of school, he has been involved in the Explorer program for almost three years, where he volunteers his time serving the community while gaining experience that will aid him in a future career as a police officer,” Harrington noted. “He is so dedicated to the career goal that he is also taking early morning criminal justice classes in Modesto before starting his day at EHS.”
His student achievements include: Escalon Police Explorer, where he is able to ride along with officers and attend community events as an Explorer and attend monthly meetings to learn useful information in helping him further his career in law enforcement.
Promoted to Explorer sergeant, Max said that “made me feel like hard work and effort pays off and makes me want to keep doing what I am doing and keep progressing towards my career.”
He attends a criminal justice program at Grace Davis High School in Modesto that helps him to understand more about his career field.
At EHS, he has been active in track and field and cross country. He served as a group leader in both sports and oversaw taking roll and leading teams in warm-ups, and partially coaching pole vault.
Awards have included Academic Scholar for his 3.5+ GPA while in cross country and Coaches Awards for his leadership role in leading teams.
“I would like to thank my parents, even though they are scared about the career field I am going into. They have been nothing but supportive and that means a lot to me,” Max said. “Also my Explorer advisors for taking the time to teach me all that I know and Mrs. Harrington for nominating me for this award and being one of my best teachers I have ever had.”
The students were honored earlier at a breakfast meeting of the Rotary Club and presented with plaques recognizing their achievement.
