Citrus Heights 7th grader to receive 2024 ‘Spirit of San Juan Award’

By Sara Beth Williams–
Seventh grade student DaeChole Reed-Herbert from Lichen K-8 in Citrus Heights has been named an honoree in the annual Spirit of San Juan Awards.

Roxanne Stellmacher, principal at Lichen K-8, told The Sentinel that Reed-Herbert was nominated by her science and math teacher Sara Opeyany because she exhibited “exceptional leadership on the daily.”

Reed-Herbert, 13, said she moved to Citrus Heights from Oklahoma City to attend Lichen K-8 in sixth grade and was “a little nervous” at first. Since then, she’s been one of the founding members of the Students of Color Club on campus, has participated in the Student Senate as a Student Senator, and has begun a recycling program on campus.

“Her kindness, generosity, sense of humor, all of those pieces really helped her to quickly become part of the community here,” Stellmacher said.

San Juan Unified School District Communications Specialist Elyjah Wilbur said the Spirit of San Juan Awards program looks for three main criteria when selecting its honorees: individuals of exceptional character, individuals who build inclusive environments, and individuals who break down barriers. Wilbur said the selected honorees are those who go “above and beyond” in all three eligibility markers.

San Juan Unified School District will celebrate its 11th annual Spirit of San Juan Awards on May 9 at a ceremony at Rio Americano High School’s Center for the Arts.

Along with Reed-Herbert, other honorees for the 2024 Spirit of San Juan Award include Robert Anderson, a teacher at Mary Deterding Elementary School, Nancy Carter, a volunteer at Mission Avenue Open Elementary School, Julia Clauson, a student at Bella Vista High School, Ethan “E Train” Minton, a student at Winston Churchill Middle School, and Greta Scholtes, principal at Encina Preparatory High School.

Related: SJHS athletic director earns 2023 Spirit of San Juan Award – Citrus Heights Sentinel

Past honorees from Citrus Heights schools include San Juan High School’s athletic director, Freddie Bryant, two brothers from San Juan High School, and a student from Sylvan Middle School.

The Spirit of San Juan Awards ceremony will take place from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on May 9, beginning with a dessert reception outside at 5:30 p.m. Guests can RSVP on the district’s website.

Rio Americano High School is located at 4540 American River Drive, in Sacramento.