WHS 2013 Hope of America

Washington High School’s Success by Choice program celebrated the recognition of two students who were recognized on May 22 by the Kiwanis International as they were chosen recipients of the Hope of America Award 2013. Students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership qualities and good character are recognized with this award. Recipients are selected based on their capacity for leadership and self-discipline, their ethical and moral character, their academic achievements, and on demonstration of leadership qualities combined with devotion to lifelong learning, according to the Kiwanis International official website. This year, Jessica Hildreth and Eddi Hernandez were Washington High School’s (WHS) chosen students. Jessica, 16, has been involved with WHS’s Success by Choice program for the last year, shared her mother, Paula. In addition to her participation in the program and her schooling, Jessica also volunteers her services regularly at the Norton Younglove Center, shared Paula. “One day she went with my grandma, and ever since then she’s loved it,” said Paula. “She volunteers with the children and the elderly, passing out lunches. She’s always one of the first people to put her hand up and help.” Her eagerness to help has earned her a reputation for leadership that has led to her recognition. “Jessica has been a model of success,” said Nina Torres, a Career Guidance Technician at WHS and the Success by Choice program advisor. “Jessica has learned the importance of being involved in her community, and she has dedicated herself to strengthening her character and leadership skills. She has been chosen for this award because she has demonstrated what it means to be a true leader. She goes out of her way to go above and beyond what is expected of her. She takes the initiative to take ownership of her education both now and for the future. I am certain that she will succeed at anything she puts her mind to,” Torres went on. “Jessica has a dedication to learning new skills and her courageous personality will take her places that others will only wish to go.” “I was really proud of her,” her mother said of Jessica’s recognition. “I was not shocked, because she’s a very outgoing girl and she loves to help. She’s just an amazing girl. She is everything to me.” Alongside Hildreth was Grand Terrace High School (GTHS) and former WHS student Eddi Hernandez, who is preparing to enter his senior year of high school at GTHS in the fall and has been a member of Success by Choice since his sophomore year at WHS. After returning to GTHS last school year, Hernandez excelled in athletic activities and has also continued to demonstrate his leadership and academic abilities. For Eddi, who plays on the GTHS varsity football team, the Success by Choice program made a significant change in his life. “I think [Success by Choice] has helped me a lot. I wasn’t really involved in school until Ms. Nina helped me out. I wouldn’t have gotten this far if it wasn’t for her, and I wouldn’t have known the requirements to get into college because I didn’t really talk to my counselors. Getting interested in education makes you a better person,” he said. When he found out he won the Hope of America award, he said, “It made me feel good, because I’ve really stepped up in school. [Success by Choice] changed me into a whole different person, and I’m very happy that I got the award.” “Eddi is a model member of what Success by Choice is meant to accomplish,” said Torres. “He has discovered the importance of self-discipline, ethical and moral character and academic competency.” Eddi’s goals include graduating from GTHS and attending a four-year university, where he plans to study law. Torres shared that this year he was invited to attend a Law and Trial Conference with the Lead America Program from Stanford Law School as a result of his academic accomplishments. “I know that with his continued determination and dedication, he will succeed in meeting his goals,” said Torres. The students were also named by the Success by Choice program as the Leader of the Year 2013, for their accomplishments both academic and personal.