Tomcats welcomed as student board membersTomcats welcomed as student board members

At its September 4 meeting, the Board of Education welcomed two East Aurora High School seniors as student representatives to the Board for the 2018-19 school year.

Board Secretary Kimberly Hatchett administered the oath to Tomcats Yahaira Chavez and Karina Herrera.

Yahaira Chavez

Yahaira’s teachers have described her as consistent, reliable, hard-working and kind.

Yahaira is a member of the National Honors Society, French Honors Society, Science National Honors Society, and for the last two years, she has served as a Student Council member.

Yahaira is involved in her local church, and provides community service to organizations in need. Yahaira also competes as a three-sport student-athlete in volleyball, basketball and softball.

Yahaira decided to pursue a student board member position because—in her words— she has surrounded herself with “a wide variety of people, including students who participate in afterschool clubs, those interested in athletics, and those students who just come to school for academics. Her wide variety of associations will allow her to understand the thoughts and feelings of her fellow students.

Ms. Chavez attended Oak Park Elementary and Cowherd Middle School before her time at East High.

Karina Herrera

Karina’s mathematics teacher, Mr. Christopher Walter, describes Karina Herrera as one of the top few students he has ever encountered as a professional educator. She is a leading member of the school’s highest level concert band, performs community service through organizations such as National Honors Society, and in her first three years at East High, she has consistently performed at a level beyond what is expected, having earned an A in every class of a very challenging class load.

Ms. Herrera is a member of the East High Marching Band, pit band for the musical, Student Council, DECA, National Honors Society and Science Honors Society.

Karina decided to pursue a student board member position because, in her words, as she grew up she “witnessed the school district grow and develop into the district it is today. “Through the years,” Karina says, she has “constantly become more and more proud to be part of this community.” Karina says she hopes to bring to light all student achievements, especially those that may be underrepresented. Herrera hopes to enhance the pride of the district and the community.

Karina attended Bardwell Elementary, Simmons and Waldo Middle Schools, before becoming at Tomcat.  

The student board members will begin serving at the Board of Education meetings on September 17.   

Either Chavez or Herrera will attend all board meetings. They will serve as advisory, non-voting members of the Board of Education for one school year.

Chavez and Herrera will give the board a student perspective in discussions. They will report to the board about student activities, and report to the student council on behalf of the board.