Lockheed Federal Credit Union (LFCU) announced that William S. Hart High senior Joonyoung Hwang, Valencia High School senior Amber Gaines and Canyon High senior Phil Bennett are the recipients of its Student of the Month Award.

They have been selected because of overall performance, including academic accomplishments, extra curricular activities and leadership abilities.

"Students from the William S. Hart School District have exhibited outstanding achievements," said James Davis, director of sales, Division II, for LFCU. "We are very proud to honor each of these students with our Student of the Month Award. These individuals show amazing potential in a variety of areas. To recognize them is a privilege, and we wish them continued success."

Student of the Month - May
Hwang has a 4.22 GPA, which places him in the top 6 percent of his senior class at Hart High. He has continued to successfully challenge honor and advanced placement courses during the last four years. His past achievements include recognition by College Board as an AP Scholar with Distinction because of his high advanced-placement scores.

Although academics are a priority for Hwang, he has been active in Hart High's Key Club during his high school career, helping with numerous community activities. Hwang is serving as the club's secretary.

In the last two years, Hwang, 17, has been active in one of Hart High's newest clubs, the Anime Club. Last year, he served as the club president, using his artistic talent to guide other students.

This year, he is serving as vice president of the school's Speech and Debate Club, and enjoys organizing and winning many competitions. He also continues to volunteer at the local Boys & Girls Club, tutoring children at the club's learning center.

"Joonyoung (Hwang) is one of our best and brightest," Counselor Kathy Kniest said. "He is planning on majoring in aerospace engineering in college. I believe he is definitely influenced by his family, since his father is an electrical engineer and his sister is currently majoring in chemical engineering at Cornell University."

During the summer months, Hwang works as an assistant to the director of the athletics program at the Marlborough Summer School in Los Angeles, planning the activity calendar and supervising counselors and coordinators. Hwang enjoys solving math and technical problems and writing his own computer programs.

Student of the Month - April
Valencia High School's Gaines has been on the honor roll during the last four years. She is also a member of the National Honor Society, and the California Scholarship Federation.

Her involvement also includes cheerleading, Hip Hop and Key clubs. She has served in student government, as sophomore and junior class president, and Associated Student Body (ASB) president.

"Amber (Gaines) has been the heart and soul of Valencia (High School) ASB for the past four years," Counselor Jeff Albert said. "Her dedication to our high school is unrivaled. And, Amber's hard work has helped Valencia High be the best school in Santa Clarita Valley."

Gaines has also taken time out to help with homecoming, special education proms, Let Me Sail Foundation, Backpacks for Education, and Viking Nation. To her credit, Gaines was selected as Hometown Hero and voted Most Valuable ASB member.

In her spare time, Gaines works at Starbucks. She plans to attend California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo in the fall.

Student of the Month - March
Bennett, 17, is one of Canyon High's top performers. He has had an impact on student government, acting in 2007-08 as the Associated Student Body president, as well as past junior and sophomore class president.

"Phil (Bennett) is our current Associated Student Body president, and is a varsity swimmer," Principal Bob Messina said. "He makes every effort to involve as many students on our campus in all planned activities."

Bennett's achievements extend well beyond his participation in student government. He has attended California Association of Directors of Activities Leadership Camp and participated in Breaking Down the Walls. And, he's been involved with the school's Spanish Club, and volunteers with Safe Rides.

The Student of the Month program recognizes high school students from the William S. Hart district who demonstrates strong academic achievement, leadership traits and participates in extra curricular or community related activities.

Selected students receive a cash award of $250 and recognition in district publications. LFCU partnered with the William S. Hart district to launch the Student of the Month program in 2005.

During the academic year, the Student of the Month program recognizes one high school student each month.

School administrators or faculty nominate students based on overall performance, including academic accomplishments, extra curricular activities, leadership, and other notable experiences. The winning high school student receives a cash award of $250.

More than 9,000 Lockheed Federal Credit Union members are residents of the Santa Clarita Valley, where Lockheed Federal Credit Union (LFCU) operates three branches: Valencia Bouquet Canyon, Valencia Town Center and Stevenson Ranch.

In 2006 and 2007, Santa Clarita residents selected LFCU as the best credit union in the area, as reported by the Santa Clarita Valley Living Magazine.

LFCU recently received a five-star rating - the highest possible - from Bauer Financial, a source for unbiased, independent bank and credit union star ratings. The five-star rating validates that LFCU is safe, financially sound and operating well above its regulatory capital requirements.

Chartered in 1937, LFCU has more than 100,000 members. Membership is open to Southern California residents of more than 200 sponsor companies. Deposits in LFCU are federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration. LFCU is an equal housing lender. For more information about LFCU, visit www.lfcu.com.