The Student Trustee Academy returned for its third year this summer, continuing its mission to prepare high school students for leadership roles on local school boards and as advocates for their peers.
Over six sessions, students from across Santa Cruz County explored the inner workings of school boards and the important role student trustees play in shaping educational experiences. Participants gained insight into local education governance and developed key skills in leadership, public speaking, and policy.
The Academy was co-facilitated by Santa Cruz County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Faris Sabbah; Andres Ortiz, Student Leadership and Engagement Coordinator at the Santa Cruz County Office of Education; and former Pajaro Valley Unified School District student trustee Daniel Esqueda. Guest speakers brought expertise in education law, fiscal policy, and board governance.
The program will conclude with a public presentation at the Santa Cruz County Board of Education meeting on July 17, where students will share their learning and speak directly to board members. The community is encouraged to attend and hear from these emerging education leaders.
Session Topics
- Leadership Ethics
- The Role of Democracy in Education
- The Brown Act – Sarah Levitan Kaatz, Partner, Lozano Smith
- School Budgeting – Liann Reyes, Deputy Superintendent of Business Services, Santa Cruz COE
- Public Speaking – Bruce Van Allen, Area 2 Trustee, Santa Cruz County Board of Education
- Robert’s Rules of Order
- The Board’s Role in Personnel Decisions and Negotiations
- Student Trustee Handbook – Daniel Esqueda, former PVUSD Student Trustee
2025 Student Trustee Academy Cohort
- Adeline Bazeghi, Scotts Valley High
- Luke Bibl-Lambros, Soquel High
- Americo Castillo, Soquel High
- Elisaura Gonzalez-Vasquez, Watsonville High
- Zola Grau, Aptos High
- Ash Immoor, El Nido
- Lovela Jones, Santa Cruz High
- Mana Garcia, Diamond Technology Institute
- Melina Lopez, Watsonville High
- Nathanael Marcus, Soquel High
- Vicente Martinez, Pajaro Valley High
- Josephine McGinty, Delta High
- Amy Vasquez Ortiz, Watsonville High
- Aaliyah Rasul, Harbor High
- Leslie Ruiz Vega, Soquel High
- Reika Silva, Diamond Technology Institute
The Santa Cruz COE extends its appreciation and congratulations to each of these amazing student leaders!