EL MONTE – South El Monte High School’s (SEMHS) Andrea Pablo-Matamoros will amplify the voices of El Monte Union students and help shape District policies as she steps into her new role as the 2024-25 Board of Trustees Student Member, following her official swearing-in during the Aug. 7 Board meeting.

Family, friends, community members, and District officials gathered to celebrate Pablo-Matamoros as she officially assumed her role as Student Board Member and took on the additional responsibility of serving as president of the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council (SAC) during her senior year.

“I had no idea about the complexities of school when I started as a freshman, but joining ASB changed everything. Our class director introduced me to SAC and I knew then I wanted to reach this position, following in the footsteps of leaders like Xitlali Palacios, Ruben Carrazco, and Sofia Hernandez,” Pablo-Matamoros said. “I am honored to serve as student board member and advisory council president, and I’m grateful to my parents and family for their endless support; I couldn’t have done this without them.”

During the meeting, Pablo-Matamoros credited her parents, particularly her father, for nurturing her interest in politics. She recalled how watching the news with her father introduced her to a video of a young girl standing up for her community during public comment, a moment that inspired her to pursue student leadership.

As the new Student Board Member, Pablo-Matamoros said she is committed to bringing awareness to various issues affecting all District schools, with a particular focus on destigmatizing perceptions of “troubled students.”

“I believe we need to stop using appearances, habits, and other personal characteristics to make assumptions about what the future holds for students. Education is important but so are our ambitions and talents,” Pablo-Matamoros said. “We need to start by not being afraid to smile or say hi.”

Throughout her time at SEMHS, Pablo-Matamoros has been actively involved in the Associated Student Body (ASB), Student Advisory, and various extracurricular activities, including running cross country since her freshman year and serving as the unofficial team manager for the track and field team. She is also a dedicated member of her class club and Operation Smile, a nonprofit medical service organization she helps fundraise for through after-school sales and school fairs.

Raised in an immigrant household, Pablo-Matamoros said she once viewed college as the only path to success. Now, inspired by her brother, Giovanni, she’s exploring diverse educational options, including trade schools and community colleges. With interests in psychology and child development, she aspires to have a career as a social worker or family attorney.

Outside of school, Pablo-Matamoros enjoys spending time with her family on small road trips, exploring new places with friends, and hosting gatherings at her home, where she often shares her homemade baked goods. She also finds relaxation in completing household chores, dancing alone in her room, and helping at her church with public events and youth-led retreats.

“Andrea has demonstrated strong leadership qualities and a deep understanding of the issues important to our students at El Monte Union High School District,” Superintendent Dr. Edward Zuniga said. “I am confident she will make valuable contributions to the Board and the Advisory Council. Congratulations Andrea!”

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

EMUHSD_STUDENT BOARD MEMBER_1: South El Monte High School senior Andrea Pablo-Matamoros is officially sworn in as El Monte Union’s 2024-25 Student Board Member during an Aug. 7 meeting.

EMUHSD_STUDENT BOARD MEMBER_2: South El Monte High School senior Andrea Pablo-Matamoros celebrates being sworn in as El Monte Union’s 2024-25 Student Board Member alongside the District’s Superintendent Dr. Edward Zuniga and her peers from the Superintendent Advisory Council during a Board meeting on Aug. 7.