RivCo Charter School Seniors Honored In 2nd Annual Ceremony

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — The class of 2026 was honored this week at the 2nd Annual Riverside County Exceptional Scholar Awards hosted by the Riverside County Office of Education. The ceremony, held on Wednesday, included special acknowledgments for a merging leader who overcame self-doubt to become an Associated Student Body President, a young aviator who is about to earn a pilot’s license, and a 21-year-old former foster youth who returned to earn a diploma, all of whom were among the charter school graduates.

The Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Edwin Gomez, spoke about the event.

“Supporting all students is a critical part of our mission at the Riverside County Office of Education, and we are proud to recognize the top students from Riverside County’s charter schools as they pursue their dreams beyond high school,” Gomez said. “The 2026 Exceptional Scholars are outstanding examples of resilience, character, and the limitless potential of education to change the world.”

First launched in 2025, the Exceptional Scholar Awards program celebrates Riverside County charter students’ dedication and perseverance in achieving academic success. Each charter school selected one to three 12th-grade students as honorees (based on school enrollment).

Students were joined at the celebratory dinner event by more than 120 family members, educators, charter school leaders, and board members.

New for 2026 was a $1,000 scholarship for each recipient of the Barbara Hale Exceptional Scholar Award. This award recognizes one graduating senior from each participating charter school who has demonstrated exceptional academic achievement under extraordinary circumstances.

(* denotes 2026 Barbara Hale Exceptional Scholar Award honoree)

• Altus Schools Coachella Valley – Elman Giron
• Castillo*Audeo Valley Charter School – Delilah Robles*
• CBK Charter School – Reanna Ward*
• Excelsior Charter School – Jonathan Godinez, Jubilee Perez*
• Gateway College and Career Academy – Aaliyah Ayala-Moreno, Jazmin Ceja*
• JCS - Pine Hills – Roman Mancini*
• Leadership Military Academy – Craig Briscoe*
• Mission Vista Academy – Talah Shakhshir, Cheryl Tsz Sau Cheng
• NOVA Academy Early College High School – Julian Aguirre, Ayleen Angulo-Oceguera, Elijah Cruz
• Nuview Bridge Early College High School – Katelyn Graham*, Emma Kitayama
• Pivot Charter School – Malak Amer*
• River Springs Charter School – Leilani Launiu, Jesus Trejo*, Ilyannie Valmes Pérez
• San Jacinto Valley Academy – Diana Aguilar*, Hailee Tennant
• Santa Rosa Academy – Kayla Copeland*, Magdalena Lall