Student Representatives

2024-2025

Emely Madai Herrera – Elizabeth High School – Frank J. Cicarell Academy
Josselyn Jaramillo – John E. Dwyer Technology Academy
Mia Sophia Matos – Alexander Hamilton Preparatory Academy
Jeissy D. Chavez – JVJ STEM Academy
Christ Julien Oltario Villard – Admiral William F. Halsey, Jr. Health & Public Safety Academy
Marsida Bila – Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy
Jasmeli Cruz – Thomas A. Edison Career & Technical Academy
Jasiyah Yvonne Holley – J. Christian Bollwage Finance Academy

Alondra Calva Giron is currently the valedictorian for her senior class and hopes to help students achieve their goals. She is the president of the student government and recently had the honor of receiving the Princeton Prize Award in Race Relations for helping advance racial equity in Elizabeth. Calva Giron is a Student Success Center Fellow for the Student Success Center from Make the Road NJ, in which she assists fellow peers in completing college and financial aid applications. After school, she is a Youth Power Project Leader for the Youth Power Project, a group of high school students who fight for equity in their community. In the future, she plans to attend Johns Hopkins University to pursue a career in education, made possible through her support systems at Dwyer.

Ashley Giraldo

Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy

Ashley Giraldo has shown tremendous dedication to helping others. She is currently the treasurer of student government club at Jefferson Arts Academy and continues to be an active leader in the St. Jude's Foundation, having raised $3,000 for the foundation in the Spring of 2023, surpassing the goal by $500. Giraldo maintains a 4.3 GPA while being enrolled in three AP courses and remaining in the top 2% of her graduating class. She has been attending fashion workshops at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York since seventh grade and achieved one of her goals by being accepted as a student there beginning in the Fall of 2024. Giraldo was recently selected to be a part of the Mark Cuban Foundation Artificial Intelligence Bootcamp, learning about AI and its impact on social media, smart home assistance, facial recognition, and self-driving cars. She continues to be a strong, yet gentle, voice for her school community, bringing the concerns of others to the school government club while involving school administration. She also always makes sure everyone's needs are met whether it is food or clothing collections or academic interventions.

Ingrid Osorio

Admiral William F. Halsey, Jr. Healthy & Public Safety Academy

Over the past 3 years since transferring from New York, Ingrid Osorio has remained diligent and worked hard to earn a very impressive 4.3 GPA. Along with her excellent academic record, she has been a member of the MCJROTC program for the past two years, earning many awards with her team. Osorio is president of the National Honor Society and is on the varsity swim team, earning the coveted captain role her senior year. Next year, Osorio will begin her journey at the college level, having earned a full tuition scholarship to Kean University. She plans to study Education with the ultimate career goal of becoming a bilingual teacher.

Jeremiah Laporte

Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson (JVJ) STEM Academy

Jeremiah LaPorte possesses not only kindness and compassion but also remarkable leadership abilities. One of his notable accomplishments is his active involvement in JVJ STEM Academy's fundraising committee, where his dedication and resourcefulness significantly contributed to the school's success. Serving as the Chair of the JVJ STEM Academy Ambassadorship Community, LaPorte effectively bridged communication between students and administration, ensuring that student voices were valued and heard. His commitment to supporting his peers academically is admirable. LaPorte initiated and organized a peer tutoring program that has provided invaluable assistance to students in need. Additionally, his creation of a Buddy System facilitated the smooth integration of new students into the JVJ STEM Academy community, fostering a sense of welcome and support from the start. Beyond his school community, LaPorte 's influence extends as a national motivational speaker, advocate, and poet, with impactful appearances including engagements at the NJ Senate. His academic achievements are equally impressive, as he approaches his studies with rare seriousness and enthusiasm. LaPorte 's excellence in coursework and genuine passion for learning are evident in his insightful contributions to class discussions and his ability to connect concepts across disciplines. He is an exceptional student who embodies outstanding leadership, kindness, and dedication to both academics and community betterment.

Maria Zavala

Thomas A. Edison Career & Technical Academy

As a top-ranked senior and member of the National Honor Society, Maria Zavala serves in Student Government and the Senior Advisory Committee. She has been described by her teachers as someone who is patient, friendly and ambitious with a positive attitude. Zavala is currently enrolled in the cosmetology program and has set a goal to pursue a nursing track after graduating. She has applied to Montclair State University, Union College, St. Peter’s University, and Siena College.

Pricilla Ann Jimenez

Alexander Hamilton Preparatory Academy

Pricilla Ann Jimenez has served in various leadership positions throughout her high school career. As a freshman, she was elected president of her class council. As a sophomore, she was elected secretary of student government while also serving as president of the sophomore class council. As a junior, Jimenez served as secretary for student government. As a senior, she proudly serves as president of student government at Hamilton Preparatory Academy and was the head coordinator of Back to School Night in September. During her junior year, Jimenez was awarded first place for her essay entry in the Association of Black Women Lawyers of New Jersey Essay Contest. She also serves as a student-athlete as a key member of the Elizabeth girls tennis team, a member of the AVID leadership club, and a member of the Elizabeth High School Speech and Debate team.

Vincent E. Zeferino

Elizabeth High School – Frank J. Cicarell Academy

Vincent E. Zeferino serves as a school improvement panel member at EHS – FJC where he takes an active role working with teachers, parents, and administration to improve teaching and learning. He is a member of student government and the National Honor Society and has also been recognized by the College Board as an AP Scholar for passing three or more advanced placement exams. He has a passion for serving his school and community and the school administration feels great pride that he will be representing EHS – FJC as their student representative of the Elizabeth Board of Education.