CHS' Solomon Mata is Rotary Club Student of the Month for September

Citrus High School has named Solomon Mata the Rotary Club Student of the Month for September.

Mata arrived from Strathmore High School as a sophomore during a time when he was searching for identity and direction, said Citrus School officials.

“It was obvious after a short time that Solomon needed to first believe in himself and his potential, before either could be met,” school officials reported. “Slowly, Sol saw that with bits of advice, he was able to make better choices for his present and his future.”

After meeting personal goals, the staff at Citrus began to see positive changes, they said, including a smiling senior who always has an encouraging word for fellow students.

“Solomon has had some significant mentors in his corner from different schools within the Porterville Unified School District and he has taken advantage of their encouragement helping to shape him into the student and young man he wants to be.”

Mata lives with his grandmother, Fernanda Barrientos, for whom he has great love and respect, school officials said.