The State Council has been hard at work since May, developing the skills necessary to take action and reach our objectives for the rest of the year. Last year’s State Council brought about marvelous achievements, including the passage of Senate Bill 1422, which authorizes ASBs at high schools to implement student-teacher evaluations. Our new council is working efficiently and rigorously to implement this idea at schools across California while spreading our leadership curriculum to as many schools as possible. Every single State Council member has already dedicated their precious time to education advocacy and leadership training that will impact the 6.3 million students in California alone. In fact, they could have been doing a number of different things and chose the easier path of just being a full-time student, yet they made the commitment for change anyway.
And by all means, not everyone has to make such a huge commitment to student and leadership advocacy. But if every student in California stepped up to make a difference, even if it was just a small change, then the outcome would be massive. For the past 2 years, CASC has changed my life completely. Beneath all the hard work and long hours of dedication lies a purpose. CASC improved my leadership and management skills. But more importantly, it provided me the opportunity to discover my true self and utilize that knowledge to step out of my comfort zone. My own life changing experience is the reason why I desire to spread the impact of this organization to as many students as I can.
For too long we have been recognized as the generation of apathy. The youth that do not care about our local communities. The youth that do not care about our world. And hence, I have a challenge for all students who know that this stereotype is completely false. I challenge all youth to try and be proactive in bringing about change at their local communities. If every student makes a single change at the local level, then we can impact the entire state of California. And this all starts with changing the education system, because education is the key to a better future for all students.
We took the first baby steps towards change when students participated in a number of experiences. Youth had the chance to meet with Superintendent Tom Torlakson and the California State Board of Education Members at the State Capitol in Sacramento. They presented proposals to the Board of Education at the Student Advisory Board on Education (SABE). These proposals were created by students at the conference and have the potential to affect education policy and every single public school in the state.
However, students also have the opportunity to individually develop their leadership skills as well as develop them with their respective ASBs at the region conferences. Region conferences are 1-day leadership trainings where students from a particular region learn highly effective leadership curriculum as well as collaborate with other ASBs from various schools. This grassroots level opportunity sets the perfect base to bring about change at your schools and communities.
Please join the State Council and I in advocating for our generation and bringing about positive change across California.
If you have any questions on program information or on how to impact your schools and communities, feel free to email me at ronak.ahir@casc.net
Sincerely,
Ronak Ahir
Leland High School, Class of 2012
CASC State President 11-12
Leland High, Class of 2012
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