Annual Report Presented at SLV Senior Center

The Student Advisory Board of the 14th Congressional District held its June 4th meeting at the Highlands Park Senior Center in Ben Lomond.  The student board is sponsored by Congresswoman Anna Eshoo and is comprised of junior and senior students from San Lorenzo Valley High School, including Hyllery Hershberger, Catrina Tellez, Jonathan Bukowski, Parker Woodard, Kendra Forst, Johann Prambs, Ajna Weaver, Miri Becker and Michaella McFarland. The Student Advisory Board was supported and inspired by the excellent SLVHS Social Studies teachers, Cindy Martinez and Julie Salido, and by Christine Padilla, the talented local Field Rep for Congresswoman Eshoo.

The evening was dedicated to a discussion of the HEALTH POLICY issues presented in the students’ 2011-2012 Annual Report, and provided a forum for the students to explain their research and conclusions regarding their chosen topic of study. Their research and the resulting recommendations to Congresswoman Eshoo gave students the opportunity to participate in political activism and gain knowledge and experience in the field of policy making and legislation. The topics they presented, their advocacy efforts and recommendations for the legislative process were all informative, timely, well-researched and reflective of contemporary issues important to the community. These issues included stem cell research, mental health treatment for veterans, genetically modified foods and abuse of antibiotics to name just a few.

It was an impressive and enlightening evening, and provided our Congressional Representative with important information and guidelines. Our community can be very proud of these students, and grateful to Anna for providing them with this opportunity.