Meet the Former Student Board Members

Student Board Member Joseph Cruz was sworn into office on June 25, 2024, after being one of the top two vote earners in a May 2024 election wherre more than 3,000 San Diego Unified students cast their ballots. 

Joseph Cruz, a senior at Morse High School, is a motivated, eager, and charismatic leader. Driven by a desire to bring positive change to his community and country, he ran for the position of Student Board Member as the sole candidate from Southeast San Diego.

Having been a student of San Diego Unified since kindergarten—first attending Bethune K-8 and then Morse—he understands the critical importance of fostering a strong bond between students and schools. He wishes to strengthen this bond by advocating for ALL students to ensure that his actions on the board can better the lives of every student in some way, shape, or form.

Fueled by an unwavering passion for public service and law, Joseph engages in a wide range of activities at Morse. He has served two terms on his School Site Council, started a Mock Trial Team, and is the president of the Model United Nations Club. Additionally, he is heavily involved in the JROTC program at his school, where he has participated in and secured multiple placements in regulatory, ceremonial, and fancy drill competitions. He currently serves as the Battalion Executive Officer and Commander of the Color Guard, Honor Guard, 50 States, honing his leadership skills with each passing day.

Joseph lives by the philosophy that “Leaders aren’t born; they’re made.” Inspired by his leaders of the past and present, he aims to continue the cycle of student leaders motivating and fostering their peers into seeking the mantle of leadership so they may one day lead lives of selfless service to others.

On the board, Joseph Cruz aims to bridge the gap for underprivileged communities, ensuring that all students across the district have equitable access to resources and opportunities to further their prosperity and success.

Student Board Member Quinton Baldis was sworn into office on June 25, 2024, after being one of the top two vote earners in a May 2024 election where more than 3,000 San Diego Unified students cast their ballots. 

Quinton Baldis is a newly elected student representative on the San Diego Unified School Board. A San Diego native, Quinton attended Jerabek Elementary, Marshall Middle School, and is currently a senior at Scripps Ranch High School (SRHS). He has a deep passion for civics and the law, having been a dedicated member of the SRHS mock trial team for three years and serving as co-president for two of those years. His commitment and skill in mock trial earned him the title of "Best Prosecuting Attorney" during the 2024 San Diego County Mock Trial Competition. This summer, he will be interning at the City Attorney's office, where he looks forward to gaining practical experience in the legal field.

Quinton has played soccer for as long as he can remember and competes on the SRHS varsity soccer team. His athletic interests also extend to beach volleyball and track & field. In addition to his school and athletic commitments, Quinton co-founded Equal Kicks, an organization that unites soccer enthusiasts and runs an equipment and funding drive for under-resourced children. His dedication to this cause underscores his belief in ensuring that all students have access to the resources they need to pursue their dreams, both inside and outside the classroom.

As a peer mentor at his high school, Quinton enjoys connecting with and supporting younger students, helping them navigate their academic and personal challenges. Quinton is committed to fostering a positive and inclusive school environment, offering guidance and encouragement to his mentees. Additionally, he has engaged with the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) and participated in business leadership programs, further developing his leadership skills and broadening his understanding of community service and professional development.

Quinton is the middle of three brothers; one is a sophomore at SRHS and the other is studying at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo. In his free time, Quinton enjoys spending time with family and friends, working out, surfing, reading, and engaging in anything and everything mock trial-related.

On the school board, Quinton is excited to represent his peers and is committed to building a strong community of students across the district. He values hearing other students' stories and experiences and aims to ensure that every student feels supported and empowered to achieve their goals.

Student Board Member Blessyn Lavender Williams was sworn into office on June 27, 2023, after being one of the top two vote earners in a May 2023 election where more than 3,000 San Diego Unified students cast their ballots.

“Your voice is your greatest power, use it and let it be the change you want to see” Lavender Williams said.  As a student board member it's my top priority to give every student a space to be unapologetically themselves. You will be heard, You will be supported, You will be celebrated. 

Blessyn Lavender Williams, a current senior at Lincoln High School, is a passionate, proud and confident leader. She's actively involved in her community and school. She is a student athlete competing in  varsity Lacrosse, Tennis and cheer. She is also the current president of an organization named Black Girls United whose focus is on sisterhood and exposing teenagers to the importance of giving back to the community. Another organization she is a member of is the Young and Prosperous Foundation, which is dedicated to supporting and preparing students for college by exposing them to universities and financial help. Additionally, Lavender Williams is completing her fourth year as an Aaron Price fellow. Beginning freshman year, the Aaron Price Foundation showcases different professions and helps high school scholars in San Diego discover and develop their true passions. 

