On Sept. 4, Assistant Principal (AP) of Student Activities Patricia Pérez released an email to Bonita Vista High (BVH) staff members announcing her official resignation from her role as advisor of the BVH Associated Student Body (ASB). Included in the email was Pérez’s decision to prioritize her overall health and well-being.

After stating the reason for her resignation, Pérez conveyed her gratitude to her former colleagues in the BVH community and thanked them for the year of experience she had on campus.

“I want to thank those of you who embraced me into this family with so much kindness and who have supported me wholeheartedly in my time at BVH,” Pérez stated in her email to all BVH staff members on Sept. 4 at 1:01 p.m.

Pérez initially filled the vacant role during the 2022-2023 school year after former AP of Student Activities, Christopher Alvarez, relocated to Castle Park Middle. On the morning of Sept. 4, Pérez individually contacted the four ASB officers to inform them of her decision. After contacting the officers, Pérez then informed the remaining ASB cabinet members and their families.

“Initially it is a little bit worrying because Pérez did a lot in her job and for the school. We have a plan for the ASB. I feel confident that we will keep going with the support that we have from the rest of the school administration,” ASB secretary and junior Ava Nixon said.

It still remains unclear what the next steps are moving forward to find someone to fulfill the permanent position. ASB Vice President and senior Malyna Castillo reflects on Attendance Coordinator and math teacher Christina Ada temporarily filling the role with the homecoming dance quickly approaching. This is the second consecutive year Ada abruptly takes on the responsibility of AP of Student Activities in the beginning of the school year.

“I think it will be difficult for [alot] of us since the majority of ASB is new and they were still getting to know Pérez. I feel like Ada is the most reliable teacher to help with ASB because she has been involved in it for so many years,” Castillo said.

As a math teacher on campus, Ada is currently not present during the ASB periods, but the Financial Advisor, Leona Jazmine is there everyday with the students. The administrative staff continues to support the ASB through this tough transition. 

“There was a lot of communication between the officers and Pérez. She taught us how to problem solve and [how] to be good leaders. We attended an ASB leadership camp this summer called California Association of Directors of Activities (CADA) where we learned about other schools and what they did,” Castillo said. “At the end of the camp, the four officers and Pérez talked about what we learned and she definitely wanted to make those ideas happen. She believed in us.”