On Tuesday, October 21, Glendale Unified School District hosted the first Student Voice Panel of the 2025–26 school year in the newly renovated cafeteria at Crescenta Valley High School. More than a dozen student leaders representing each of the district’s five high schools shared their perspectives on topics ranging from mental health and campus belonging to academic rigor, campus safety and student engagement.

Moderated by Crescenta Valley High School junior and ASB secretary Brett Midgley, the evening featured thoughtful discussion among the GUSD Board of Education and the student panelists. The participants included: Bushra Alam, Allen Matevosyan, and Izabella Murzyowski from Clark Magnet High School; Cat Milner, Sena Hunter, and Aleks Tanosian from Crescenta Valley High School; Alberto Lopez, Stella Khachatorian, and Izabela Petrosyan from Glendale High School; Evangelina Romanova, Kayleen Shavian, and Arad Taherkhani from Hoover High School; Kathryn Buser and Penelope Lusparyan from Vergudo Academy and Anahit Tonoian from Daily High School. 

The discussion topics and panel questions were developed collaboratively by members of the 2025-2026 GUSD Student Advisory Council and focused on themes such as student wellness, academic balance, extracurricular access, and representation in decision-making. Board of Education members and district administrators were in attendance to listen, take notes, and engage directly with students throughout the discussion.

The conversation covered additional topics like the importance of teaching students various aspects of life skills beyond basic financial literacy such as filing taxes and taking out loans, and issues specific to immigrant students like assisting with residency questions when filling out forms and how to better help students newly arrived from other countries. 

“Thank you students. This is very informative,” said Board President Ingrid Gunell. “You’re not only here for your grade levels but you’re here for your siblings and the next generation. Your influence is going to go on in perpetuity.”  

“There’s nothing more important to me as a district superintendent than hearing student voices. That informs our practice the most. You guys did an amazing job,” said District Superintendent Darneika Watson. “We’ve heard a lot tonight. We’re taking copious notes and we’ll continue to work with the Board of Education and our staff to see how to make things better and make sure that you’re able to see the changes that we discussed here.”

The Student Voice Panel series is part of Glendale Unified’s ongoing commitment to ensuring that every student feels seen, heard, and supported. Panels are held twice per school year and the meetings are open to families, educators, and community members who wish to learn more about the student experience in Glendale Unified schools.

The next Student Voice Panel is scheduled for March 17, 2026.