Student Board Members
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Elevating student voices in San Diego County
The San Diego County Board of Education believes it is important to seek out and consider students' ideas, viewpoints, and reactions to their educational program. In order to provide student perspective and promote civic involvement, the county board may appoint a student board member from a candidate pool that includes students who attend a public school within the county.
More to Explore
- 2024-25 Application Process
- 2023-24 Student Board Members
- 2022-23 Student Board Members
- 2021-22 Student Board Members
- Role and Responsibilities of a Student Board Member
2024-25 Application Process
We look for five, dedicated and passionate sophomore or junior students to serve on the Board for two meetings beginning in spring of each year. The selected students will be presented to the board for official appointment at its April meeting.
The 2024-25 school year Student Board Member application window is now open. Please read the instructions below and then complete the application, which is due Feb. 1.
How to Apply
Students interested in applying to be a Student Board Member must complete an online application form or if unable to complete the application online, please email Matt Hayes.
The application must be completed in one sitting. Once you begin, you will not be able to save and return later.
Before beginning the application:
- Read the entire application first, then gather all of the information you will need.
- Have documents prepared to attach with your application. You are required to upload one letter of recommendation, and proof of enrollment including either a transcript, current class schedule, or letter from a counselor or administrator. Contact the person you would like to write your letter of recommendation early so they can complete it in time. You have the option to enclose supporting documents about yourself and your leadership experiences beginning when you were in 7th grade.
- Read the free response questions early. Draft them in a Word document or a Google Doc, then copy them into the application.
What’s My Board District?
Find your board district by going to the San Diego County Registrar of Voters website and entering your high school address. (Note: your board district will be listed as “Co Bo of Education," for example, 3rd Co Bo of Education).
Process for Student Board Member Appointments
The County Superintendent of Schools shall gather all timely and qualified student applications.
If the number of timely and qualified applications exceeds four for any one of the five trustee areas, the list of applicants will be narrowed down. The remaining student board member candidates will participate in an interview process.
After the interview process, one student board member and one alternate student board member will be selected to represent each trustee district.
The San Diego County Board of Education will vote on a motion to appoint the student board members and alternate student board members at their regularly scheduled meeting in April.
Qualifications
- The student must be a current sophomore or junior in a San Diego County public school.
- The student completes the application packet.
- The student commits to attending the two meetings for their board area.
Term of Office
Each student board member will serve for two consecutive board meetings. Student members will rotate in sequential order, based on board trustee area. The following schedule outlines the terms for each student board member:
- Area 1: May and June
- Area 2: August and September
- Area 3: October and November
- Area 4: January and February
- Area 5: March and April
2023-24 Student Board Members
Board District 1
Hadeel Jawad
San Diego High School
(Board Member)
- Aaron Price Fellow
- Intern at the Museum of Us
- Words Alive Volunteer of the Year
I feel very passionately about volunteering and have volunteered with Words Alive for two years now and was recently made their Volunteer of the Year.
Board District 2
Nicole Lasure
The O'Farrell Charter School
(Board Member)
- Member of the National Honors Society
- Secretary for Youth Advisory Board advocating for foster care and community resources
- Passionate about helping refugee children with tutoring
I strive to create a better learning environment for students and staff and give every student all possible opportunities to be and do the best that they can.
Board District 3
Isabella Ostmeyer
Helix High School
(Board Member)
- Varsity track and field
- Youth soccer coach and current employee of the LMSVSD ESS after-school program
- Member of Helix's Student Equity Advisory Board and VP of Educational Changemakers
I wholeheartedly believe that with the right hearts and minds working together, we can make the San Diego County community better and set up our future generations for success.
Board District 4
Otoniel Mendiola Calixto
Orange Glen High School
(Board Member)
- Simon Scholar
- Member of School Site Council
- Volunteer at local food pantry
I am dedicated to making the voices of students all around San Diego heard and I am excited to work along all board members to better our community in any way that we can.
