Oceanside CA— The Oceanside Chamber is excited to host its third Rising Star student recognition program breakfast from 7:45-9 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 18 at the El Camino Country Club, 3202 Vista Way, Oceanside.
The Rising Star program is hosted by the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce to recognize high school seniors at our city’s high schools who have overcome significant challenges in their life, but who have managed to keep, or get back on track with their education.
Each school principal collaborates with his or her staff to nominate one high school senior per month. The students must be college or vocational school-bound and they should emulate the program’s mission statement: “Convening the business and education community to honor Oceanside seniors for rising above adversity by demonstrating character, integrity, school and community engagement that make our city shine like a star.”
Honorees are then eligible to apply for higher education scholarships that will be awarded at the end of the school year. While scholarships may be awarded for a wide variety of fields of study, the Chamber and its Workforce Development Task Force will be asked to keep in mind the emerging industries in the region including technology, biotech/life sciences, advanced manufacturing, and hospitality.
During the event, the school principals and the student’s parents and mentoring teachers will share what sets this student apart from other students and provide examples of their character, integrity, passion, focus and perseverance that has made them such a Rising Star on their campus and in our community.

January’s honorees are

• Zitlali Valverde Gomez – Surfside Educational Academy
• Daniel Cruz – Oceanside High School
• Marlen Benites Venegas – El Camino High School
• Johnny Dolores – Pacific View Charter School

Scott Ashton, the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce’s CEO, said they are hosting the Rising Star program as part of its larger workforce development initiative.
“The primary objectives are student recognition, scholarships for higher education and building of relationships between the business community and K-12 educational system. We are focused on engaging with our educational partners to ensure a strong workforce pipeline for Oceanside businesses,” Ashton said. “In addition, we would like to thank Genentech for their generous $20,000 scholarship sponsorship which will help more of our Rising Stars to reach the stars!”
Rising Star events are open to all community members who want to show their support for our students. Tickets are $25 for Chamber members and $40 for prospective members. Register for the event here. Donate to the scholarship fund here.
The Chamber wishes to thank SDG&E for being an event sponsor and Tri-City Medical Center and Genentech for being presenting sponsors.