Earlier this month, Woodland Joint Unified School District Trustee Deborah Bautista Zavala was honored with the Champion Estrella Award by the Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
According to a WJUSD press release, each year, the Chamber of Commerce honors exceptional women from the Sacramento region who are leading the way in demonstrating excellence, creativity, and initiative in their professions and contributing to improving the lives of others in their communities.
Bautista Zavala, the Area One trustee, was among four women honored during the annual Latina Estrella Awards ceremony in Sacramento on Dec. 7. She was recognized for her community work as vice president of the WJUSD school board and for her job serving as Chief Deputy to Board of Equalization Board member Tony Vazquez, representing the Southern California - Los Angeles region.
"I was very humbled and honored to receive this recognition," Bautista Zavala stated. "As a WJUSD Trustee, I am proud to serve our students and families and to be one of the trusted community members who our residents know will make effective decisions for Woodland youth. As Chief Deputy at the California Board of Equalization, I find pride in being entrusted by a state-elected constitutional officer to lead and manage his team and to help ensure the state is meeting its needs to all of our residents."
District Superintendent Elodia Ortega-Lampkin congratulated Bautista Zavala for her recognition.
"Trustee Bautista Zavala has been a staunch advocate for all students and families," Ortega-Lampkin stated. "I'm proud to see her honored for her leadership, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to our community."
In 2020, she co-chaired a school facility bond campaign to successfully pass Measure Y, which will provide $44 million to improve WJUSD school facilities.
"Having co-chaired a successful Measure Y bond campaign committee, I celebrate and stand forever grateful to each committee member and volunteer for the hard work dedicated to educate voters on the measure and get out the vote," stated Bautista Zavala during a 2021 board meeting recognizing all of the individuals who helped pass Measure Y. "Attaining the passage of a $44.2 million school facilities bond to upgrade the district's schools, after more than 20 years and during a pandemic — was not easy,"
Bautista Zavala, a Woodland native, has served on the school board since 2018. Her current term will expire in Dec. 2026.
"I was born and raised in Woodland," said Bautista Zavala. "From being a product of Woodland schools to raising my two daughters in Woodland, I've stayed committed to the advancement of our region through contributing and collaborating on many projects, programs, and services for our youth, both locally and statewide. I am inspired every day to serve our students and staff on the WJUSD Board of Trustees and to continue contributing to the best of my abilities."
For those interested in community service, Bautista Zavala advises serving on their local school board.
"I encourage all those interested in serving their community to consider running for their school board," she said. "As a school board member, we must be able to join together and work alongside parents, families, teachers, district staff, stakeholders, and local and state government to achieve success for our youth."
No comments:
Post a Comment