2016-17 Student and Educator of the Month

The Lakers are proud to announce the March 2017 Student and Educator of the Month winners presented by City of Hope! This month’s student winners are Penn Clay, Jennifer Miao, and Bella Murphree. The winning teachers are Ernesto Nodado II, William Jones, and Josh Eby. Each winner demonstrates an outstanding commitment to academia, athletics, and community outreach.

Penn Clay, an outstanding 5th grade student at Grand View Elementary. Penn excels in school, and is involved with student council, sports, and several clubs. On top of all of that, he finds time to volunteer and give back to his community in Manhattan Beach!

Jennifer Miao, an impressive 11th grade student at Mira Costa High School. Jennifer’s resume is full of achievements, as she is an aspiring biochemist with a deep interest in chemistry and biology. She also gives back by tutoring other students and being involved with many clubs.

Bella Murphree, a 12th grade honor-roll student at Newbury Park High School. Bella is on the dance team, and serves as a peer counselor at her school. She is an empathetic listener, who always puts other students’ needs ahead of her own. Her character and inner-strength are an inspiration to those around her.

Ernesto Nodado II, a talented science teacher at Mira Costa High School. He serves on multiple committees at his school, and is a mentor to new teachers. His love of learning is an inspiration to both the students and teachers around him.

William Jones, a teacher at LAUSD/USC Media Arts & Engineering Magnet School. Mr. Jones has been instrumental in starting the Boys to Men club at his school. The club guides and mentors young men and Mr. Jones has made a huge impact on these students’ lives.

Josh Eby, the principal at Newbury Park High School. Mr. Eby attends every extracurricular activity, organizes community outreach programs, and emphasizes the overall development of his students. During the recent loss of a teacher, Mr. Eby has led and comforted the school through the most difficult circumstances. He is a role model for students and staff alike.

Each Student and Educator of the Month winner was invited to the home game on March 28, 2016 vs. the Washington Wizards. They were honored during a halftime presentation where they received a plaque and a Lakers Student and Educator of the Month t-shirt. The nominations for the March Student and Educator of the Month were submitted by principals and teachers of each school based on exemplary teaching efforts, academic achievement or extracurricular activities.

The Lakers are proud to announce the February 2017 Student and Educator of the Month winners presented by City of Hope! This month’s student winners are Richard Chen, Alexa Hernandez, and Marissa Ruley. The winning teachers are Kafayat Tijani, Juan Calderon, and Kelley Wilcox. Each winner demonstrates an outstanding commitment to academia, athletics, and community outreach.

Richard Chen, a hardworking 3rd grade student at Durfee-Thompson Elementary. Richard loves to read and is known for always being willing to help those around him, especially the new students at his school.

Alexa Hernandez, a 5th grade student at Montague Charter Academy. Alexa serves as class president, and has a huge heart for her community in Pacoima. Alexa also dreams of one day becoming a Laker Girl!

Marissa Ruley, a motivated 8th grade student at Olive Vista Middle School. Marissa challenges herself in the classroom and especially in the community, where she is involved with the Humanitas learning academy.

Kafayat Tijani, an 8th grade teacher at Audubon Middle School. Ms. Tijani creates a fun and positive environment at school, and is known for going above and beyond to help her students reach their full potential.

Juan Calderon, a dedicated science teacher at Franklin High School. Mr. Calderon has strong connections with each of his students, and is known for encouraging them to see the big picture and to follow their dreams.

Kelley Wilcox, a math teacher at Culver City Middle School. Ms. Wilcox has been teaching for almost thirty years, and has been a mentor to students and teachers alike. Ms. Wilcox’s dedication is evident as she gets to school early and stays late every day.

Each Student and Educator of the Month winner was invited to the home game on February 14, 2017 vs. the Sacramento Kings. They were honored during a halftime presentation where they received a plaque and a Lakers Student and Educator of the Month t-shirt. The nominations for the February Student and Educator of the Month were submitted by principals and teachers of each school based on exemplary teaching efforts, academic achievement or extracurricular activities.

The Lakers are proud to announce the January 2017 Student and Educator of the Month winners presented by City of Hope! This month’s student winners are Goldie Wintner, Andrew Ward, and Jessica Moore. The winning teachers are Diane Torres, Harris Vincent Pratt, and Lucia Rico-Bleazard. Each winner demonstrates an outstanding commitment to academia, athletics, and community outreach.

Goldie Wintner, a bright and energetic 4th grade student at Hillel Hebrew Academy. Goldie works hard to stay at the top of her class and enjoys being active in the community by visiting nursing homes and bringing joy to the elderly patients that live there.

Andrew Ward, a hardworking 5th grade student at Farragut Elementary. Andrew loves basketball and is a member of Student Council, where he helps with canned food drives and Green 5, an environmental community project.

