Who is Sam?

Sammy Solano Rivera is a candidate for the Mount Vernon School Board to represent the diverse community of Mount Vernon and to advocate for those who have long lacked a strong voice at the table—namely, the students, teachers, paraeducators, and staff who make the district what it is. 

Coming from a working-class Mexican background, with both parents working in the fields, Sam witnessed at an early age the inequities that exist throughout society, especially in education, through his experiences at Jefferson Elementary, Mount Baker Middle School, and Mount Vernon High School. With a sister who worked as a paraeducator at Washington Elementary and as a former student of Mount Vernon Schools himself, Sam saw firsthand the challenges faced by both staff and students—challenges that a just society should strive to address.

It was thanks to the support of a paraeducator at Mount Vernon High School that Sam’s life took a positive turn, helping him gain the skills needed to succeed in secondary and post-secondary education. Inspired by this experience, Sam became deeply involved in his community. He participated in the renowned Mount Vernon High School Speech & Debate program, placing 5th at State in his first year and being recognized as the most inspirational student and the student with the most growth in 2024. He has also been active in the Kiwanis Key Club and the Skagit County Teen Court program organized by the Skagit Superior Court, and has raised funds and advocated for his peers.

Sam received the Champion of Diversity award from Skagit Valley College, where he will be studying. Having seen the struggles of paraeducators—like his mentor and sister—who are underpaid despite their dedication to students, Sam was inspired to run for the Mount Vernon School Board. Encouraged by his peers and community, he is committed to being a voice for the voiceless and an advocate for the marginalized students and staff who have too often been overlooked by the district.