On January 13, 2026, I was sworn in as the student board member of the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District Board of Education. Yet taking the oath and casting my first official vote marked the beginning of a responsibility far greater than I had imagined.

As the student board member, my job is to deliver the student board report at each monthly meeting of the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District Board of Education. Within each board report, I get to share important updates surrounding each individual high school and highlight student achievements, campus initiatives, and emerging concerns. I also get to contribute to discussions that shape district priorities across diverse school sites. Whether it is budget allocations or approval for various student wellness initiatives, I’ve had the opportunity to witness and be a part of how policies debated at the board table are implemented in classrooms, cafeterias, sports fields, and counseling offices. Being part of these conversations has given me a deeper appreciation for the complexity of educational leadership and the care that goes into decisions affecting thousands of PYLUSD families and staff members.

“I had no idea that there even was a student board member position in our school district,” shares Grecia Chavez (12). “Regardless, I am so excited for Simran to take on this position and represent Parkview and the students of PYLUSD well!”

In addition, as one of the first student board members from Parkview School, I feel a unique sense of purpose. Parkview is one of the few alternative learning platforms within the district, serving students whose educational paths may look different from the traditional model. As a board member, I am eager to ensure that these students (who are often underrepresented in districtwide conversations) have a seat at the table. Our stories, challenges, and successes deserve to inform district leadership just as much as those from comprehensive high schools. 

“As a student who was in Parkview and YLHS, I am looking forward to having a board member from both learning environments. Parkview is so different from a comprehensive school site, and I am excited to see it be represented!” explains Sophia Jones (12).

In learning to represent experiences I don’t personally share, my interpretation of leadership has become as much about translation as conviction. I’ve come to see my role as a way to bridge perspectives from various students. It has also deepened my understanding of civic engagement. Education policy is not abstract; it is very personal. It shapes graduation pathways, mental health resources, extracurricular opportunities, and access to support systems. So when it is time for me to cast my vote, I do so with the awareness that it impacts real students with real aspirations.

As I continue this journey, I remain committed to representing the full spectrum of student voices, not just those who are most visible or most similar to my own, because every one of our PYLUSD students’ voices matters.