These foundations and the lessons she has learned along the way from her peers have shaped the leader  Lavender Williams is today, positively contributing to her confidence to effectively represent and uplift the voices of all students in San Diego Unified 

At Lincoln, Lavender Williams enjoys being an active member on campus- continually developing her leadership and working with other students, as the Senior Class President in ASB. She especially values getting feedback from students, directly. Lavender Williams celebrates all students and aims to make them feel supported. Whether  it's academics, athletics, STEAM, VAPA, or another passion she plans to unite/connect students from across all disciplines. 

Having felt unseen, Lavender Williams decided to run for the position of Student Board Member and be the catalyst for change she and her peers feel is necessary. Her priority is to ensure each student feels connected to their school, district, and community, is knowledgeable about the different opportunities uniquely available to them, and empowered to make a difference. 

On the board, Lavender Williams will continue to celebrate and showcase all students while giving them a space to take action  on what they believe in.

Student Board Member Matthew Quitoriano was sworn into office on June 28, 2022, after being one of the top two vote earners in a May 2022 election where more than 3,000 San Diego Unified students cast their ballots.

“I want my legacy to be of change, of reform, and of justice,” Quitoriano said. “This position is the best place where I can turn that idea into a reality.”

Matthew Quitoriano is a first-generation American and current student at San Diego High School. He is a fencer, musician, and leader. Matthew sought out the position of Student Board Member, looking to connect students with the district in an equitable way. He saw the board position as a way to lessen disparities and start a legacy of justice.

Matthew’s education started at Grant TK-8, which he attended from kindergarten to 8th grade. There, he was heavily involved in academic activities such as Science Olympiad, Quiz Bowl, and Junior Model United Nations. He earned the “Pat Peirson Economic Award” Presented by Cuyamaca City College and EconEd. He was a key planner for his eighth-grade promotion and worked closely with fellow students in the process.

In 2021, Matthew started his enrollment in San Diego High School. There, he became involved with his school’s Gender and Sexuality Alliance, Model United Nations, and Academic League. He learned about equities and inequities firsthand through volunteer work at food banks, involvement in protests, and more; and found his passion for change.

On the board, he seeks to reform many aspects of education, including communication with students, student access to learning tools, student representation, and more. He’s excited to bring his past experiences to the board.

Student Board Member Lea Nepomuceno was sworn into office on June 28, 2022, after being one of the top two vote earners in a May 2022 election where more than 3,000 San Diego Unified students cast their ballots. 

“Through chairing the Independent Citizens Oversight Committee on Racial Justice and Equity, I've witnessed first-hand the incredible youth-led initiatives and programs across our school district,” Nepomuceno said. “As a Student Board Member, I aim to align the quality of opportunity for students to explore, discover, and amplify passion without limitation.”

Lea Nepomuceno is an activist, journalist, and current student at Scripps Ranch High School. Since the age of 13, Nepomuceno has dedicated herself to advocating for social justice reform. In 2019, Nepomuceno co-founded the organization, Youth for Juvenile Justice Reform — interviewing over 200 formerly incarcerated individuals in efforts to educate youth on the criminal justice system. Through the organization, Nepomuceno has collaborated with artists including Emmy-Nominated Choreographer Jeremy McQueen’s Black Iris Project Wild: Act 1. She’s been featured as a panelist on the VIBE Movement’s “What’s color got to do with it?: Dismantling the School-to-Prison Pipeline” Series in 2020 and Youth Summit NYC’s 2021 Summit held by Students and Educators for Equity (SEE) and Youth Restorative Justice (YRJ). She is also the youngest member of the University of Southern California’s Prison Education Project.

Noticing the intersection of urban gun violence and crime, Nepomuceno created the podcast, Evidence for Change, where she interviews alumni from the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions Summer Youth Institute. Evidence for Change has since accumulated over 15,000 listens. In 2022, Nepomuceno was invited to President Biden’s Signing Ceremony of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act alongside the nation’s leading activists and policymakers on gun violence prevention. Since the age of 15, Nepomuceno has worked with Brady Team Enough’s California Lobbying Collective. She was recently appointed to the Executive Council.

In 2021, Nepomuceno co-founded Scripps Ranch High School’s first student-led printed publication, The WING Magazine, featuring coverage on self care, mental health, and lifestyle advice. She directed 150 student writers, artists, and graphic designers in the development of Volume 1, Issue 1 as co-Editor-in-Chief alongside award-winning artist, Sahithi Lingampalli. In the 2022-2023 school year, The WING Magazine will be going districtwide starting with a chapter in San Diego High School.

