Central Valley’s Valeria Torres Aleman and Ceres High’s Alana Inahara will attend their first meeting as student representatives for the Ceres School Board tomorrow evening.
Student board representatives are elected positions voted on by the student body but do not have a vote other than advisory.
The two seniors found out in May they were chosen to serve as the student representatives to the Ceres School Board for the 2024-25 school year.
Earlier this month they met with Ceres Unified School District Superintendent Amy Peterman to become acquainted with their role. They also posed for pictures with their name plates during a tour of the board room.
“I’m looking forward to representing my school,” said Torres Aleman. “I always knew I wanted to do it as a senior. My sister was a board rep in 2019. It made me really interested.”
Inahara said she decided to join “because I wanted to be involved in everything around me, and learn more about the district and how it works. I’m looking forward to having a voice for my school. My responsibility is to be a leader.”
They talked with past student board reps Natalia Armas (Central Valley) and Leilah Elsumeri (Ceres High) to learn more about the position.
“We’ve been friends for a long time,” Torres Aleman said. “She advised me it’s very important to listen when people are talking on campus. She also mentioned she had a fun experience.”
“Valeria is amazing,” said Hawks’ Activities Director Jon Merchant. “She saw this as a great opportunity to serve as a liaison between the school board and our school community. She is well spoken, tactful, and very well-suited to serve in this role.”
“Alana is a well-rounded young lady who is involved with multiple aspects of Ceres High,” said Bulldogs’ Activities Director Amanda Casas. “She is kind, respectful, responsible, and professional.”
Torres Aleman and Inahara have both been involved in student leadership at their respective high schools since freshmen year and have each dedicated time to academics and athletes.
Torres Aleman has a cumulative grade-point average of 4.33 and is currently enrolled in five Advanced-Placement (AP) classes at Central Valley. She took a four AP courses as a junior and two sophomore year.
This school year Torres Aleman will serve as president of the Warrior Organization of Women Empowerment (WOWE) – she was vice president as a junior– and vice president of National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI).
A varsity cheerleader since freshman year, Torres Aleman has been a member of her school’s stunt cheer team since 11th grade.
Inahara has a cumulative GPA of 3.6 and is currently enrolled in two AP classes.
Inahara will serve as Ceres High’s social media director this school year and helps update the school’s Instagram account.
A four-year member of Ceres High’s swim program, Inahara played volleyball as a junior, sophomore and freshman.
“My mom and dad have always pushed me to have good grades and get to know new people,” she said. “They’ve inspired me to do a lot of things.”
Torres Aleman and Inahara both plan to attend four-year colleges next fall.
“My dream college has always been Stanford,” said Torres Aleman, who plans to major in management science and engineering.
Torres Aleman will be a first-generation college students just like her two older siblings.
They attend UC Berkeley and Stanislaus State.
“I never thought I could achieve my dreams,” commented Torres Aleman. “Watching my sisters succeed inspired me. I have a lot of resources.”
Both of Inahara’s parents went to college and she also plans to go but is undecided as to which one.
“I want to stay in California and close to the beach.”
Inahara wants to follow in the footsteps of her father who is a registered nurse. She’s also considering becoming a doctor.
“I definitely want to be involved in the medical field,” Inahara said.
