VISTA — The Vista Chamber of Commerce honored 34 local students last week as part of the 2025 Rising Star Program, giving out an all-time high in scholarship dollars with $61,000 in awards.
The Rising Star Program recognizes high school seniors from across Vista who have “overcome challenges, demonstrated exceptional character, and made a positive impact on their schools and community,” according to the chamber.
The chamber honors Rising Stars of the Month throughout the year, culminating in the Rising Stars of the Year event. This year’s event was held on May 9 at the Morris B. Vance Community Room at Vista City Hall.
Scholarships are awarded to help students pursue their post-secondary goals, whether that be college, trade school, vocational training or other opportunities. Funds are donated by the City of Vista, local businesses, organizations and individual donors.
“Scholarships say that we are all investing in you and your future. We support you, we believe in you and we love you! When you’re done with school, come back to Vista to share your talents with us,” Vista Chamber CEO Rachel Beld said at the May 9 ceremony.
Rising Star awardees are selected by school staff at each of the local high schools. The following awardees were each given a $4,000 scholarship:
- Christopher Elana – Alta Vista High School
- Nahshon Strickland – Guajome Park Academy
- Moises Sanchez – Major General Murray
- Joshua Amador – Mission Vista High School
- Daniel Gonzalez – Rancho Buena Vista High School
- Angela Flores Guzman – North County Trade Tech
- Nayleen Griffith – Vista High School –
- Gabriela Garcia Benitez – Vista Visions Academy
The Chamber also gave Awards of Merit at $1,000 each to the following students at local schools:
- Guajome Park Academy — Ellie Dobson, Madeline Farnam, Samantha Morden, Stephanie Morden, and Shane Gartland
- Major General Murray — Gael Garcia and Rosa Garcia
- Mission Vista High School — Dylan Torres, Lucas Goldstein, Malik Daoud and Minami Jones
- North County Trade Tech — Owen “Rain” Brisby
- Rancho Buena Vista High — Alexis Lew, Kaitlyn Ma, Maite Cruz, Sara Basso
- Vista High School — Dailie Stevens, Diego Martinez, Grace Grainger, Leslie Chacon, Taylor Romney, Thomas Haure and Sadie O’Neill
The Chamber also awarded the $2,000 Nikolas Ljubic Scholarship to Vincent Downing of North County Trade Tech and Savannah Lopez of Rancho Buena Vista High School.
Lastly, Allegra Martin of Mission Vista High School received the $2,000 Distinguished Female Student of the Year award sponsored by the Vista PEO Chapter.
For more information about the Rising Star Program, visit vistachamber.org/home/risingstar
