On Thursday, November 9, 2023, at a Special Board Meeting, the Allentown School District Board of Directors recognized students from each of the District’s three high schools who will represent their learning communities at board meetings during the 2023-2024 school year.
These students will join fellow ASD board members at regular board meetings, education/finance committee meetings, the Allentown School District Foundation, and the city’s Human Relations Commission committee meetings. Student representatives are asked to provide updates on positive things in their schools or upcoming events that are important to the school culture and climate.
At the meeting, ASD board members expressed gratitude towards the students who will share their voices with the public. Students who applied for this role were interviewed by administrators and board members earlier this month.
We are excited to introduce you to this year’s student representatives!
REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD REPRESENTATIVES
William Allen High School senior Jamir Chatman returns for his third term as a representative to the board. Jamir is a member of the entrepreneurship club and volleyball team. Outside of school, he has volunteered at Country Meadows of Allentown, a retirement community. His hobbies include photography, listening to music, cooking, and gardening. After graduation, he would like to become a real estate agent.
Allison Morales will serve as the alternate board rep for William Allen High School. She is a current senior who is a part of the Student Government Association, Key Club, Canaries for Life, JROTC, and Prayer Club. Outside of Allen, she is also heavily involved in her church youth group, worship practice, and prayer nights. She enjoys singing, writing, playing volleyball, and leading events. Allison is keeping her post-graduate plans open at this time.
Nina Rivera is excited to be the primary board representative for Dieruff High School. Nina is a leader at Dieruff High School, serving as the president of Dieruff’s Debate Team, and the Lieutenant Governor of Division 16 for The Pennsylvania District Key Club. She is also a member of the Multicultural Leadership Club, National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, and Science Honor Society. Outside of school, Nina enjoys writing poetry and prose as a form of creative self-expression. She also collects vinyl records of her favorite artists. After graduation, she plans to obtain her undergraduate degree in psychology and pursue medical school to become a licensed psychiatrist. Nina will also serve as the Alternate for the Education/ Finance/ Committee of the Whole Meetings.
Junior Kimberly Arias returns for her second term as the primary meeting representative for Building 21 High School. Kimberly is currently attending classes at Lehigh Carbon Community College as part of the Early College program. She is a part of the William Allen High School Girls Basketball team. In her downtime, she enjoys reading. After high school, Kimberly plans to study business in college and wants to continue to play basketball at St, Peter’s College.
Irialny Rodriguez Henriquez will serve as the alternate board rep for Building 21 High School. She is a sophomore who belongs to the Debate Club and hopes to study to become a judge either here or in her native Dominican Republic. In her spare time she finds calm by baking and journaling. She also serves on the Superintendent’s Advisory Council.
EDUCATION/FINANCE COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVES
Senior at William Allen High School, Alfonso Jaquez, will serve as the primary representative for the Education/ Finance / Committee of the Whole Meetings. Alfonso is very involved in extracurricular activities at Allen, as a part of DECA, NJROTC, Track & Field, Key Club, Debate Club, Theater, SGA, and National Honor Society. His other interests include music, theatre, sports, and linguistic studies. After graduation, he plans to join the US Navy as a commissioned officer through the United States Naval Academy, majoring in cyber operations. After 5 years of service as a commissioned officer, he can use his knowledge of engineering in the supply chain management field.
Demiya Blakey is a senior at William Allen High School who will serve as the alternate for the Education/ Finance / Committee of the Whole Meetings. She is a member of the girls volleyball team and Dance Academy. She is a member of the House of God Church. After graduation, she wants to study to become an FBI agent or a judge.
Dieruff High School junior, Cayden Sprayberry, will be the primary representative for the Education/ Finance / Committee of the Whole Meetings. Last year, he served as an alternate for the Allentown School District Foundation Meetings and was a member of the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council. He is a member of the Varsity Swim Team, Chess Club, Scholastic Scrimmage, and Debate Team. As a member of the National Honor Society, he will participate in various service projects this year. Cayden will also serve as the alternate for the Regular Board Meetings.
Andrik Lopez is a junior at Building 21 High School and is the primary representative for board committee meetings. He is a part of the school art club, the 21st Century Program, and Student Advisory Council. He enjoys music and would like to attend college to study art and music.
