FONTANA, CA – Jurupa Hills High School senior Juleny Ortiz-Contreras wants to be a voice for her peers, effect change and inspire others to get involved in the community, all of which she hopes to achieve as Fontana Unified’s 2019-20 Board of Education student representative.

“As a high school student, I am affected by the very issues that board members are working to resolve, so I know that my insight will be of help to them,” Ortiz-Contreras said. “I am excited to learn from our board; I want to understand how our District works and I am looking forward to this amazing opportunity.”

Ortiz-Contreras serves as team captain of Jurupa Hills’ girls basketball team, as a math club officer and a bible school assistant teacher. She juggles nearly a dozen additional clubs and volunteer activities with a full academic schedule and is an International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme candidate.

“She understands the importance of involvement, not just of students, but parents as well, and how vital their contribution can be, both in and outside of the classroom,” said Fontana Adult School Principal Dr. Ruzanna Hernandez, who met Ortiz-Contreras while serving as assistant principal at Jurupa Hills.

Ortiz-Contreras hopes to explore her passion for science and math by pursuing a college degree in biomedical engineering. One day, she hopes to create and design equipment and prosthetics to improve the health and lives of people with disabilities.

In addition to her board member duties, Ortiz-Contreras also will serve on the District’s youth advisory council, a forum in which students can bring issues from their schools to the table and discuss them among peers. Ortiz-Contreras will be sworn in at the Aug. 14 Board of Education meeting.

“Ms. Ortiz-Contreras is an outstanding student and passionate advocate who is well-equipped to represent the voice of Fontana Unified students this year,” Fontana Unified Superintendent Randal S. Bassett said. “We are thrilled to welcome her to the Board of Education and look forward to what she will accomplish in her new role.”

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FUSD_STUDENTREP: Jurupa Hills High School senior Juleny Ortiz-Contreras will serve as Fontana Unified’s 2019-20 Board of Education student representative.