SAN DIMAS/LA VERNE – San Dimas High School students Vanessa Sandoval and Eva Yassine will serve on the California Association of Student Leadership (CASL) Board in 2022-23, through which they will work to foster positive school environments across the state and empower students to help shape their school communities.

Sandoval and Yassine were named to the CASL Board at the organization’s state leadership conference, held April 2 to 4. They were selected after networking with student leaders and participating in a Q&A session, during which they advocated for their leadership ideas and shared their qualifications. Sandoval and Yassine also developed their leadership expertise by engaging in workshops and delivering 12-minute “Meet the Pros” presentations that discussed their experiences with organizing a successful drive event and the problems with perfection.

“The CASL conference was an exciting experience as I learned more about my leadership style,” Sandoval said. “I learned more about how to network and put my name out there as well as the importance of presentation skills—all critical real-world skills I’ll use in the future.”

Sandoval and Yassine said they hope to utilize the skills they learned at the conference into their everyday lives and the future. After graduating from San Dimas High, both students aspire to attend a University of California campus, with Sandoval intending to study biology and Yassine intending to study political science and become a district attorney.

“I was introduced to CASL in the fifth grade and throughout my life, I’ve learned that CASL is very much a community,” Yassine said. “As a Board member, I hope to become a better leader and share my skills with others to make other leaders and other leadership programs better.”

CASL is a student-led, not-for-profit organization that equips and empowers students to be the next generation of leaders. The CASL State Board is made up of 32 student leaders and advisory members from across California who organize and guide leadership workshops and plan the annual CASL State Conference.

“We are thrilled for Vanessa and Eva to serve on the CASL Board next year,” Bonita Unified Superintendent Carl Coles said. “The skills and lessons they will learn from this experience will benefit them as they lead San Dimas High’s Associated Student Body next school year and explore the opportunities that await after graduation.”

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BUSD_CASL1: San Dimas High School junior Vanessa Sandoval and sophomore Eva Yassine were selected to serve on the California Association of Student Leadership Board during the state conference, held April 2 to 4.