Dulce Cebrera Gomez (left) and Kaelynn Pond with their parents, school administrators and Rotary Club of Forest Grove President Andrea Stewart. Photos by Blake Timm.

FOREST GROVE, Ore. (Oct. 31, 2025) — Dulce Cebrera Gomez, a senior at Forest Grove High School, and Kaelynn Pond, an eighth grader at Neil Armstrong Middle School, have been named the Rotary Club of Forest Grove’s Youth Citizens of the Month for October 2025.

Gomez and Pond, along with their families, were honored during the club’s meeting on October 29. Both youth received a certificate and a $50 gift card to Frye’s Action Athletics.

Gomez is involved in several activities at Forest Grove High School. She is one of the student leaders in Mariachi Tradicion, the school’s well-known Mariachi music group. She is also a member of the FGHS orchestra, is a leader in the summer Mariachi STEAM Camp, and serves as vice president of the school’s Associated Student Body.

Following high school, Gomez hopes to pursue a career in physical with a goal of providing healthcare for all.

“Dulce is someone who really values connection, kindness and growth,” said Forest Grove High School Athletic Director Doug Thompson. “She strives to cultivate a positive and welcoming community for all, no matter their race, religion or status. Through music, especially Mariachi, she has learned teamwork, discipline, and the importance on how culture can bring people together.”

Pond was recognized as someone who is not only self-aware, but is quick to be a source of energy for her classmates. She is involved in the NAMS performing arts program as a member of the school’s intermediate choir. She is also involved with Sources of Strength, a student group that promotes a positive school culture and spreads mental health awareness.

Counselor McKenzie Davenport said that Pond is the type of person who actively seeks out someone sitting alone or a new student to be a friendly face.

“Kaelynn is always seeking ways to learn more and be the best student and best person she can be,” Davenport said. “She is compassionate towards herself and others. She is honest about when she is struggling and uses that self-reflection to improve.”

A long-standing program with the Rotary Club of Forest Grove, the Youth Citizen of the Month program recognizes local eighth-graders and high school seniors who possess high standards of personal behavior and good citizenship, exemplify the ideals of Rotary, follow school rules and have excellent behavioral records.

The Rotary Youth Citizen of the Month is rotated between the area’s three local school districts: Forest Grove, Banks & Gaston.