At the local level, Nepomuceno is co-president of the Scripps Ranch High School Mock Trial Team, board member of Falcon Peer Mentoring, research assistant at the University of California San Diego’s Early Learning and Cognition Lab, and mentor at the Iglesia Ni Cristo.

Before being elected, Nepomuceno served in the district as student chair of the Independent Citizens Oversight Committee on Racial Justice and Equity where she monitored the implementation of staff diversity, ethnic studies, interrupting discriminatory grading practices, dismantling discriminatory discipline policies and practices, and building anti-racist and restorative school communities.

Nepomuceno, a resident of Mira Mesa, is a lifelong San Diego Unified student. Growing up in a military household, Nepomuceno attended the Miramar Youth and Teen Center after school, where she met students from a variety of cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. There, she identified education as a resource to align the opportunities for students to explore, discover, and amplify passion without limitation. On the board, Nepomuceno’s areas of focus include campus policing reforms, restorative justice, culturally inclusive and allergy-friendly school lunch options, and menstrual equity.

Zachary Patterson was first elected to represent the students of San Diego Unified School District in October of 2019. He is the first student to ever be elected to the Board of Education, holding the title of Student Board Member. Zachary was recently reelected as Student Board Member in May of 2021. Zachary is currently a senior at University City High School in District A.

Zachary has been a life-long student of San Diego Unified. He started his education at Curie Elementary, followed by Standley Middle School, and now University City High School. Through out his childhood, Zachary has served as a student leader through various student leadership positions and advocacy circles.

Three years ago Zachary began working with the San Diego Unified School District to unite student voice by creating a Student Advisory Board, and adding a student to the Board of Education. His work took him across the district as he envisioned the creation of a system that could accurately represent the diversity of San Diego Unified School District. After learning about the student population, creating a plan that would encompass all students, and overcoming the obstacles that stood in his way, Zachary received approval from the Board of Education. With this approval the election of the first Student Board Member commenced. On October 29th, 2019 Zachary was first elected by the students of San Diego Unified School District to serve as the Student Board Member.

Zachary's first initiative as Student Board Member was to convene the inaugural Student Advisory Board. After successfully appointing a diverse group of students, Zachary will look to this group for ideas and advice on how to best represent students. Their perspective and experiences will help him gain a stronger understanding of students throughout the district.

During his first term in office Zachary fought for student mental health and successfully changed district absence codes to allow excused absences for student mental health. Subsequently, he personally worked with students and successfully directed the district to require mental health education as a requirement for graduation. Zachary has stressed the urgency of climate change and worked with students to successfully pressure Governor Newsom to end offshore oil drilling. Zachary has also worked with students and staff and is proud to have helped move the district towards a standards based grading system that works for every student. 

Looking forward, Zachary is prepared to continue  work for the students. Specifically, he wants to work with those that have been left out of education. He is a believer that the students who are the most disconnected from their education, are the individuals that need to be heard. As a school board member Zachary is focusing on a few key initiatives. Climate is at the top of his agenda. He is working to ensure that SDUSD is meeting its Climate Action Plan and taking concrete steps toward becoming a carbon neutral school district. Zachary is also focusing on mental health, and applicable education. He is passionate about ensuring that curriculum being taught relates to a diverse student body.

Zachary's goal is to ensure that all students feel they have the resources and support necessary to be successful students and individuals in school and beyond.

"Being the primary stakeholders in our education system, we deserve the ability to have the representation that ensures our success."

He is excited to work in partnership with the Student Equity Ambassadors, Council of ASB Presidents, PTSA, Student Wellness and Resources Committee, and general student population, in order to ensure an education system that is for the students and by the students.

In addition to his work on the Board of Education, Zachary is the President and founder of the California Student Board Member Association and a member of the California Chief Justice's Power of Democracy Steering Committee. Zachary is a cross-country runner who enjoys hanging out with friends. He participates in multiple clubs on campus including California Scholarship Federation, and Casas de Luz- a club which builds houses for impoverished families in Mexico. Zachary is a part of YMCA Youth and Government, and is a frequent representative of San Diego Unified to the Student Advisory Board on Education. He serves as a member of the Executive Team on the San Diego Unified Council of PTA's. Zachary hopes to attend a four year university with a major in political science. One day he hopes to again represent the people of San Diego as an elected official.

Zachary invites all education stakeholders to advocate for the change they want to see in their education system.