AHS student Aralyn Goldsmith was appointed as the New Mexico Representative for the first-ever National Student Council (NSC) this year. The NSC, a program led by the National Association of Secondary School Principals, meets virtually once a month to discuss student issues nationwide and explore ways to advocate effectively for peers.
Throughout the year, members participated in extensive advocacy training in preparation for the NSC’s Advocacy Summit in Washington, D.C. Alongside approximately 400 school principals, the council engaged in numerous meetings with senators, congressmen, and congresswomen at the Capitol. They presented a legislative agenda emphasizing the importance of funding for Title I, II, and IV, as well as advocating for increased support for Career and Technical Education (CTE) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) programs.
During the summit, Aralyn met with staffers from Senator Ben Ray Luján (NM), Senator Patty Murray (WA), and Congresswoman Kim Schrier (WA). The experience was invaluable, providing an opportunity to ensure student voices were heard at the national level.
