5 Students Cited as Unsung Heroes

Five local high school students were honored by the El Monte/South El Monte Coordinating Council at the Unsung Hero Youth Awards Luncheon Tuesday.

* Sonia Melendez, a senior at El Monte High School, volunteers 200 hours a year with traffic control, information booths at parades and festivals, and as camp counselor for elementary schoolchildren. She also is involved in her school’s Spanish Club and is a staff member of the school newspaper. She plans to attend Pasadena City College and USC.

* Gloria Michel, also a student at El Monte High, volunteers 200 hours a year at parades and festivals and as a camp counselor for elementary schoolchildren. She also is a member of the California Scholarship Federation, and the school volleyball and softball teams.

* Gilbert Torres, a student at Arroyo High School, is active in graffiti removal, programs to feed the homeless, and anti-smoking and alcohol programs.

* Kelly Read, also at Arroyo, works at the football and basketball snack bar, Red Cross Blood Drive, volunteers at convalescent homes, and has served as a counselor for the Outdoor Education Camp.

* Robert Yrigoyen Jr. of South El Monte is a student at St. Paul High School in Santa Fe Springs. He is an Eagle Scout, summer camp counselor and volunteer at the Los Angeles Soup Kitchen. He also organized a hunger march and led a recycling committee.

Each student was awarded a $100 savings bond.