Young Leaders Climb to New Heights at Student Voice Matters Day 

Dozens of middle and high school students came from across Kern County to the California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB) campus for the third annual Student Voice Matters Day Thursday, a celebration of young people using their voices to make change.

Taking a leap of faith — students challenge themselves on CSUB’s ropes course during Student Voice Matters Day.

The students, all members of Student Voice Ambassador (SVA) chapters at their schools, arrived ready to grow as leaders, teammates, and future college students. Representing ten communities — from as far away as Shafter, El Tejon, and Southern Kern — they spent the day building confidence, exploring college life, and connecting with their peers.

Unlike traditional student government, the Student Voice Ambassador Program intentionally uplifts students who are often overlooked — foster youth, students experiencing homelessness, or those who haven’t always seen themselves as leaders. Ambassadors are hand-picked by counselors and educators who recognize their potential.

“We don’t want ASB presidents or student council,” said Gennessa Fisher, one of the program’s organizers. “We want somebody who’s not heard, not seen — students who go through hard things but don’t always get that comeback story. We want them to have it.”

New this year was the use of CSUB’s state-of-the-art Challenge Ropes Course, where students donned their harnesses and helmets to climb more than 20 feet above the ground and complete a series of physical challenges, from rings to ropes to a literal leap of faith.

Student Voice Ambassadors from chapters across the county came together at CSUB for Student Voice Matters Day – a chance to celebrate their leadership and expand their horizons.

Run by CSUB’s Department of Campus Recreation and Wellbeing, the course is designed to build trust, communication, and problem-solving skills. For many students, it was their first time attempting anything like it.

“They all look equally terrifying,” laughed Lia Pele, an eighth grader. “But it seems like a fun, exciting thing to do.”

Program Leader Kim Silva said the students’ fear was part of the lesson.

“It’s the next level of leadership for them to be scared and do it anyway,” she explained. “Those are great skills for them to take as they’re meeting with their school administrators and principals, their board of education. It’s building their confidence.”

Even the adults joined in. While stepping into her own harness, Fisher said the program’s leaders need to practice what they preach, and if they ask students to rise to the challenge, they should too. 

Lourdes Bucher, Executive Director of School-Community Partnerships, completed a challenge in which she balanced on a metal wire while swinging from rope to rope. She said she will likely have blisters on her hands, but it was worth it.  

“The adrenaline kicks in, and it’s fun. Then halfway through, you think, ‘Oh no — why did I do this?’ But it shows them you can do hard things,” she said. 

While the ropes course tested courage, the heart of Student Voice Matters Day lies in the work students are doing on their campuses. SVA chapters across the county have launched food pantries, spoken before school boards about food insecurity, helped reduce chronic absenteeism, addressed campus safety concerns, and worked to curb vaping, bullying, and drug use.

At her school, Alana Villalpando, a seventh grader, said the program has helped reduce bullying — especially online.

“Cyberbullying has decreased a lot,” she said. “Our school counselor gives presentations every month about it, and it’s really helped.”

Rylee Holcomb, an eighth grader, said the program strengthens school culture. 

“It helps our school feel more like a family,” she said. “Our school has grown so much just because of this program.”

Josue Lopez, a ninth grader from Frazier Mountain High School, focused on drug abuse in his community, an issue very close to his heart. Now, Josue helps connect his school with resources and assemblies focused on prevention and education. 

“I love being in the student ambassador program; it’s so much fun, especially when I get to connect with other people and help people,” he said.  

In addition to leadership activities, students toured the CSUB campus with guides from the university’s Educational Opportunity Program. Many of the students had never been on a college campus before.

“That exposure is huge,” Silva said. “For most of these students, this is their first time at any college or university. It helps them visualize what’s possible for them.”

The long-term vision for the Student Voice Ambassador Program includes expanding chapters countywide and creating mentorship opportunities where older ambassadors guide younger students. For now, leaders hope the students come away with new confidence in themselves and trust in each other. 

“We want to show them the power of their chapter, of their group, of themselves,” Fisher said. “We want them to know: You are the most important voice here.”