Board District 5
Aaron Combs
Canyon Crest Academy
(Board Member)
- Previous School Site Council chair
- Captain of the Canyon Crest Academy Swim and Dive team
- Youth Ambassador for the San Diego Sister Cities
- Speaker at the US-Mexico Mayors Summit
As an individual with autism and ADHD and the founder of Students For Attention, a 501c(3) nonprofit, it is my privilege to serve District 5 students and to ensure that neurodivergent students are included in equity initiatives.
2022-23 Student Board Members
Board District 1
Eve Brogan
Mission Bay High School
(Board Member)
- On varsity lacrosse and sailing teams
- Started a counseling office revitalization project with peers
- Received the Duke of Edinburgh award.
I am interested in helping improve education in San Diego by promoting inclusive initiatives that help provide every student with a chance to be successful, both academically and socially.
Board District 2
Paulo Rivera
Eastlake High School
(Board Member)
- Cellist and a member of the San Diego Youth Symphony Youth Council
- A member of the Eastlake High robotics team
- Learning Farsi in the Startalk program at SDSU
I am committed to making our community better by creating opportunities for everyone through education.
Board District 3
Brayden Pape
Helix Charter High School
(Board Member)
- Founder and Chief of Operations with the PATH Interscholastic Leadership Team
- Parent Teacher Student Association class of 2024 representative
- Speech and Debate Leadership Team and Associate Student Body member
I believe that every student must be given an equal opportunity to experience success in school, regardless of their strengths and abilities. It is very much an equity issue.
Board District 4
Abigail Coca
San Marcos High School
(Board Member)
- Involved in the Raising Student Voices and Participation campaign
- Director of activities for the school drama department
- Member of the Superintendent Advisory Council
I am honored and excited to serve on the San Diego County Board of Education and represent the District 4 students, as well as provide insight on the board, focusing on the improvement of mental health education for faculty and students.
Board District 5
Alexandra Worms
Canyon Crest Academy
(Board Member)
- Has a passion for advocacy
- President of the school Black Student Union
- Member of the Associated Student Body, having served as class president
I hope to bring my zeal for equity and diligence to this position. I am extremely excited and honored to represent the students of District 5.
2021-22 Student Board Members
Board District 1
Soleil Yeager
San Diego High School
(Board Member)
- Aaron Price Fellow
- Member of the Youth Advisory Board for U.S. Safe Sport
I love challenging myself in unfamiliar ways and trying to give back to our community.
Board District 2
Life California
High Tech High Chula Vista
(Board Member)
- Co-teaches ethnic studies class at school
- Director of southern organizing in Generation Up’s San Diego Chapter
- March for Our Lives San Diego director of communications
I am deeply passionate about education and in being a strong advocate for our BIPOC youth learners.
Board District 3
Emiliano Benitez
Mount Miguel High School
(Board Member)
- Involved in Youth Ambassadors program at UCSD
- Leading member for ESC Club, which stands for Environmental Sustainability, Student Empowerment, and Collaboration
I plan to use my time on the board to push and support initiatives that help make education more equitable for all students, especially those with special needs.
Board District 4
Faith Baptista
River Valley Charter
(Board Member)
- Student leader in Foothills Christian Church youth ministry
My leadership training and experience is what ultimately encouraged me to apply for the position of student representative and I am honored and excited to be selected to serve.
Board District 5
Aadya Nayak
Westview High School
(Board Member)
- Member of the school mock trial team
My goal is for every student to feel safe, included, and represented within our county, by providing equitable access to programs and resources.
Role and Responsibilities of a Student Board Member
A student board member shall have the right to attend all board meetings except closed sessions.
All materials presented to board members, except those related to closed sessions, shall be presented to a student board member at the same time they are presented to voting board members.
A student board member shall be recognized at board meetings as a full member, shall be seated with other members of the board, and shall be allowed to participate in questioning presenters and discussing issues.
A student board member shall be allowed to cast preferential votes on all matters except those subject to closed session discussion. Preferential voting means a formal expression of opinion that is recorded in the minutes. The preferential vote of the student board member shall not be included in determining the vote required to carry any measure before the county board.
A student board member may make motions that may be acted upon by the county board, except on matters dealing with employer-employee relations pursuant to Government Code sections 3540-3549.3.