Parishi Kanuga, a Grover Cleveland Charter High School student, is calling for more mental health services to address pandemic-related trauma. (photo courtesy of LAUSD)

Parishi Kanuga, an Indian-American student in the Humanities Magnet at Grover Cleveland Charter High School in Reseda, has been selected by her peers as the student representative on the Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education for the next school year.

“I am going to make it my mission to make sure each student has an equal platform to influence decisions in the district,” Parishi said. “I want all students to feel secure, listened to and empowered.”

Calling for more mental health services to address trauma from the pandemic, she also wants more input from students via a monthly survey. At school, she is the president of Model United Nations, and founder of a service club PAGE, which stands for Providing Accessible Guidance in Experience. During summer visits to India, after noticing what she called “the wide gap in education between the middle class and the poor,” she began teaching English to underprivileged children.

“One of the most important things we teach students is that each of them matter,” Los Angeles Unified Superintendent Austin Beutner said. “It’s important we hear the perspective of students in all we do. I look forward to working with student board member Parishi Kanuga in her new role.”

“Congratulations to board member Kanuga on her election,” board President Kelly Gonez said. “I am excited to work with her on behalf of the students and families of Los Angeles Unified. She will be a crucial student voice on the board as we look towards recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.”

For information, visit lausd.net.