Two new USD #116 Board of Education Student Ambassadors were seated at the Aug. 20 Board of Education meeting. Senior Citlali Cortes-Alvarez and junior Valentina Gonzalez-Ahuerma will serve until June 2025.
Cortes-Alvarez is no stranger to leadership roles, having served as both the Student Council Vice-President and the Sophomore Class Vice-President during her high school career. She is also involved in several sports, marching band and has served her community through Habitat for Humanity. “From a young age I’ve always wanted to be a leader in my community,” Cortes-Alvarez said. “This is a chance to grow my leadership skills and make it (UHS) a better school.”
Gonzalez-Ahuerma is involved with journalism and yearbook at UHS, and is team captain of the varsity volleyball team. She is also involved in various activities and events at the high school, which is what prompted her interest in the student ambassador role. “I want to be the voice of the students so everyone can enjoy their high school experience,” Gonzalez-Ahurma said.
Both student ambassadors were selected from a pool of applicants. Students had to apply and go through an interview process.
The Student Ambassador Program started as part of the Board of Education’s effort to engage and be responsive to all District stakeholders; this includes learning about opinions, issues and concerns related to student experiences in District schools.
The student ambassadors will be responsible for the following:
- Attending all regular meetings of the Board of Education
- Meeting with a variety of students and student groups in order to gain a broad understanding of student interests, concerns, and needs.
- Share information received from the Board of Education meetings with the student body.
- Representing all students.
- Communicating student viewpoints on issues before the Board
- Answering Board questions and concerns from a student perspective.
- Reviewing the Board meeting packet and student-generated discussion items with their Principal prior to each Board meeting.
While the Student Ambassadors will attend Board meetings, they do not have voting privileges and may not participate in closed executive sessions of the Board.