From The Superintendent: Student Voice on the Board (original) (raw)

Superintendent's Weekly Message

A Student Voice on the Board of Trustees

Dear Hollister High School parents, students, staff an community:

The Student Representative to the San Benito High School District Board of Trustees provides a unique and valuable perspective -- that of a current high school student -- to the governing body of the district. This year, Hollister High School junior Olivia Picha serves in that role. She said her job is “to speak on behalf of the students and my community around campus.” And she is doing just that. Her role is designed to enable the student body to have input, feedback and provide context from the student perspective on topics that impact the entire student body.

Providing Perspective

Olivia joins the five elected members at Board meetings every second and fourth Tuesday of the month, periodically providing a report about student activities, athletics and other campus programs.

“Having a student be a part of the Board helps with giving direct insight from the reality of the high school experience,” she said. “To have a student be part (of the elected body) also can help the Board make decisions that are better aligned with the needs and priorities of the students.” Olivia said she applied for the Student Representative to the Board position because she wanted to become “more involved, not just with school, but with my community. I wanted to be a part of change for the people around me and to help build my confidence and responsibility for my life ahead.”

A Legacy of Involvement

Board of Trustees President Miguel Sahagun said he is “proud of the tradition and standard that the District established and continues to grow in regard to student representation on the Board of Trustees. In my time on the Board, I’ve been impressed with all of the elected student representatives. Olivia Picha continues that legacy and if her first Board report is any indication, she will leave some tough shoes to fill when her term is up.”

A Springboard To Success

Recent student representatives have gone on to pursue higher education opportunities after graduation, including Emma Dorsey (2017-18) who graduated from the University of Oregon; Faith Fernandez (18-19), who went to Stanford after her time at HHS; Luis Espinoza (19-20), who attends Sacramento State University; U.C. Berkeley student Heidi Andrade (20-21); Katie Moorer (21-22), who attends James Madison University; Piper Pierson (22-23), a student at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo; and last year’s Board rep Layla Borges, who is a Hollister High School senior this year.

All of these students have provided me and the Board of Trustees with valuable insight and perspective as we work to provide the best learning environment for our students.

Student Voice Matters

Like her predecessors on the Board, Olivia is a well-rounded and involved student, having played field hockey and participated in track and field. She previously has played soccer, flag football, basketball and gymnastics “because I love to be a part of a team,” she said.

During her brief time so far as the Student Representative to the Board, Olivia said she has “learned a lot more about accountability, time management, and definitely having confidence in myself because I want to make sure I do the best I can in my position.”

She thanked her family and friends for supporting her in everything she pursues. On behalf of the Board, we thank Olivia for stepping up to represent her nearly 3,400 peers as the embodiment of the District's belief that student voice matters. She is an example that every day is a great day to be a Baler!

Sincerely,

San Benito High School District Superintendent Dr. Shawn Tennenbaum

Striving, Thriving, Shining Bright