Students host forum for school board candidates
ASB President Olivia Wright at the lectern (left) and candidates from left to right: Chris Arend, Peter Byrne, Sondra Williams, Jim Cogan, Adelita Hiteshew, and Frank Triggs.
Six candidates appeared before an audience of almost 200 students
– Paso Robles High School recently held a student-led forum for candidates vying for positions on their district’s school board.
The event, held in the school’s performing arts center, featured the appearance of six of the candidates before an audience of almost 200 students. This is the first candidate forum to be held before an audience entirely composed of students in the county in recent memory.
The students in attendance were quietly engaged and focused on the responses to questions submitted by classmates beforehand. The questions varied from concerns about the possibility of an open campus, the right to free education, and possible strategies to address the changing culture on the campus.
Primary credit goes to Associated Student Body President and forum moderator Olivia Wright, and student timer Cameron Clayton, for their poise and professionalism. Both had attended an earlier forum, conducted by the League of Women Voters, to prepare for their roles.
Additional thanks are due to the candidates who treated their young audience with obvious respect. A final nod of appreciation goes to student activities director Jennifer Bedrosian, and school principal, Anthony Overton, for providing this valuable opportunity for their students to become lifelong voters and advocates for their own futures.
The League of Women Voters of San Luis Obispo County was pleased and proud to add their support for this student-centered candidates forum. Our hope is that this type of event becomes a tradition, during election season, on campuses throughout the county.
By Ed Cabrera, League of Women Voters, San Luis Obispo County
