Victoria Martinez Penaranda, a senior at Alta Vista Middle College, has been appointed as the first student board member from a nontraditional high school in the Santa Barbara Unified School District. - She transferred from San Marcos High to Alta Vista a year ago, where she found a better fit.
- She founded the Wellness Connection Club to support student mental health and teaches free yoga. - She serves on the Youth Advocacy Board at YouthWell and speaks openly about mental health.
- Superintendent Hilda Maldonado praised her as a champion for mental wellness and student needs.