Candidate for
Board Member; Sweetwater Union High School District; Seat 2

A 12-year veteran of the Sweetwater Union High School District Board of Trustees, Pearl Quiñones was the first Latina ever elected to the school board. With a population that is 85% diverse, her election was welcomed as an embrace to the largely Latino student population.

Her leadership has brought systemic change to two of the greatest challenges facing Latino youth--childhood obesity and teenage pregnancy.

Ms. Quiñones helped spearhead an initiative to address childhood obesity in creative, culturally sensitive ways. Over the last five years, the Sweetwater District has successfully implemented grant-funded strategies to increase student activity in physical education classes, the student pass rate on the state FitnessGram physical fitness assessment, improvement in school food offerings by creating lower-fat, yet tasty versions of cafeteria fare; and informing parents of healthy nutritional practices. Through the California Endowment, Sweetwater schools on the west side of Chula Vista are working with feeder elementary schools to nurture healthy living "advocates." Parents and students are creating campaigns to change the food offerings at local, independent grocery stores. Rather than providing aisle upon aisle of high-fat, low nutrition junk food, parents and students are challenging these stores to meet their needs. All of these strategies have contributed to the success of Sweetwater's Health Initiative, a campaign to improve the health and fitness of both students and staff members.

In Sweetwater District cafeterias low-fat milk has replaced regular milk. All deep fryers were removed from school kitchens. Potato products, burritos and corn dogs are baked, not fried. Schools installed vending machines that sell purely healthful snacks, such as fruit, baked chips and 100% juices.

Ms. Quiñones brought these best practices from state and national organizations such as the National Appointed Latino Elected Officials (NALEO), Hispanas Organized for Political Equity (HOPE) Leadership Institute and the National Hispanic Leadership Institute. Her efforts in this area led to her being named by NALEO to its 2006 California Health Leadership Program and inclusion in the yearlong research report Call to Action, San Diego County Childhood Obesity Action Plan by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors.

Ms. Quiñones advocacy for teenage pregnancy prevention strengthened the Sweetwater District's efforts in this area. An active community task force meets regularly to implement awareness activities throughout the district's 25 middle schools and high schools. Key among them is the annual participation of students in the National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. This online quiz offer different real-life scenarios students may encounter on the dating scene. At-risk students take part in programs such as the Male Involvement Program that provides younger adults from the cultural community to work with specific youth in small groups to develop responsible behavior. Her attention to these efforts earned the Sweetwater District a Golden Bell for innovation from the California School Boards Association.

Congressman Bob Filner presented her with a congressional award, recognizing her commitment to the families for the South Bay. She was Vice President of the Executive Board of Directors for the California Latino School Board Members Association, and also served on the Executive Board of Directors for the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials and the Border View YMCA.

Ms. Quiñones is a fellow of the HOPE Institute, one of 22 women selected nationwide to the National Hispana Leadership Institute, served as a delegate to the California School Boards Association and was appointed to the English Language Learners task force for CSBA.

Ms. Quiñones is the first school board member ever to be selected for the executive board of NALEO. She was also appointed Vice President of the Community Youth Athletic Center Executive Board, the first woman to ever serve on the board.

Ms. Quiñones is dedicated to improving education and strongly advocates high student achievement. Her current interest is in pushing for an educational reform-High School Redesign. High School to create Career Pathways at all Middle and High schools and require all students to take college prep classes. High School Redesign is intended to transform today's education to meet the needs of tomorrow's economy.

As a result of Ms. Quinones efforts, High School Redesign is now being implemented at all Middle and High Schools of the Sweetwater District. Now all students will graduate with a diploma and a job skills for greater earning power. Students will be Colllege Ready and Career Ready.

Ms. Quinones served as vice president of the California School Employees Association and was appointed to the California Department of Education Dropout Prevention Board. Her commitment earned her a prestigious Tribute to Women in Industry award from the YWCA of San Diego.

Born and raised in a small farming community in Texas, Pearl was the fourth of five children. Her father had no formal education, and her mother attended school until seventh grade. Pearl graduated from San Diego State University with a bachelor's degree in political science and a master's in public administration. She accomplished all this while being a single mother. Ms. Quiñones spent the majority of her career supporting the most at-risk youth through her work as a dropout prevention specialist for the San Ysidro School District. Her mission and passion has always been to ensure all students have equal access to a quality education, and to empower their parents to be involved advocates for education.

As a result of her efforts, Ms. Quiñones was named a Latina Trailblazer by the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and currently serves as the President of the Board of Trustees for the Sweetwater Union High School District.