CONTACT: Shannon Haber, 213-393-1289
Grover Cleveland Charter High School Student Parishi Kanuga Elected as
Student Board Member for the 2021-22 School Year
LOS ANGELES (April 22, 2021) - Parishi Kanuga, an Indian-American student in the Humanities Magnet at Grover Cleveland Charter High School has been selected by her peers as the student representative on the Board of Education for the next school year.
“I am going to make it my mission to make sure each student has an equal platform to influence decisions in the District,” Parishi said. “I want all students to feel secure, listened to and empowered.” Calling for more mental health services to address trauma from the pandemic, she also wants more input from students via a monthly survey. At school, she is the president of Model United Nations, and founder of a service club “PAGE,” which stands for Providing, Accessible Guidance in Education. During summer visits to India, after noticing “the wide gap in education between the middle class and the poor,” she began teaching English to underprivileged children.
“Congratulations to Board Member Kanuga on her election,” Board President Kelly Gonez said. “I am excited to work with her on behalf of the students and families of Los Angeles Unified. She will be a crucial student voice on the Board as we look towards recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“Students are the most important individuals in Los Angeles Unified,” Board Member Dr. George J. McKenna III said. “Congratulations to Parishi Kanuga for accepting the responsibility of representing the voice of your peers. We look forward to welcoming you to the horseshoe.” The “horseshoe” represents the boardroom seating area for board members.
“Student voice and input is so important to the success of all kids at Los Angeles Unified and I congratulate Parishi Kanuga as the new student board member,” Board Member Mónica García said. “Her bold leadership and call for equitable education in and outside the U.S. is inspiring and a gift to us all, especially young women.”
“Ever since the addition of a student representative as a Member of the Board, our discussions and decision-making process during Board meetings have become more vibrant and focused,” Board Member Scott M. Schmerelson said. “This speaks to the importance of ensuring that student voices through their continued advocacy and civic engagement are woven into our policies. I congratulate and look forward to working with Parishi Kanuga from Cleveland Charter High School. So glad that we have a student board member representing Board District 3 and the West San Fernando Valley.”
“Congratulations to our new Student Board member, Parishi Kanuga,” Board Member Nick Melvoin said. “Parishi is an accomplished student and a passionate advocate—I look forward to having her perspective on the Board as we navigate the best ways to support students through this crisis and beyond.”
"Congratulations to Parishi Kanuga on a well-deserved election, and welcome aboard as Los Angeles Unified newest Student Board Member," Board Member Jackie Goldberg said. "We are so proud of all the students who participated in the election, and we look forward to hearing their voices and concerns that they face."
“Congratulations to our newly-elected Student Board Member, Parishi Kanuga,” Board Member Tanya Ortiz Franklin said. “As our new colleague, we look forward to working alongside you as a thought partner and appreciate your dedication to ensuring the needs and dreams of all Los Angeles Unified students are reflected in the decisions that we make.”