Original article by Jasmine Leyva in San Jose Mercury News
The associated student body program at Westmont High School is in the running for an award that recognizes student leadership.
The high school's student leadership organization has been named as a finalist for an award from the California Association of Student Leaders. The nonprofit association provides resources and networks for student leaders.
More than 50 schools in the state have been named as finalists for the award. Student leaders from the schools will attend a weekend conference in the city of Ontario with hundreds of other student leaders April 9-11. At the conference, one school will ultimately take home the award.
The 50 ASB students from Westmont High School will spend their time at the conference learning about service projects that other schools have participated in, attend workshops and learn about scholarship opportunities.
To qualify for the award, schools needed to fill out a seven-page application and ship it off to the California Association of Students Leaders. ASB organizations from all over the state needed to address what their leadership program has done to showcase progressive leadership.
This year the school ASB participated in the Campbell Union High School District "day of service," which saw the wrapping of 25,000 meals for children. Students last year raised money for St. Jude's Children Hospital.
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Laura Saldana, a teacher who heads Westmont's ASB, said she has seen the program and her students grow by taking ownership of the program. The students are even coordinating with another high school in the district to participate in the Campbell Relay for Life in April.
"We have so much community support," Saldana said. "Each year the students always want to do more for their peers and community."