Modesto City Schools is proud to introduce the 2025-26 student representatives to the Board of Education:
Sabrina Toor, an incoming senior at Modesto High School, and
Julianna Garcia, an incoming junior at Grace M. Davis High School.
These student leaders will serve as liaisons between the student body and the Board of Education to ensure student perspectives are part of critical district decisions.
Toor, who describes herself as “tenacious, creative, and exuberant,” is no stranger to advocacy. She credits her younger brother as the first person to inspire her leadership journey.
“Advocating for him taught me that leadership begins with empathy,” Toor said. “That experience laid the foundation for how I will now advocate for thousands of students across Modesto City Schools.”
Passionate about ensuring student voices are not only heard but acted upon, Toor applied for the position, believing advocacy and representation go hand-in-hand. Her past experiences, ranging from legislative testimony to supporting classmates, shaped her understanding of the power of student voice.
“Being a student board representative allows me to be a liaison between students with concerns and the board that provides solutions,” she said.
Toor plans to connect with students across the district by working with the Inter-High Council and Student Advisory Board, visiting school sites, and publishing monthly updates on Schoology. She also aims to launch a districtwide club leader survey to collect student input on academics, mental health, and campus culture.
“I hope to be remembered as someone who empowered others to speak up and helped turn student ideas and concerns into district-level change,” she said.
Outside the boardroom, Toor enjoys reading, cooking, baking and taking walks with her mom. She also finds joy in Bollywood dance, which helps her stay connected to her Indian culture.
Garcia is equally committed to ensuring that student voices are reflected in district-level decisions. Inspired by her parents’ resilience and support, she describes her leadership style as empathetic, purpose-driven, and rooted in listening.
Garcia’s interest in student representation began years ago at Alberta Martone Elementary, where she first learned about the position she will hold during the upcoming school year. As a student board member, she hopes to show students that their perspectives matter and that the district is there to serve them.
In partnership with the Inter-High Council, Garcia plans to launch an initiative called “empoWEr.” The project will feature monthly student-led activities tied to the “Word of the Month,” shaped by feedback from quarterly surveys and in-person school visits.
She also hopes to raise awareness around issues like food insecurity and substance abuse, topics that left a lasting impact on her at the California Association of Student Leaders conference this spring.
“I want to help raise awareness and provide support,” Garcia said. “My goal is to spark change that positively influences the next generation of students.”
Outside her leadership work, Garcia enjoys crocheting as a creative outlet and way to unwind after a long day. She also spends time with her family, explores craft projects and develops her own baking recipes.
This year marks a new chapter in Modesto City Schools’ commitment to student voice. In a recent update to the selection process, the district expanded representation by appointing two student board members instead of one, starting with the 2024-25 school year.
The change has sparked renewed student interest, with 47 applications submitted across seven high schools. Students participated in both site-level and district-level interviews, culminating in the selection of Toor and Garcia by a panel of student leaders from each high school, board members, and a district administrator.
With their dedication, empathy, and vision, Toor and Garcia are ready to amplify student voices and help shape a better future for all students in Modesto City Schools.
They were formally introduced at the May 12 Board of Education meeting. You can watch the introduction by clicking here, starting at the 1:12 mark.