Trustee gives students a voice

By Michelle Hatfield
mhatfield@modbee.com

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As a teenager among adult educators, Thalia Soto holds her own.

Though she's a bit quiet around her elders, Soto is very active in Modesto high schools and doesn't shy away from her job as a voice for students.

Soto, 17, is the sole student trustee on the Modesto City Schools Board of Education. She attends monthly board meetings. Though she doesn't have a vote on action taken by the board, she's there to offer the student perspective and help trustees stay connected to students. She also hands out plaques to district students recognized at each meeting for character traits like courage and perseverance.

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The Johansen High School senior also serves as student body president, holds inter-high school meetings to make sure she's up to speed on what's happening at Modesto's other high schools, and is a member of various clubs, such as the Future Business Leaders of America and the American Cancer Society youth group.

The oldest of three daughters, mild-mannered Soto loves listening to metal rock bands like Disturbed and watching sports like boxing and martial arts.

Q: How did you become a student leader?

A: I've always been interested in being a leader. I've been in student government since fifth grade -- I helped establish a student council (at Fairview Elementary). ... It's important because not everyone seems interested these days. We need people to represent others. (Back at Fairview), everyone wanted to be a part of it, but no one wanted to actually do it.

Q: What do you enjoy about being involved?

A: I like doing the many activities at school. For an example. I like meeting a lot of new people, learning about a lot of things, getting things done.

Q: How did you become the Modesto City Schools student trustee?

A: There was an interview process and an application as well. A panel interviewed students. ... I tried my junior year and didn't get it, so I tried again.

Q: What do you see as your role on the board?

A: My role is just to get the (high) schools unified as far as community service and united (because) like in sports, we're always competing against each other. I represent them to the board.

Q: What do you enjoy the most about being a student trustee?

A: Meeting other people, learning things teens my age wouldn't normally know. In (student government), you learn things about the school; here, you learn about the bigger issues.

Q: What's your least favorite thing about being a student trustee?

A: I don't think I dislike anything. Sometimes it can be hard, the time required, but that's not very often.

Q: What are your plans after high school?

A: I want to go to a four-year college. I don't know which one. I applied to like 14 colleges. I'll go to whatever is most convenient. For a career, I'm debating whether I want to go into business or medicine. ... If it's business, I want to do international business; if it's medicine, I want to be an anesthesiologist.

Q: What is your dream job?

A: Something where I can travel a lot because I love traveling, meeting new people ... being able to communicate and help others, not just in this country.

Q: What's your favorite thing about living in Modesto?

A: It's not so crazy as big cities, but you can find something to do if you want to.

Q: What's your least favorite thing about living in Modesto?

A: The weather. It's too hot. I get really drowsy and really sleepy during the day.

Q: How would you describe yourself?

A: I'm very determined. I always stay positive, optimistic about everything. I'm almost ambitious -- in the good way. I may not have perfect grades (grade point average is above 4.0), but I still continue doing more.

Bee staff writer Michelle Hatfield can be reached at mhatfield@modbee.com or 578-2339.