Wade Colburn, Briana Dominguez and Melissa Maultsby of Fallbrook High School and Christian Manzano of Ivy High School were honored for their individual accomplishments and named Students of the Month for December at the Fallbrook Community Student of the Month breakfast held December 3 at Fallbrook Golf Club. "Fallbrook high school district is blessed with great kids," said assistant superintendent Jim Yahr. "The four kids we are honoring today exemplify that."

Wade Colburn was selected for the Student of the Month honor after a recommendation submitted by agriculture department instructor Scott Duffin.

"[Wade] is a very giving and caring individual," said Duffin. "He has a tremendous work ethic and is a really good person. I am proud to be his teacher and he has made me a better advisor. It’s hard to keep up with him!"

Colburn was described as "motivated, an individual that goes the extra mile." Serving as president of the associated student body (ASB), Colburn has significant leadership responsibilities. ASB advisor Josh Way lauded Colburn and said, "You have to realize that as ASB president, Wade is responsible for every single student activity on campus. He is a very busy person." In addition, Colburn launched a successful community service project through which he collects backpacks for needy students and has covered activities at the high school as an intern for the Village News.

"My family has instilled a great work ethic in me and always encouraged me to take on new endeavors," said Colburn. "My future plans include attending a four-year university and I have aspirations to become either a doctor or engineer."

Briana Dominguez was recommended for the Student of the Month honor by teacher Mary Begley.

"[Briana] is a very quiet grace," said Begley. "She is the person who is forever thinking of others. She quietly tries to make other people’s lives better."

Dominguez is a Eucharistic minister at St. Peter’s Catholic Church and volunteers her help to younger members and in the soup kitchen. At the high school, she has been involved in cheerleading, rugby and the AVID program. Her goal is to attend a four-year university in San Diego, followed by an internship and job with a federal agency.

"I’m very appreciative of this honor," said Dominguez. "I feel that I’m here because of attending St. Peter’s Catholic School; it made me see what’s important and we did a lot of community service and giving back."

Melissa Maultsby was recommended for the Student of the Month honor by field hockey coach Kathy Waite.

"[Melissa] always pushes herself to improve," said Waite. "She has been a big part of our team’s success."

Maultsby not only played field hockey for Fallbrook High School, she was a national Advertisement

[ Chatton and Associates ] winner at the 2009 FFA agriculture convention. "She is the kind of student all teachers love to have," said retired teacher George Kreutz, adding how successful Maultsby has been with horticulture projects.

In addition, Maultsby has volunteered her time to REINS therapeutic horsemanship program, the San Diego Wild Animal Park, and Relay 4 Life, a fundraising effort for cancer research.

"It’s an honor for me to share this type of recognition with the three others (Colburn, Dominguez and Manzano)," said Maultsby. "I also want to say that I have so many great memories of my time with Mrs. Waite and that she has been an inspiration to me."

Christian Manzano was selected as Student of the Month by Ivy High School science and garden teacher Sheri Ryan.

"Christian is a man of few words," said Ryan. "He has been at Ivy for two years and he has been the top science, art and English student." In addition to being the winner of several awards, it was also noted that Manzano held the number one academic position in his class overall. Describing Manzano as a "fantastic" artist with a mature, polite and quiet demeanor, Ryan said he has worked hard so he can "go back and graduate with his class at Fallbrook High."

"I plan on returning to Fallbrook High in January," said Manzano. "I really appreciate everyone coming here this morning and for this honor." He added that he intends to pursue a future in art.

Of the outstanding qualities possessed by all of the students being honored at the breakfast, Waite said, "Only in Fallbrook can you feel this good."

Family members, friends, and members of the business and service sector, as well a representative from 66th District Assemblyman Kevin Jeffries, attended the prestigious event and provided certificates of achievement and gifts to the students honored.

American Legion Post 365, represented by Frank Larkin and Karl Fekete, presented each of the four students with special keepsake medals depicting the Lamp of Knowledge.

Now in its thirteenth year, the Fallbrook Community Student of the Month program has honored 413 outstanding high school students.

The Fallbrook Community Student of the Month program is organized by a committee of the same name and is funded by generous local businesses and organizations, including the Angel Society, Bonsall Woman’s Club, Coldwell Banker Landmark Group, Fallbrook AAUW, Fallbrook High PTSA, Fallbrook Republican Women Federated, Fallbrook Village Rotary, Fallbrook Woman’s Club, Dr. Daniel Flores, Garret Group, Dr. Richard Goble, Kiwanis Club of Fallbrook, Major Market, North County Orthodontics – Dr. Michael Allen, Rally for Children, Soroptimist International of Fallbrook, American Legion Post 365, Pacific Western Bank, Fallbrook Golf Club & Hukilau, Fallbrook Printing, and the Fallbrook/Bonsall Village News.