Reyes received her appointment from Gov. Ralph DLG Torres on Dec. 9.
“I am pleased to appoint you to serve as a non-voting member of the State Board of Education to represent public school students,” the governor told her. “Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios and I are confident that you will be an asset to the board and will devote your time and efforts to represent the interests of our Commonwealth and the students of the CNMI Public School System. Your willingness to serve our people in this capacity is greatly appreciated.”
In an interview, Reyes said the appointment will allow her to advocate for students.
She said she will bring the students’ perspective to any BOE discussion that may concern them.
“Although I do feel the pressure of the responsibilities as student rep, I want to ensure that I will do my best and uphold them and advocate for the right reasons,” Reyes said in an email to Variety.
She said she will focus on policy changes that can benefit students.
These may include “a small change in the grading system; longer breaks that could give both teachers and students, who have worked tirelessly through this new system, a chance to de-stress; and any other change that seems necessary and worth pushing forward,” she added.
According to BOE Chairwoman Janice Tenorio, PSS students elect their representative to the board who is then appointed by the governor.
“It is critical that we have a student rep as he or she is the voice of the students,” Tenorio said. “We want to hear the concerns and issues — be it major or minor — of students.”
Reyes participates in various extracurricular activities. She is vice president of service for the National Honor Society, secretary of the Student Council, a JROTC staff member, and secretary of the Youth Advisory Panel.
