Photo Courtesy: Karmen Chavez-Sam
Back Row: Uriel Neis, Alex Tung, Nival Patel, Principal Goins; Front Row: Erica Chau, Valerie Kwee, Vivienne Le, and Karmen Chavez-Sam

By Emily Aguilar

Eastvale – After four years of grueling work in studying, sports, and being active in prestigious clubs, ERHS Seniors were finally recognized on Senior Award Night. The event was held on Thurs., May 14, at 6:30 p.m.

Behind the stage, numerous students were cheering one another on; most of the award recipients were life-long friends.  The atmosphere was filled with love as students took selfies and congratulated one another on their awards.

While the award ceremony rewarded students with certificates for being in nationally acclaimed clubs such as CSF and NHS, or receiving anywhere from $500 to $5,000 in scholarship money, the award ceremony was more of an opportunity for teachers and staff to reflect on how grateful they were to have worked with a plethora of talented students.

There exists a rare group of teachers who rightfully believe their students will influence the rest of the world. Thankfully, these teachers can be found at ERHS. As Victor Ruelas, an AP Government teacher, presented the Principal’s Award to Shukan Patel, he began to cry as he swore that Patel’s diligence, brilliant mind, and dedication to politics will one day make him “the next president of this country.”

Patel, who will be attending UCLA as a political science major, was only one of students to be recognized for his brilliance. Future UC Berkeley student, Alex Tung, was showered in scholarship gifts, recognitions, and praise until the night came to a close.

At the end of the ceremony, Valerie Kwee, who had already been given a scholarship for science, was called on stage once more to be declared as the school’s valedictorian. The designation had been a close call with fellow student and friend Alex Tung, and although Kwee was excited to have received the honor, she remains humble about the title.

When asked if she felt relieved to have received the honor, Kwee said “To me, education is a process and it doesn’t just end once you receive a title. I guess you can say being a valedictorian is more exciting than it is relieving.”

Kwee will be attending Harvey Mudd College this fall to study biomedical engineering.

With the awards they have received, and the caring support they have received by peers and fellow friends, ERHS students have nothing less than a bright future ahead of them thanks to the dedicated effort they have put in place for the past four years of high school.