A year after transferring from San Marcos High School to Alta Vista Alternative High, Victoria Martinez Penaranda has become the first student board member from a nontraditional high school in the Santa Barbara Unified School District. The incoming senior at Alta Vista Middle College said she hopes to ensure students in alternative education feel represented and included.
“I really hope to make students at alternative education feel represented and really feel like they belong,” Penaranda told the News-Press. “Because we are all one district.” She is the sixth student in district history to hold the position, transitioning from a school with about 2,000 students to one with roughly 100, where she found a stronger sense of community.
Penaranda has become a vocal advocate for student mental health, founding the Wellness Connection Club at Middle College, which aims to foster belonging for students struggling with mental health issues. She has presented the club at junior high schools and family events, and she also teaches free yoga in public parks to make wellness accessible.
Her advisor at YouthWell, Rachael Steidl, praised her willingness to share personal experiences to empower others.
Principal Carlos Cohen noted that Penaranda exemplifies the values of alternative education, capturing the diversity and challenges many students face. “She really exemplifies what we as a program, an alternative education program, stands for,” Cohen said.
“She captures the diversity and the struggles and obstacles that a lot of our kids face.” He saw her confidence grow since her transfer and was not surprised by her selection.
Superintendent Hilda Maldonado introduced Penaranda at the May 19 board meeting, calling her “a true change agent, an extraordinary champion for mental wellness and a dedicated advocate for student needs.” Penaranda succeeds outgoing student board member Taft-Vazquez, who began onboarding her. She hopes to launch a project similar to his high school mentoring program, focusing on connecting students to existing wellness resources at Dos Pueblos and Santa Barbara High.
Board President Bill Banning acknowledged the challenge of following Taft-Vazquez, but expressed confidence in Penaranda, stating, “The shoes are huge to fill. And you know what, I think they’re going to be filled.”