The Washington Unified School District on Oct. 9 recognized student leadership growth across middle schools and introduced three student board representatives for the 2025–26 school year.

June Flores, the district’s director of equity, diversity and inclusion, community schools and student leadership, told the board that the district sent more than 250 middle school students this year to the Castle-area conference (a statewide event affiliated with the California Association of Student Leaders / CADA). Flores said the district’s Leadership Development Day began in 2023 with 150 students and grew to about 200 in 2024.

Flores said the conference aligns with WUSD’s strategic plan and the district’s Portrait of a Graduate, emphasizing communication, collaboration, critical thinking and civic-mindedness. Student participants described workshops on brainstorming, gratitude practices and networking. “Leadership has truly transformed me,” said Coco Gomez, an Elkhorn student who is student body president and a student board representative.

The board also introduced the 2025 student board representatives, who will rotate attendance each meeting and meet with the board president for prep. They are Masha Rakhmanova (Washington Middle College High School), Xocho Ramirez (River City High School) and Salia Ornelas (YOLO High School). Each will present a student report at meetings and may stay to observe board discussion; their input will be recorded in meeting minutes but they do not cast a binding vote.

Board President Kirby Gonzalez thanked student leaders and their teachers and invited the students to take a photograph on the dais.

The recognition was celebratory in tone; no formal board action was required.