In the Dr. Paul Priesz Stadium at Valencia High School, hundreds of family members and friends watched graduating seniors Monday, May 19, get the recognition they deserve.

After four years of hard work, Valencia High seniors were proud to receive a number of awards ranging from academic achievements, to athletics, to overall performance.

Senior Amber Gaines, 17, accepted the Student of the Month award for May from Lockheed Federal Credit Union (LFCU). Counselor Jeff Albert nominated her because of her commitment to academics, leadership in the community and dedication to student government during her time at Valencia High.

At the event, LFCU representative, James Davis, director of sales for Division II, spoke about the top students and delivered the award to Gaines.

"It's a privilege to recognize Amber (Gaines), among so many talented students at Valencia High," Davis said. "We are truly proud to sponsor this award, and with that, display the outstanding efforts of William S. Hart School District programs."

LFCU's Student of the Month program recognizes high school students from the Hart District who demonstrate strong academic achievement, exhibit leadership traits and participate in extra-curricular or community-related activities.

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 students each receive a cash award of $250.

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

More than 9,000 LFCU members are residents of the Santa Clarita Valley, where 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.