Sophomore Josiah Haynes will be the alternate representative for the Education/ Finance / Committee of the Whole Meetings from Building 21 High School. Josiah is a member of the B21 Dungeons and Dragons Club, Upward Bound, and enjoys art and drawing in his free time. After high school, he would like to attend college to study engineering. He also serves on the Superintendent’s Advisory Council.
ASD FOUNDATION REPRESENTATIVES
William Allen High School sophomore Kiara Larrama, will serve as the primary representative to the Allentown School District Foundation. Kiara has a passion for the arts and is involved in the WAHS choir, drama, theater club, orchestra, and chorale. She is also a member of the Girl's Soccer & Tennis Teams. Outside of school, she is involved in Girl Scouts, Upward Bound, her church choir, and Camp Compass. She also enjoys reading, baking, and painting. She is interested in exploring a career path that would provide her with stability (such as an elementary teacher or pediatrician) but also allows her to continue with her creative passion by teaching drama or acting in musical theater.
Janiya Santos, a current junior at William Allen High School will serve as the alternate representative to the Allentown School District Foundation Board. She is a member of the William Allen Dance Academy. Outside of school, she enjoys singing, writing, and cooking. She would like to go to a four-year college to study criminology or criminal justice, and dance.
Jade Wilson, a junior, will serve as the primary representative to the Allentown School District Foundation Board from Dieruff High School. Jade is a member of Husky Harmony Choir and Debate Team. She is a BigFuture Ambassador and regularly donates and volunteers with her mother at the Mission. She enjoys puzzles and board games that challenge her mind. Jade’s post graduate plans include attending Spelman College as a pre-law major with a sociology minor. She will also serve as the alternate representative for the Human Relations Commission.
Building 21 High School sophomore, Tayshawn Johnson will serve as the primary representative to the Allentown School District Foundation. Tayshawn writes for the Building 21 Literary Magazine and enjoys the arts, reading, and writing. He plans to attend college after graduation. He also serves on the Superintendent’s Advisory Council.
Promyse Swift-Ford, will serve as the alternate to the Allentown School District Foundation Board from Building 21 High School. Promyse is a sophomore who is a part of the Allentown Youth Internship Corps. She also serves on the Superintendent’s Advisory Council. Her favorite subject is math, and after high school, she is considering studying nursing or cosmetology.
HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION REPRESENTATIVES
Grace McEwan is a sophomore at William Allen High School, who will serve as the primary representative for the City of Allentown’s Human Relations Commission. Grace is a member of student government, Stage Crew, and plays on the Girls Tennis Team. She volunteers at a cat shelter as a way to give back to her local community. Grace enjoys playing tennis, volleyball and playing piano. After graduating from William Allen, she plans to attend college to study accounting or finance.
Molly Giordano, a sophomore, will serve as the alternate representative to the Allentown School District Foundation from William Allen High School. Molly is a member of the Varsity Volleyball team at WAHS. She has a passion for all things food, especially baking. Molly also volunteers with her grandmother at the Catholic Charities soup kitchen. She is still exploring post graduate options, but would like to have a career in the food service or hospitality industry.
Jeremyah Arroyo, a junior at Dieruff High School, is the primary representative for the Allentown School District Foundation Board. Jeremyah is in the Health and Medical Science Program at LCTI and the President of Committees and Fundraising of HOSA, a group for aspiring healthcare professionals. At Dieruff, he is a multi-sport athlete, on both the soccer and track team. He is also a member of the National Honor Society. He plans to get his EMT license to obtain college credits and eventually pursue a career as a doctor. His creative passions include owning his own clothing brand, which you can follow on Instagram @CloudedDreams.co. Jeremyah will also serve as the alternate for the Human Relations Committee Meetings.
Illianys DeLeon Rivera is a junior at Building 21 who is a passionate advocate for the homeless population. This year she helped found the school’s new Dance Club. She is also a member of the Art Club. After high school, she hopes to study performing arts and business.
Bryan Gonzalez Cruz - is a senior at Building 21 who is part of the Art and Dance Clubs. He participates in the 21st Century after-school program. Bryan enjoys music and taking drives in nature. He hopes to continue his education after graduation, studying art and business.