RICARDO DE ROSAS with Stephanie Heflin, assistant superintendent of secondary education in the Garden Grove Unified School District (Tribune photo).

By Amberly Nguyen
Orange County Tribune

Ricardo De Rosas, a student at Rancho Alamitos High School, was chosen as the student representative at the Garden Grove Unified School District Board of Education meeting Tuesday night.

An incoming senior at Rancho Alamitos, De Rosas aspires to study chemistry at UCLA and pursue a career in medicine. De Rosas described his goals for the upcoming term as straightforward: building a more engaging campus community across the district’s schools. To add on, he intends to demonstrate his own dedication by actively collaborating with campus leadership and giving his full effort for students the best he can.

“One of my goals is to get students more engaged,” De Rosas said. “I think that’s something that I’ve kind of encountered my whole life: giving rather than taking. So anytime that I can give my time, any time that I can give help, anything.”

De Rosas’ motivation for stepping into public service came from a passion and helping others. He expresses that it is a part of his personality.

“Something that motivated me to pursue this role was definitely my passion,” De Rosas said. “I think that it’s just something that I would honestly do even if I’m not receiving anything back.”

De Rosas helps others without expecting a reward and has motivated his involvement throughout his high school career.
He explained that his fulfillment in lifting up his peers became a characteristic of his approach to the leadership position.
“I think it’s something that I just always — I always have a big smile helping others,” De Rosas said. “I think that’s just a part of me that I’ve grown.”

Following his introduction Tuesday night, the school board members officially welcomed De Rosas as the student representative for GGUSD students. He says he will spend the upcoming school year attending meetings and collaborating with board members to elevate student voices across the district.