By: Ayla Ozturk
The Visalia Unified School District [VUSD] Board of Education recently appointed Catalina Blair and Randy Villegas to fill empty seats on the Board. Seven board members represent different areas of Visalia.
Each high school’s Associated Student Body [ASB] President represents their school and students in the boardroom.Brielle Alverez represents Redwood High School, Preston Boswell represents El Diamante High School, Mireya Velasquez represents Golden West High School, and Gabby Campos represents Mount Whitney High School.
Redwood High School: Brielle Alverez
Brielle Alverez, class of 2022, represents the Redwood student body. After running for Class President as a freshman, she knew she wanted to serve as ASB President.
Alverez expresses, “I was able to grow and meet so many new people. And meeting the ASB President my freshman year, she made me really enjoy it [ASB].”
She recognizes that her role as both a student board member and ASB President is important. Alverez notes that she is one student representing many others, “My voice is being heard for them”.
Alverez says the student board members have been able to grow, form friendships, and get to know each other while doing the busy work. For her, interacting with the adult members is very different from interacting with her fellow students. She says, “We’re just not little kids anymore. We do want to still be heard and get our reasons through their [the Board’s] minds.”
Alvarez desires to work in the medical field in the future. She plans to continue using her voice among doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers.She recognizes the importance of learning but finds the development of the student voice to be a major aspect of attending school.
Alvarez feels that school is simply not complete without the use of the student voice. She states, “I mean, if we don’t have a voice, then we’re just here to learn.”
El Diamante High School: Preston Boswell
Preston Boswell, class of 2022, represents the El Diamante student body. He ran for ASB President because he loves leading others and positively benefiting the student body as a whole.
“ASB President puts me in a great position to express my passions.” Boswell states. He mentions that it feels great to serve his fellow students because “all students are important and deserve representation that reflects that.”
Boswell loves interacting with adult members because it prepares him for jobs, interviews, and gives him connections in the future.
Boswell says, “I believe it is crucial that our students have a voice in our district. When our students have a voice the board can make decisions that affect the students directly.”
Golden West High School: Mireya Velasquez
Mireya Velasquez, class of 2022, represents the Golden West student body. The influence of previous officers inspired her to continue the tradition of representing and contributing to the school.
Velasquez remarks, “I’ve always loved to be involved in school and I knew that my position and opinions would always be welcomed here at Golden West.” Being fully aware of the responsibilities she would take on, she was excited to share both her thoughts and the thoughts of her peers.
Velasquez states, “Though our schools share rivalries, it is nice to get to know them and see that we have a lot more similarities than differences.” She says it has been “very reassuring” to work with the Board, as they only want the best for the students of VUSD.
Knowing that there are many people working for the best interest of students has been very encouraging for Velasquez.
She has loved her experience as ASB President and a student board member and feels it would be a privilege to be a part of something “half as rewarding”. She says, “I believe hearing what students have to say is exactly what the school board was meant for.”
Mount Whitney High School: Gabby Campos
Gabby Campos, class of 2022, represents the Mount Whitney student body. She ran for ASB President after being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease.
Campos states, “Being president and having an important role helps me stay busy and not feel like my disease is taking over my life.”
Interacting with her fellow members has been one of the best things that have come from the experience. “Everyone is super nice and welcoming to one another” Campos expresses.
When it comes to interacting with the adults on the Board, Campos can “feel nervous”. She adds, “Especially when I make mistakes when reading or when having to vote on important issues, but I feel safe knowing it’s a judge-free area.”
While not planning to work as a part of a Board, “[I would] consider bringing better opportunities and ideas to the community with my future plans.” Campos says.
Like her fellow student board members, Campos highly values the student voice. She expresses, “If you have ideas or opinions on how to make our campuses and community stronger you should definitely voice them.”
Ayla Ozturk
Ayla Ozturk, class of 2024, is a fourth-year journalism student passionate about leading the News section. She is dedicated to informing students and amplifying their voices through Government and Politics writing.
You can reach her at ayla.oz3769@vusd.us.
Tags: ASB, asb president, ayla ozturk, brielle alvarez, class of 2022, EDHS, el diamante, gabby campos, gigantea government and politics, Golden West, gopo, government and politics, gwhs, mireya velasquez, mount whitney, MWHS, preston boswell, redwood gigantea, redwood high school, redwood journalism, redwood rangers, rhs, RHS ASB, student board members, student government, student voices, the student voice, visalia ca, visalia unified school district, vusd, VUSD board, vusd board of education, vusd board of trustees, vusd high schools
