FONTANA, CA – Fontana Unified School District is elevating student voices in District leadership with the selection of Kaiser High School junior Julian Villeda as the Student Board Member for the 2026-27 school year.

In this role, Villeda will represent nearly 32,000 Fontana Unified students, helping bring student perspectives into Board discussions and Districtwide decision-making. Villeda, who boasts a 4.12 GPA, has attended Fontana Unified schools since he was four years old and said he hopes to serve as a bridge between students and District leaders.

“The best way to make a difference in a community is to serve the people you strive to make an impact on,” Villeda said. “I want to serve alongside our Board members to represent and be a messenger for students across the school district.”

Villeda’s passion for student advocacy is rooted in his own experience growing up in Fontana Unified, where he learned the importance of helping students feel connected, supported, and heard. After switching high schools within the District and learning to navigate new environments, Villeda said he found purpose in reaching out to others who may feel overlooked.

Through his involvement in Associated Student Body (ASB), athletics, student mentorship, and campus clubs, Villeda has built a strong leadership foundation at Kaiser High School. As ASB secretary, Villeda helps maintain meeting minutes, service logs, forms, and records, while supporting student activities and campus events. He also participates in cross country, track and field, Link Crew, Folklórico, Excel Club, and Mousetrap Media. Villeda said his leadership experiences have allowed him to work closely with students and staff, building the communication and problem-solving skills needed to represent his peers.

“I want to reach out to those who feel sidelined, unheard, and silenced,” Villeda said. “As Student Board Member, I can support more students to personally ensure that everyone finds their place.”

Villeda said he plans to listen to students across all grade levels and ensure their ideas and concerns are reflected in conversations that shape their educational experience. His goal is to help students understand that their perspectives matter, especially when decisions are being made about their schools, programs, and campus experiences.

The student board member selection process included finalists from all six Fontana Unified high schools, with finalists including:

  • Haily Verduzo of A.B. Miller High School;
  • Brianna Maldonado Chavez of Eric Birch High School;
  • Joseph Aguiluz of Fontana High School;
  • Isabella Mendoza of Jurupa Hills High School and;
  • Manvir Samra of Summit High School.

Finalists will serve as members of the Fontana Unified Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council for the 2026-2027 school year.

“Julian has spent his high school years making sure other students feel connected and supported, and he will carry that same commitment into every board meeting,” Superintendent Miki R. Inbody said. “Nearly 32,000 students have perspectives worth hearing, and Julian, along with the 2026-2027 Student Advisory Council, has made it their mission to make sure those perspectives reach the people making decisions about their schools.”

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

STUDENT_BOARD_MEMBER1: Kaiser High School student Julian Villeda will serve as Fontana Unified School District’s Student Board Member for the 2026-27 school year, representing nearly 32,000 students and helping bring student perspectives to District leadership.

STUDENT_BOARD_MEMBER2: Fontana Unified School District student leaders selected as Student Board Member finalists will continue serving their peers through the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council during the 2026-27 school year.