TVUSD COMMUNITY CONNECTION
May 23, 2025
A senior’s journey through the TVHS Regenerative Agriculture Pathway, where leadership and sustainability take root.
When Amanda Reyes Balcorta first joined the Regenerative Agriculture Club at Temecula Valley High School as a freshman, she saw more than just a patch of dry hillside — she saw potential. When the Regenerative Agriculture CTE Pathway officially launched last year, Amanda was ready. Now, as a graduating senior and one of the first 11 students to complete the program, Amanda (known on campus as “Monarch Mandy”) leaves behind a legacy of leadership, environmental advocacy, and inspiration for the next generation of Golden Bears.
Amanda’s roots in sustainability run deep. “I’ve always grown up with a vegetable garden and fruit trees at home,” she says. “My parents taught me the connection to growing your own food and the impact it can have on you and the community when you are assured it is nutritious and chemical-free." That connection grew into a passion through the CTE program, where she helped transform an underutilized five-acre hillside into a thriving regenerative farm — a hands-on project that embodies the pathway’s mission: to teach students how to restore ecosystems, improve soil health, and produce nutritious food using environmentally responsible practices.
“Regenerative agriculture is a powerful solution to so many global issues — climate change, food insecurity, even public health,” Amanda explains. A pivotal moment for her was watching the documentary Common Ground in class, which clarified the deep ties between soil quality and human wellness.
Amanda’s dedication hasn’t gone unnoticed. She earned scholarships from Southwest Healthcare Auxiliary, Temecula Valley Family Physicians, and the Professional Women’s Roundtable. She also founded the Monarch Conservation Club and secured an Xerces Society grant to create a pollinator-friendly garden on campus. “It’s rewarding to know these spaces will continue to educate and benefit students for years to come,” she says.
In addition to speaking at the national Regenerative Nexus event, Amanda helped lead workshops, secure funding, and mentor fellow students. “Mrs. Manion, our CTE teacher, has played a key role in shaping my journey by helping me connect the dots between environmental sustainability and human health," Amanda shares. "Her passion and knowledge opened my eyes to the idea that improving our environment is a direct path to improving public health."
Through the Regenerative Agriculture pathway, Amanda not only developed her technical skills, like pest monitoring and soil testing, but also her resilience, communication, and leadership. She completed an internship at Wilson Creek Winery, applying classroom knowledge to real-world viticulture, and proving that regenerative practices aren’t just good for the earth; they make good business sense, too.
Amanda will attend UC San Diego this fall, majoring in Global Health with plans to become an integrative physician. Her goal? To connect soil health to community wellness and advocate for food systems that nourish both people and planet.
To younger students, Amanda offers this advice: if you love science, the outdoors, and making a difference, take a CTE class. The hands-on learning, the connections, the real-world impact — it’s something you won’t find anywhere else.
As Amanda prepares to leave TVHS, she says she’ll miss her friends and the mentorship of Mrs. Manion most of all. But her influence will continue to grow — in every seed planted on the hillside, every student inspired by her journey, and every step toward a more regenerative future.
🌱 About the TVHS Regenerative Agriculture CTE Pathway
The Regenerative Agriculture Career Technical Education (CTE) Pathway at Temecula Valley High School provides students with real-world experiences in regenerative practices, farming, soil restoration, and environmental stewardship. Students learn conservation techniques, work on student-led farming projects, and engage with local agriculture professionals through internships and fieldwork. The pathway prepares students for careers and college programs in agriculture, environmental science, health, and more — all while equipping them to make a positive impact on their community and planet.
Interested in joining the pathway or learning more? Visit the TVHS Regenerative Agriculture Pathway webpage or contact Mrs. Manion: mmanion@tvusd.us.
TVHS Biosustainability Greenhouse & Regenerative Farm Open House
🗓️ May 29, 2025
🕠 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Open to the public! Join us for tours, raffles, food, and fun!
Follow on Instagram for updates and more information
From an 8-bit beadcrafting workshop to a boardgames and beyond night — the library is welcoming all to participate.
TEMECULA, CA — Temecula's public library is launching a Summer Reading Adventure beginning this June with a lineup of events meant to engage all ages.
Located at 30600 Pauba Road, the Ronald H. Roberts Temecula Public Library invites the community to sign up here for the reading challenge and a chance to win prizes..
Weekly Wednesday performances begin at 10:30 a.m. and promise family-friendly entertainment throughout the month. On June 11, Kids Imagine Nation will bring music and dance to the stage. On June 18, Zany Zoe will dazzle with magical discoveries, and on June 25, Wild Wonders will introduce children to animals from “The Emerald Forest.” Free passes for each event will be distributed 30 minutes prior to start time on a first-come, first-served basis.
Teens in grades 7–12 can get creative during Level-Up Your Art: 8-Bit Beadcraft on Thursday, June 19, from 4:30 to 6 p.m., where they’ll make retro video game-inspired art using Perler beads. No registration is required.
History buffs and trivia lovers ages 16 and up are invited to test their knowledge at From Grapes to Greatness: Temecula Trivia on Thursday, June 12, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Registration opens May 29 and is limited to 40 guests.
Adults can enjoy a relaxed evening at Board Games & Beyond on Thursday, June 26, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., featuring a variety of games and complimentary snacks. Registration begins June 12 and is also capped at 40 attendees.
All programs are sponsored by the Friends of the Temecula Libraries. For registration and more details, visit this link or call 951-693-8900. Follow @TemeculaLibrary on social media for updates.
ENGLISH
INFINITE CAMPUS
Free Event for All TVUSD Parents & Guardians
TVUSD is thrilled to announce its very first Back to School Family Engagement Conference, a day packed with valuable information, inspiration, and connection!
This FREE event is exclusively for ALL TVUSD parents/guardians (registration required), and we can’t wait for you to be a part of it! You’ll have the chance to attend content-specific breakout sessions, where you can choose the topics that best match your family’s experience and needs within TVUSD.
Let us know!
As TVUSD begins planning for the 25/26 school year, we would appreciate it if you could take a moment to let us know if your child(ren) WILL NOT be returning for next school year. If your student(s) will be continuing their enrollment within any TVUSD school, there is no need to complete the questionnaire. We appreciate your time. The school sites will be reaching out to families with the formal withdrawal process.
👋🏻 Come learn and play in TK!
📣 Is your little one ready to take their first step into learning? Give your child the best start with TVUSD’s TK program.
➡️ TK is a wonderful way for young learners to build confidence, make friends, and develop essential skills that prepare them for Kindergarten and beyond. 🎒✨
➡️ Children who turn 4 by September 1, 2025 are eligible to attend! 🌟
📲 Enroll today for the 25-26 school year and watch them thrive! 📚🍎
CLICK LINK BELOW FOR CHS SCHEDULE
CLICK LINK BELOW FOR GOHS SCHEDULE
CLICK LINK BELOW FOR TVHS SCHEDULE
Temecula Valley Unified School District
Location: 31350 Rancho Vista Road, Temecula, CA, USA
Phone: (951)676-2661
