As the 2024-2025 school year comes to an end, it is also a shift into what’s ahead. Stepping into their leadership comes two determined students: ASB President Rick Iniguez and Vice President Aliya Guzman, who both bring in their creativity, knowledge, vision, and excitement to make the next school year a success at the Islands.
At a time of transition, being a leader is highly important and the Channel Islands ASB Team comes in together quick and ready.
Iniguez, a junior, loves to play tennis and enjoys socializing with friends both inside and outside of school. He first joined ASB when he was a sophomore, as he was encouraged to do so by a friend at that time.
“I kept showing up because of the good connections I was building,” he shared.
Throughout the last two years, Iniguez has worked very hard for ASB as he has shown his extraordinary determination in the making of rallies, activities, and many other school events. With a new role to fill, unrecognized pressure builds in—and becoming a leader means taking accountability and responsibility for everything that happens within the student body no matter the good or bad.
“I must not overlook things and make sure everything is done correctly as well as keeping track that we are constantly following protocols,” he shared.
His job requires lots of work ethic and a lot of time and effort into organizing, planning, and staying in contact not only with students but with staff as well.
One of Iniguez’s main goals for next year, however, is to become the best leader he could be to the student body. His priorities lie on having more students join ASB next year in hopes to make CI’s rising seniors more involved in school activities.
“One of my main goals as President is to become, most importantly, a friend to underclassmen,” he said. “I want to make ASB a place in which students could see as a home too, I wish to have everyone interact as much as possible. I want everyone to feel welcomed, that’s including our incoming freshmen.”
“He has always been very active in ASB. He’s smart, thoughtful and a very good kid,” shared ASB Director Mr. Brett Zielsdorf (Mr. Z).
Although there is not much yet to spoil, he is ready to make a change and already plans on how to make his goals as President possible, just as much as the new Vice President.
Guzman, a junior, loves to bake, crochet, and play the ukulele. She shows lots of interest in subjects such as criminology and psychology. Guzman first joined ASB during her freshman year as she wanted to try new things for herself and how that would come up as a result. For the last two years she has taken a hold of an officer position. She shares that her new role as Vice President involves working a lot more with the President and his duties, as well as taking over when he can’t. She also explains she will be a source of guidance to students both in and out of ASB.
As much as Iniguez, Guzman’s role in leadership shapes in taking into account the students’ opinions and being highly inclusive with everyone as much as it can be possible. She shares that her main goal is to bring back the Raider Spirit.
“I want to make a change within our school spirit. I want everyone to look forward to a good year and feel satisfied with our work,” she said.
Guzman demonstrates a great care for what students hope to see and want. She truly believes her new role is the perfect opportunity to enhance her abilities when solving big issues, gain different perspectives, and be understanding of so much of the things that are out there.
“In the upcoming year, I want to be a great leader and person. I want to greet everyone and anyone with a smile on my face because that’s how I would want others to feel: good and welcomed,” she concluded.
“Aliya is brilliant; she’s always balanced out a lot but everything she does comes out well,” Mr. Z said. “She’s intelligent, a good leader, and I can’t wait to see her do great things with ASB.”
Not only are both Iniguez and Guzman ready for what is next but so is Mr. Z. He shows excitement and joy for what could be expected: “Both kids are always willing to listen to what the students want, they show strong determination for the betterment of the school,” he shared, as he strongly believes these qualities make them just the right people to hold those titles.
With their passion and with purpose, Iniguez and Guzman are only getting started but have so many bright ideas for a good 2025-2026 school year. Both share similar goals, values, and work ethics which make them a great team for the making of a great experience at the Islands for everyone to enjoy.
In addition to Iniguez and Guzman, other overall ASB officers for 2025-2026 will be Osbaldo Gutierrez (treasurer), Megan Ednalino (secretary) and Kristine Cueva (publicist).
