Candidate for
Board Member; Santa Maria Joint Union High School District

I am a resilient idealist. I believe that all citizens benefit when we live by the words of Sir Winston Churchill when he said, "You make a living from what you get. You make a life by what you give." I was taught to be respectful and tolerant of others, to strive to do my best, and to love without conditions. Therefore, I believe that democracy is the ideal framework for building communities. Democracy works best when the populace is educated: the people have the knowledge to take ownership of their government and to hold their representatives accountable. I believe that it is a citizen's responsibility to maintain this political link and his/her strongest ally is the right to vote. I am bothered by the apathy of those who decide not to exercise this right as this undermines the democratic process. Members of democracy must never give up striving for justice and equality for all regardless of race, gender. creed, religion, sexual orientation, or economic status.