Jessica Moore, a 12th grade student at Rio Hondo Preparatory School. Jessica is an AP Scholar who is involved in athletics, drama, and band. She loves volunteering and mentoring younger students at the Kare Youth League program.

Diane Torres, a kind and selfless Special Education teacher at Durfee Elementary School. Ms. Torres plays a critical role in her students’ lives, and constantly goes above and beyond to ensure that the academic, physical, and emotional needs of her students are being met.

Harris Vincent Pratt, the principal at North Park High School. Mr. Pratt greets all the students with a handshake every morning, and creates a fun, positive environment for learning. Mr. Pratt is an inspiration to students and faculty, and is always working to make his school and community a better place.

Lucia Rico-Bleazard, a dedicated 3rd grade teacher at Elizabeth Learning Center. Ms. Rico-Bleazard motivates her students to challenge themselves in learning to their full capacity and goes above and beyond to meet the needs of her students.

Each Student and Educator of the Month winner was invited to the home game on January 17, 2017 vs. the Denver Nuggets. They were honored during a halftime presentation where they received a plaque and a Lakers Student and Educator of the Month t-shirt. The nominations for the January Student and Educator of the Month were submitted by principals and teachers of each school based on exemplary teaching efforts, academic achievement or extracurricular activities.

The Lakers are proud to announce the December 2016 Student and Educator of the Month winners presented by City of Hope! This month’s student winners are Briana Soriano, Alicia Frausto, and Joshua Martinez Villeda. The winning teachers are Paul Edgar, Don Henderson, and Regina Marquez-Martinez (not pictured). Each winner demonstrates an outstanding commitment to academia, athletics, and community outreach.

Briana Soriano, a 5th grade student at Montague Charter Academy. Briana is an excellent student, and always goes the extra mile to help her classmates. Briana hopes to cheer in college, and dreams of one day becoming a Laker Girl!

Alicia Frausto, a 6th grade honor roll student at Ramona Elementary School. Alicia is known to be a kind and caring student, and is a member of a peer conflict mediation group at school, called Peace Keepers.

Joshua Martinez Villeda, an 8th grade student at Marshall Middle School. Joshua is a straight-A student, who loves to read. He is very well-liked, and is always willing to help his classmates.

Paul Edgar, a 5th grade teacher at Starbase. Mr. Edgar runs the computer lab, where he teaches robotics, design, and programming. He inspires his students by bringing their designs to life every day.

Don Henderson, a talented Physical Education teacher at Durfee School. Mr. Henderson’s leadership is displayed both on and off the court, as he teaches his students about the importance of a healthy lifestyle.

Regina Marquez-Martinez, the principal at Franklin High School. Ms. Marquez-Martinez inspires her staff and students through her outstanding leadership and dedication to excellence. She was unable to make it to the presentation because she was hosting the Football team’s first championship game. Go Panthers!

Each Student and Educator of the Month winner was invited to the home game on December 9, 2016 vs. the Phoenix Suns. They were honored during a halftime presentation where they received a plaque and a Lakers Student and Educator of the Month t-shirt. The nominations for the December Student and Educator of the Month were submitted by principals and teachers of each school based on exemplary teaching efforts, academic achievement or extracurricular activities.

The Lakers are proud to announce the November 2016 Student and Educator of the Month winners presented by City of Hope! This month’s student winners are Brandon Falk, Melanie Cortes and Derick Campos. The winning teachers are Charlotte Hoffman, Teresa Lorenz and Chanel Chun. Each winner demonstrates an outstanding commitment to academia, athletics, and community outreach.

Brandon Falk, a responsible and well-liked 6th grade student at Longden Elementary School. His leadership skills are displayed both on and off the court, as he loves playing basketball and mentoring younger students at his school.

Melanie Cortes, an 8th grade student at Durfee School. Melanie is active in her school, church, and community. She serves as a leader among her peers and in several organizations and clubs.

Derick Campos, a hardworking 11th grade student at William and Carol Ouchi High School. Derick dedicates much of his time to academics, but he also loves basketball and hopes to eventually become an athletic coach or trainer.

Charlotte Hoffman, a dedicated math teacher at Gage Middle School. Ms. Hoffman is known for not only motivating and challenging her students, but also committing herself to supporting parents, teachers, and the community.

Teresa Lorenz, a special education teacher at Florence Elementary School. Mrs. Lorenz goes out of her way to meet the educational needs of children with disabilities and brings out the very best in each of her students.

Chanel Chun, a science teacher at Franklin High School. Ms. Chun inspires her students every day through her work in the classroom, on the basketball court, and in the community.

Each Student and Educator of the Month winner was invited to the home game on November 15, 2016 vs. the Brooklyn Nets. They were honored during a halftime presentation where they received a plaque and a Lakers Student and Educator of the Month t-shirt. The nominations for the November Student and Educator of the Month were submitted by principals and teachers of each school based on exemplary teaching efforts, academic achievement or extracurricular activities.