Meet Our 2024-25 Student Board Reps: Leadership In Action

Each year, our student board representatives bring their unique perspectives, leadership and passion to the Richfield school board, ensuring that student voices are heard at the highest levels. This year, Vanessa Rosas Miguel, Gerardo Castañeda Lopez and Tania Brackenridge are representing their peers, advocating for meaningful changes and learning valuable lessons along the way. 

All three of our student board reps have demonstrated the impact students can have on shaping their school community. Their dedication, insights and advocacy serve as an inspiration for others to step up, get involved and make a difference. Whether through formal leadership positions or simply by using their voices, every student has the power to contribute to positive change.

Our student reps shared with us the issues they are passionate about, what they have learned as school board representatives and their perspectives on education and the challenges that schools face. You can read their responses below. (These responses have been lightly edited.)

Vanessa Rosas Miguel

What is one issue or topic you feel particularly passionate about representing on behalf of students?
One issue I am passionate about representing on behalf of students is ensuring better access to resources that enhance their education. This could include revising graduation requirements, improving access to graduation status information, or adding classes that expand their knowledge on important topics.

What is something you’ve learned about leadership through this experience that you didn’t expect? 
One unexpected lesson I’ve learned about leadership through the school board is the importance of negotiation. Decision-making requires understanding different perspectives and finding a balance that satisfies everyone. Every idea comes with pros and cons, but I believe true leadership is reflected in our ability to adapt, compromise and stand by our decisions.

How has serving on the school board shaped your perspective on education and the challenges schools face?  
Serving on the school board has shown me that education is never perfect and that the needs of schools are constantly changing due to various factors. The challenges schools face have also taught me that there is always room for improvement. Effectively communicating these needs with students, parents and staff is key to building a better school.

If you could encourage more students to engage in school leadership, what would you say to them?
I encourage students to get involved in school leadership because students are the heart of what makes a school run. If you're a student at Richfield High School, find something you're passionate about and dive in with confidence. You never know who you might inspire along the way.

Gerardo Castañeda Lopez

What is one issue or topic you feel particularly passionate about representing on behalf of students?
The issue I feel very passionate about is securing the welcoming and comforting environment our school has to offer. I've seen that when these are missing, students aren't able to fully express themselves or achieve their potential. I've also seen that when this is accomplished, students engage more and overall have a better experience in school.

What is something you’ve learned about leadership through this experience that you didn’t expect? 
One of the things I didn't expect to learn is how important it is to listen. As a student representative, I've realized that leadership isn't only about being a strong decision-maker, but also about understanding the perspectives of students and making sure their voices get heard.

How has serving on the school board shaped your perspective on education and the challenges schools face?  
This position has opened my eyes to the complexities of school policy and how much effort and thought is put into every single aspect of school. From the presentations from guests, I've seen the challenges and limitations the district faces, but every time there are groups of people devoted to fixing them. Being a student representative showed me how many people there are working every day to ensure the success of our students.

If you could encourage more students to engage in school leadership, what would you say to them?
To use their voice. While there are leadership positions that I highly encourage anyone to participate in, being a leader starts in your daily life, it starts when you speak up, and when you become the type of person you want to see in your school. So become someone who others can look to for how to make RHS a better school.

Is there anything else you’d like to share? 
For those who are interested in leadership positions at RHS but are scared of being taken seriously, I would say that it isn't a problem. While in this position, every person has taken my concerns and opinions seriously and has found resolutions to cover what I shared. 

Tania Brackenridge

What is one issue or topic you feel particularly passionate about representing on behalf of students?
One topic that makes me feel passionate about representing on behalf of my peers is a reflection of students feeling as though their opinions and voices have a lesser value. The issue is that students would like to have a voice in what they learn, what sports/activities are available, etc. Students like to feel a sense of belonging and community, this is the basis of many of our relationships and interests. Students like to feel like they have an environment in which they can express themselves.

What is something you’ve learned about leadership through this experience that you didn’t expect? 
Something I’ve learned about leadership through this experience that I didn’t expect was the amount of compromise and strategic coordination it takes to make change. In addition, it further deepened my understanding of all changes having an effect and what that effect has on the next course of action.

How has serving on the school board shaped your perspective on education and the challenges schools face? 
Serving on the school board has reshaped my perspective on education and the school's challenges. I am now more aware of the importance of classroom dynamics, community, and communication. I now have a better understanding of the changes implemented in education year-by-year to meet the needs of the students. I now understand that the amount of dedication and planning used in education is often a labor of love and fueled by the desire to see each student succeed.

 If you could encourage more students to engage in school leadership, what would you say to them?
If I could encourage more students to engage in school leadership, I would tell them to not be afraid of rejection. Often students feel this sense of imposter syndrome or inadequacy when put into leadership positions. Anyone can be a leader, they just have to be brave enough to give it a try and persistent enough to find the opportunity.