Why do you want to serve in this position?
I grew up in Northborough and graduated from ARHS in 2019. Currently the Vice Chair of the Northborough Diversity and Inclusion Committee, I collaborate on solutions to foster a more welcoming community.
I decided to run for Regional School Committee for two main reasons.
First, students deserve to have their concerns heard and amplified by the School Committee. As a young person of color, I would bring valuable experience and expertise.
Second, I believe the lack of diversity on the committee leaves several blind spots where we should be proactive, rather than reactive. There is a pervasive issue of bullying and racism that occurs in our schools that has not been adequately addressed.
In short, I’m running because we have a good school system, but with a young and diverse perspective, it can be excellent. With my experience in local government and community engagement, I would bring valuable expertise to the committee to help make our schools even better.
What special qualifications and experience will you bring to the office?
I graduated ARHS in 2019 and grew up in Northborough, where I’ve become an active member of our community and local government. Currently the Vice Chair of the Northborough Diversity and Inclusion Committee, I work alongside my fellow committee members to find solutions for equity and inclusion in town.
Beyond my work on the committee, engaging in local government has always been very important to me. I’ve also organized campaigns for state representatives and was a co-organizer for the Black Lives Matter demonstration in Northborough this past summer. And as the Outreach Director of March For Our Lives Metrowest chapter, I worked with other students to organize meetings with our elected officials to collaborate on meaningful policy changes that would make our schools safer.
In high school, I was an editor for the Harbinger, the ARHS student newspaper, where I was able to report on what mattered most to students. I was also a co-founder of the Muslim Student Association that created a safe space for Muslim students to speak on their experiences. I made the most of my time as a student by engaging with my classmates and working towards positive change.
Describe ONE other activity or (sub)committee you’ve been involved with within the town. What has it meant to you and how did it shape and impact the town?
In 2020, I worked with other young residents in town to create an initiative called Vote Northborough. The organization is dedicated to increasing youth voter turnout in municipal elections. We interviewed candidates, researched platforms and data, reviewed finance reports, and synthesized all that information to be shared on social media. We decided it was important to focus on youth voter turnout because young people have important and unique concerns and the best way to change that is by getting involved.
Our efforts directly contributed to a 214% increase in turnout for voters aged 18-24 last year! Our strategies resonated with several young people in surrounding areas and we subsequently expanded the initiative into Shrewsbury, Hudson, and Marlborough.
It was empowering to see the impact of this work because there are so many aspects of local government that touch our daily lives, and for too long, young people have missed the opportunity to be involved.
My greatest takeaway from this experience was that in order to engage young people, we must be proactive and practice outreach. When we say we want to work with students, that is only half of the challenge — we must actively make space for students to speak and then amplify their concerns and take action. As a young person and recent ARHS graduate, I am best qualified to do just that.
Describe THREE key issues/challenges facing the town and how will you address them in this role?
Over the past few months I’ve sought community input on this question and the overwhelming consensus can be described in three top priorities:
- Ensuring an equitable COVID-19 recovery
While the reopening plan will be largely settled by the time I hope to join the committee, I believe the plan should be made in conjunction with teachers, parents, and students, and guided by CDC recommendations to ensure maximum safety. Looking forward, the committee must be proactive in reducing the mental and emotional challenges of the pandemic by ensuring effective mental health resources. As a student, I understand the effect that our rigorous school curriculum demands on the mental health of students. That burden is even heavier now, given the isolation of this past year. When the Regional School Committee reviews this budget this fall, I want to explore how we can reallocate resources to protect and empower our students to build their mental and social health and prioritize wellbeing. - Updating curriculum to provide a just and equitable education
We aren’t having crucial conversations about racial justice and cultural awareness, and student voices have been ignored and silenced for too long. We can begin addressing this with a comprehensive review and update of our curriculum — from mathematics, to english, to health — to prioritize student wellbeing and cultural awareness, and maximize learning benefits, rather than “teaching to the test.” - Empowering and amplifying student voices
Streamlining outreach between the Regional School Committee and students to prioritize and amplify student voices and concerns. We also must actively engage with student representatives to the Committee, consider instating voting rights, and provide a formalized platform for their input.
Is there anything else that you would like to share about yourself?
I have crafted my priorities with input from students, parents, teachers, local elected officials, and community members because I believe that seeking input from all stakeholders is important to ensure that our school district works for everyone.
For each of our priorities, I have devised several solutions because our community doesn’t just need ideas. We need action. I am the only candidate with a comprehensive list of priorities and solutions that is rooted in community input and student empowerment.
We all agree that we have a good school system. But with a young and diverse perspective, we can excel. I hope to earn your support for May 11th so we can put this vision into action!
(photo credit: Dua Ashfaq)