Congrats to our Rising Stars of the Year
In September 2025, the Carlsbad Chamber launched its seventh annual Rising Star of the Month program to honor local area high school seniors for demonstrating character, integrity, love of learning, involvement in school and community activities, and the ability to overcome challenging life circumstances without compromising their education. This year we honored nearly 40 high school seniors from seven different high schools here in Carlsbad.
The students who are honored each month are selected by the high schools themselves. At the end of the school year, those students who were honored throughout the year as Rising Stars of the Month are then eligible to apply for the Rising Star of the YEAR scholarship. This year, the Carlsbad Chamber was able to honor ten exceptional students. They were all recognized for making a difference in their home, school, and community. Each of the ten Rising Stars of the Year was acknowledged in May. Six of them received a $2,000 scholarship. The other four received $1,000 scholarships. A short description of each student is listed here to introduce them to you.
Rising Stars of the Year ($2,000):
Ava Jannuzzi, Carlsbad High School – Ava is a true overcomer. Ava struggled with multiple learning disabilities as a youngster. As she got older, she was labeled by her peers as “The Different Girl,” as she had to have tests read out loud to her in school. She has not only overcome her learning difficulties, but she is also now an AP and Honors student and will become the first person in her family to go to college. In addition to her academic achievements, she serves at her church and coaches La Cross for middle school students. In the fall, Ava will be an Army ROTC student at the University of Alabama, where she will study Nursing. She wants to be an Officer in the Army and a Labor and Delivery Nurse.
Cayman Ringdahl, La Costa Canyon High School – Cayman knew tragedy at a young age as she lost her father when she was only 5 years old. The death of her father fostered a deep empathy for others. Cayman truly wants the best for everyone she meets and interacts with. She was President of her National Honors Society, and active in Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Speech and Debate. In the fall, Cayman will attend Princeton University and study Interdisciplinary Studies and Religion. After college, Cayman intends to do missionary work.
Maximus Marchi, Sage Creek High School – Max Marchi is all about inclusion. He is an elite runner and a multi-year Captain of his cross-country team. His goal was always to make every runner feel included, even the new incoming freshmen. Additionally, Max participates with Ainsley’s Angels, where he pushes disabled athletes who can’t run, but who still want to participate in endurance events. Max is also an orchestra violinist and a passionate robotics club member. Max will attend Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in the fall and major in Mechanical Engineering.
Shara Chavez, Pacific Ridge School – Shara is an extraordinary first-generation Mexican American who has overcome personal challenges through resilience. Shara is trilingual (English, Spanish, and French) and is working on American Sign Language. She became the lead translator for her parents and family. When she was younger, she was diagnosed with a rare neurological condition that led to uncontrollable muscle twitching. Overcoming this condition has inspired Shara to become the first in her family to go to college. She will attend UC Davis in the fall and study Clinical Nutrition.
Nicholas Huggins, Army and Navy Academy – Nick is literally part of the family at Army and Navy Academy as his father has worked there for 20 years, his mom works there, and his older brother is a graduate. Nick was Senior Class President this year and Chair of the Honor Code Council that adjudicates violations of the honor code by cadets. His servant leadership and compassionate heart made him a perfect Honor Code Council Chair as he mentored younger cadets. Nick hopes to attend UCSD in the fall and study Biomedical Engineering.
Skylar Fojas, Carlsbad Village
Academy – Sky is the epitome of resilience and perseverance. Due to an extremely dysfunctional early childhood, Sky had to become a caregiver to her mom at the age of 8. Her strength of character and her work ethic guided her as she navigated these uncharted waters. Now, she will become the first girl in her family to attend college as she attends MiraCosta in the fall. She plans to transfer to a four-year university and study Medicine to become an Obstetrician.
Rising Stars of the Year ($1,000):
Brendan Lee, La Costa Canyon High School – Brendan is a well-rounded individual who participates in everything from Friday night football to theater productions to broadcasting Mav Nation to emceeing Sunday mass. Brendan is a twin and has been referred to as a “glue guy” who keeps everyone together. Brendan plans to continue his education at UCSD in Chemical Engineering.
Timothy Tyler, Sage Creek High School – Timmy has turned near tragedy into a platform for impact. In 9th grade, Timmy was riding his bike when the bike chain randomly broke. His accident was so severe that he nearly died as he suffered a massive concussion. Having that experience has led Timmy to turn bike safety into his Genius project at Sage Creek. He has spoken about bike safety to over 3,000 middle school students in Carlsbad. Timmy’s head trauma was so bad that his doctor told him that he could not play soccer anymore, which was his passion. That resulted in a lost DI soccer scholarship that had already been offered to him. Timmy has pivoted and will pursue a degree in business at CSU Monterey Bay.
Advaith Akella, Sage Creek High School – Ad is passionate about helping solve problems people have. While that might sound broad, Ad has already started his own business, called A17, and won a Congressional App Challenge…twice. Ad’s experience in taking the Sage Creek Robotics Team to the World Championships has turned him into a proficient coder. And he wants to use that gift to help others. He served as a tutor, was part of No Place for Hate, and was part of the Math Club. All of this after having moved here from Iowa just before high school started. Ad will be working on an Applied Mathematics degree at Cal. Berkley.
Levi Pascal, Carlsbad High School – Levi is a genuinely authentic human being. In addition to being an Eagle Scout and the Drum Major for the band, Levi started a Jewish Student Union club at Carlsbad High. He served as President of the Jewish Student Union and was part of No Place for Hate, as well as being CEO of Carlsbad High’s Virtual Enterprise program. Levi’s favorite question is, “How can I help?” Levi will be studying at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in the fall with hopes of becoming an Audio Technician.