Anely Cortez Lopez, a dedicated advocate for student achievement and mental health in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), is making waves as the newly sworn-in student board member. Taking on the role on the second day of the 2024-25 school year, Lopez is committed to uplifting student voices and addressing the most pressing issues facing the diverse student body of LAUSD.
### A Voice for Students: Anely Cortez Lopez’s Journey
As a student board member, Lopez may not have the formal voting power of the LAUSD school board, but she wields influence through advisory votes, voicing opinions, and introducing resolutions. From a young age, Lopez has been passionate about student advocacy, recognizing the importance of amplifying the voices of those most in need within her community. This drive led her to run for the position of student board member, where she now serves as a beacon of representation for her peers.
Having experienced firsthand the struggles faced by students in her Title 1 school, Lopez is acutely aware of the challenges that many of her classmates encounter on a daily basis. She has witnessed the disparities in healthcare while volunteering at local retirement homes, further fueling her commitment to making a difference in her community. Born to Mexican immigrants, Lopez’s upbringing instilled in her a sense of civic responsibility, as she accompanied her mother to town hall and neighborhood meetings, where she honed her skills in advocacy and translation.
### Prioritizing Student Achievement and Mental Health
Lopez’s vision for her role as student board member centers around two key pillars: student achievement and mental health. Recognizing the achievement gap that disproportionately affects low-income, minority, first-generation, and English learner students, Lopez is determined to implement changes that will uplift these marginalized groups. Drawing from her own experiences as a first-generation student, Lopez understands the importance of mentorship and support programs in empowering students to succeed academically.
As the new school year unfolds, Lopez is attuned to the challenges that LAUSD students are most concerned about. Central to these concerns is the desire for student voices to be heard and valued. Students, who spend hours each day in the classroom, possess a unique perspective on the issues that impact them directly. Lopez advocates for the amplification of student voices, as well as an increased focus on mental health and wellness, especially in light of the challenges brought about by the pandemic.
### Fostering Mentorship and Civic Engagement
In her quest to address the needs of LAUSD students, Lopez emphasizes the importance of mentorship and support for marginalized groups. Recognizing that many students come from households that may not provide adequate guidance, Lopez sees mentorship as a crucial tool in closing the achievement gap. By providing mentorship to first-generation, low-income, and English learner students, Lopez aims to create a supportive environment where all students can thrive academically and personally.
One of Lopez’s key passions is amplifying the student voice. While she acknowledges that her own experiences inform her perspective, Lopez is committed to representing the diverse voices of her peers. As a student board member, she sees her role as a conduit for the needs and concerns of the student population, ensuring that their perspectives are at the forefront of decision-making processes.
### Empowering Students Through Civic Engagement
Looking ahead, Lopez has set ambitious goals for her tenure as student board member. She hopes to empower students to engage in civic activities, such as volunteering, pre-registering to vote, and encouraging their families to participate in the electoral process. With her term coinciding with an election year, Lopez is passionate about instilling in students the value of their civic engagement and the impact they can have on shaping their community and country.
In conclusion, Anely Cortez Lopez’s dedication to prioritizing student achievement and mental health in LAUSD is a testament to her unwavering commitment to serving her peers. Through her advocacy, mentorship initiatives, and focus on amplifying student voices, Lopez is paving the way for a more inclusive and supportive educational environment for all students in the Los Angeles Unified School District.
