SMHS students participated in a civic engagement event on Tuesday, September 24th, hosted by the League of Women Voters of North Santa Barbara County, the NAACP, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Santa Maria Times.
The non-partisan community forum featured facilitated questions for five District 1 and District 2 candidates who are running for the Santa Maria City Council. The event also gave the audience a chance to ask questions.
“SMHS was the only school in the district represented, and our students were not only the youngest in the audience but also the only students in attendance from the entire district (SMJUHSD),’’ said Saint English Teacher Julieta Delgadillo. “I am so proud of those who showed up, as they represented our school exceptionally well. It was a truly inspiring moment to see their engagement in discussions surrounding speech, debate, and local politics. I extended this opportunity to the entire English department and specifically to the ERWC 11 PLC, given our focus on rhetorical appeals in the curriculum. I am hopeful that even more students will attend the next event on Friday, October 4th, where Measure J will be a central topic in the mayoral candidates’ debate.”
Additionally, two candidates with ties to our local schools, Maria Salguero and Benjamin Ortiz, both graduates of PVHS, are running for District 1 and District 2, respectively. Students witnessed firsthand what a college degree can do for you—Maria Salguero is an immigration lawyer, and Benjamin Ortiz is an engineer.
“These examples provided students with a powerful, real-life demonstration of the opportunities that higher education can offer,’’ Ms. Delgadillo added. “It valuable. It was an amazing experience for our students to witness and participate in, and I’m incredibly proud of their efforts.’’
The League neither supports nor opposes political parties or candidates.
