Young School Board Leaders with fresh ideas, making a difference, challenging the status quo. This is their story...

An essay on youth leadership in challenged school systems… Anthony X. Vigil, age 19 of New Mexico; Ty'Relle Stephens, age 20 of Rhode Island; Bushra Amiwala, age 22 of Illinois; Mussab Ali, 23 of New Jersey; Kelly Gonez, age 32 of California each represent true diversity and action. In the 1960’s, Alamogordo High School ranked in the top 10 in the nation and attracted teachers from around the nation. According to US News and World Report School rankings the school now ranks #40 in New Mexico High Schools and 6754 in national rankings.  In school districts around the nation, youth are stepping into leadership roles within school boards, with fresh ideas and insights and making a difference in challenging the status quo and making change. Mark Twain once said, “The secret of getting ahead is getting started.” That is the mantra of Anthony X. Vigil the 19-year-old elected school board president of Mesa Vista Consolidated School District in New Mexico. This quote seems to be a similar mantra for several other young people from a diverse spectrum of cultures who are grabbing ahold of American Democracy, and not only participating, but seeking elected office and winning at the level of school board. This is their story... This episode is also available as a blog post: http://authorchrisedwards.com/2021/05/24/young-school-board-leaders-with-fresh-ideas-making-a-difference-challenging-the-status-quo/