Six San Lorenzo Valley High School students presented reports on women’s and children’s rights to Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Palo Alto, as part of her 2010 Student Advisory Board.
Eshoo created student advisory boards in the 14th Congressional District shortly after she was first elected in 1992 as a way to involve young people in the political process.
“The work the student advisory boards have done over the years is nothing short of exceptional,” Eshoo told an audience at Scotts Valley City Hall during a visit Saturday, May 22.
On the panel were senior Carmen Tellez, the leader of the board; senior Beau Broughton; senior Rachel Bickert; and juniors Brittany Whitehill, Nettie Mitchell-Brudnick and Claire Barnes.
The group, advised by SLV High teacher Cindy Martinez, tackled the topic of women’s rights in six-part report, titled “The Rights of Women and Children in the International Community.”
The students researched topics with help from Eshoo’s staff and prepared the report before speaking about their work, with Eshoo in attendance.
Whitehill reported on international protection of the rights of female activists; Tellez on sexual assaults among the indigenous peoples of North America; Bickert on Pakistan and women’s educational rights; Broughton on how e-waste affects developing countries; Mitchell-Brudnick on medical care for those in need; and Barnes on the International Women’s Freedom Act of 2009.
After the presentations, Eshoo praised the students’ work and voiced her commitment to considering each of their recommendations to support legislation.
“I think you’ve gone to the heart of an issue really where the heart of the world is,” Eshoo said.
The students each received a congressional certificate of special recognition.
Broughton was thrilled to work on the project and meet the congresswoman.
“We never thought we would make such an impact,” Broughton said. “Teens are not always heard. It’s nice to make a contribution and to be part of beginning the potential process.”
SLV High Principal Mike Arredondo noted that the students on the advisory board had multiple areas of interest, from the international science fair to sports.
“Their involvement crosses all areas,” he said. “To have all the students on this board, it just makes me very proud.”
The student’s work will be filed in the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.
“This experience for students is something I have hoped will remain with them for the rest of their lives,” Eshoo said.
