SRHS student becomes SDUSD trustee
The San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) recently swore-in two new student trustees: Ethan Ramirez and Scripps Ranch High School’s (SRHS) Lauren Ly. They will represent more than 94,000 students during the 2026-27 school year.
Only two student trustees are selected from the entire SDUSD student population each year. Although the program has only been active for a few years, Scripps Ranch High School has the distinct honor of having three of its students selected to the board since this position’s inception. Lea Nepomuceno and Quinton Baldis of SRHS have already served terms as school board student trustees. Lauren Ly now takes her seat on the board.
Sworn in on June 9, the student trustees will participate in Board of Education meetings, provide input on issues impacting students and serve as a bridge between district leadership and the student body. Their first official Board of Education meeting will take place on July 14.
Ly of Scripps Ranch High and Ramirez of San Diego High will serve one-year terms, and they replace outgoing trustees Alina Nguyen of Hoover High and Ashley Ordaz of University City High.
Ly, an 11th grader at SRHS, is a passionate advocate for fairness, equity, and student voice. As a Student Equity Ambassador, she led the Civic Engagement group, facilitating meaningful dialogue with district leaders and elevating the perspectives and experiences of students across San Diego Unified School District. Her commitment to student wellness also extends beyond the classroom. She helped shape how schools define and support student wellness through contributions to a national survey focused on youth well-being.
Driven by a strong belief in service and collaboration, Ly founded her community’s first UNICEF chapter, organizing advocacy and fundraising efforts supporting underserved children nationwide. She also serves as vice president of the Mock Trial Club and as a delegate and secretary for the Model United Nations Club, where she has earned multiple awards for leadership and engagement on global issues. In addition to her academic and leadership accomplishments, Ly is a dedicated field hockey player and creative artist whose poetry was published in the American Library of Poetry’s 2025 anthology. Through graphic design, writing and storytelling, she uses creativity as a tool to inspire empathy, connection and positive change.
“I want every student to feel heard, valued and empowered to make a difference,” Ly said. “Whether I am advocating for equity, collaborating with district leaders or supporting my peers, I believe student voices have the power to create meaningful change. I am honored to serve as Student Trustee and look forward to helping ensure all students feel represented and supported.”
Student trustees have preferential voting rights, meaning their votes are recorded in meeting minutes but do not count toward the final numerical outcome of board decisions. They can make motions, second motions and place items on the agenda with support from another board member.
San Diego Unified created student trustee positions in 2019 to ensure authentic student voice in board decision-making, adding a second position in 2022. Under district policy, at least one student trustee must attend a high school with 60 percent or higher free and reduced lunch program eligibility.
The student trustees receive the same $1,914.42 monthly compensation as adult board members and vote on agenda items alongside the seven-member board. Their role aligns with the district’s Student Outcomes Focused Governance approach, which prioritizes transparency, accountability and keeping students at the center of all decision-making.