EDUCATION Claremont COURIER/Friday, February 10, 2017 9

Teen represents San Antonio, trades shyness for leadership

T
revor Schwartza newly-retired
representative to the school
boardis a continuation high
school student, and a Claremont Unified
School District success story.
The two are far from mutually exclu-
sive, but Trevor didnt know that when
after an illness left him short of
creditshe landed at San Antonio High
School the second semester of his sopho-
more year.
My parents were really upset, because
of the stigma the school has, Trevor said.
Trevor was apprehensive too, even
though he had hardly thrived at his former
school. At Claremont High School, I had
nothing going on. I wasnt part of any-
thing. I wasnt well known. I was intimi-
dated and stayed at the back of the class,
he said
In less than a week it became evident
that Trevor, now a senior, was in the right
place.
At San Antonio, I liked the classroom
sizes, the personality of the kids and the
personality of the teachersthe fact that
teachers want to help you grow and get
back on track.
SAHS was the perfect place for
Trevor, his older sister Kim Noyes
agreed.
Before that, he never felt connected to
anything or anyone at school. He was just
a student trying to make it through, Ms. COURIER photo/Steven Felschundneff
Student board member Trevor Schwartz smiles at fellow student board member Danielle Pichay as board president Dave
Noyes said. When he started at San An- Nemer thanks him for his service during the January 19 board of education meeting. Trevor, who will graduate this June,
tonio is when he started loving himself as served on the school board for an unprecedented three semesters.
a student. It was the first time he felt con- Trevor was looking good himself, Trevor liked being student rep so much called Strategies for College Success.
nected and interested in school. thanks to a secret weapon or, more appro- he asked if he could come back for a sec- Hes decided to go to Citrus after he grad-
San Antonio High School Principal priately, some armor he used to get past ond term. He returned for a third term this uates, figuring community college is a
Sean Delgado was determined to push that first meeting. Wanting to make a good fall, at the request of the board. good place to decide what he wants to do.
Trevor, who he said was very much a kid impression, he wore the nicest suit he San Antonio High School Principal Mr. Delgado has no doubt Trevor will
in his shell, past his comfort zone. He could find. It was his first suit but. since Sean Delgado and a few board members be a success in college, in part because the
began by urging the teen to enroll in stu- then, he has acquired a dozen. I kind of told Trevor his lengthy tenure is unprece- confidence being student rep to the school
dent government. became obsessed with suits, he said. dented. I didnt know what the word board has instilled in him.
Joining ASB was an amazing deci- After the first couple of school board meant before then, he laughed. Hes learned to speak in public and in-
sion, Trevor said. Its a place where I meetings, Trevor said, I really got into it. At the February 2 school board meet- terface with everyone in the community,
can openly share my ideas. I dont feel It became second nature to me. ing, Trevor passed the torch to San Anto- Mr. Delgado said. Hes outgrown the po-
like Im going to be criticized or talked Trevor has thrown himself into a num- nios new student rep, RayYana sition and I feel like hes outgrown the
about. ber of other extracurricular activities, from Davidson. New student rep Maissoun school. Hes ready for something on a col-
Impressed with his fledgling leadership Key Club and school site council to a spot Hussein from CHS also took her place on legiate level. Trevor has the world at his
skills, Mr. Delgado called the teen over on the SAHS flag football team. He man- the dais. fingertips, he just needs to grab it.
the summer to ask if he would serve as ages to have fun amid his commitments, Trevor is embarking on a new under- Sarah Torribio
San Antonios student representative to but dont expect to find him in the party taking, taking a Citrus College course storribio@claremont-courier.com
the school board. circuit. His pursuits include drawing tes-
I didnt really have a choice, Trevor sellations, artwork consisting of repeating
clarified. He said, You are the student patterns, and arguing philosophy.
board member. I was nervous. I wasnt I also do a lot of math. I try to solve
used to being in a position where Im unsolvable math problems, Trevor said.
looked up at and things are expected of I try to do the impossible. Thats my
me. Ive always been terrified of public hobby.
speaking. While on the job, Trevor became
But Mr. Delgado told him he had what known for being dependable and friendly.
it takes to be great. I trust him, so I de- I thought it was good for Trevor and
cided to go along with it, Trevor said. good for the school district. He was very
After being sworn in, it was time for enthusiastic about the role and he paid at-
Trevor to deliver his first report on the do- tention to a lot of the details, Board Pres-
ings of several schools in the district, in- ident Dave Nemer said.
cluding his own. Trevors dapper attire didnt escape Mr.
He took a deep breath and launched Nemers notice. I dont know where he
into his report. Trevor not only survived gets the closet space, Mr. Nemer joked
the experience, but enjoyed it, particularly at the January 19 meeting where the
the chance to update the board on events school board bid Trevor a fond goodbye.
at SAHS. The board also saluted Danielle Pichay
That was one of the most amazing after her term as Claremont High Schools
moments, he said. I felt like I was say- student rep, but took special pains to send
ing something relevant that was good to- Trevor off with a flourish. After all, the
ward my school. I want to move past the SAHS senior is the districts longest-run-
stigma and see the school look better. ning student representative.