I envision a Board that truly listens to its students and uses innovative, and data backed techniques to address issues and create opportunities for not just the majority of students, but for ALL students. If elected, I will work towards implementing solutions that are uniquely tailored to meet the needs of each individual student, avoiding a “one size fits all” approach and embracing diversity rather than trying to ignore it, because, as a school district, IT IS ONE OF OUR GREATEST ASSETS!!
- Diva Sony
Meet Diva
Diva Sony, a long-time resident of Dublin and a proud alumna of Dublin City Schools, is driven by a passion for representation, community, and public service. During her time as a student, Diva actively engaged in her school community by leading clubs and participating in student government, both of which instilled in her a commitment to public service and representative decision making - values she holds to this day. Diva's dedication to advocacy and representation led her to serve on the Ohio Girl Scouts Board of Directors, where she dedicated herself to amplifying the voices of young girls across the state, addressing their needs and concerns through the board. As a delegate to the Girl Scout National Council, she worked tirelessly to ensure the interests of young girls were accurately represented on a broader stage. Diva’s passion for public service was furthered through her work with an Ohio State Senator in the Statehouse. In this role, she conducted legislative research and addressed constituent concerns, deepening her understanding of and respect for effective, representative governance. Recently, Diva worked in public affairs at the Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel, a government agency committed to advocating for the interests of consumers. Her experiences have not only refined her ability to advocate for those she serves but have also given her a unique perspective on the importance of thoughtful policy-making and equitable representation.
Diva's experience in public service and dedication to representation is what brought her to run for the Board of Education. As a 2022 graduate from Dublin Jerome High School, there is no one better experienced with the policies, culture and student body of Dublin city schools than Diva. Diva spent the entirety of her K-12 education in the Dublin schools, where she was able to enjoy the incredible benefits of attending as academically successful of schools as those in Dublin, but also witnessed first hand, many of the issue plaguing the district students. With rapidly increasing mental illness rates and a lack of privacy caused by the increasingly digital world we live in, Dublin students are facing a new host of unprecedented issues that only a teenager from this generation like Diva is capable of understanding and addressing. That combined with Diva's commitment to policy making and public service makes her the only candidate equipped to better the academic success and overall well being of the current Dublin student body, because when addressing issues through policy, decisions must be made by those who have been most directly impacted.
That is why Diva Sony is running for this position: because she wants to provide the board with a fresh, new voice that is truly representative of the students it aims to serve.
Priorities
As a candidate for the Dublin School Board, Diva Sony is committed to addressing the following issues:
01
Promote Mental Health
As a recent graduate of Dublin City Schools, Diva knows firsthand how harmful and pervasive mental health issues can be to students, even those who are academically successful. With mental health illness rates rising at unprecedented rates and 44% of high school students reporting experiencing depression symptoms within the last year, mental health issues are a serious problem preventing students from reaching their academic potential. If elected, Diva will work towards expanding access to mental healthcare services across the district and prioritize preventing techniques including stress management.
02
Improve Early Literacy
Literacy is a foundational component of students' education and most of these skills are developed in the first few years of schooling, namely kindergarten through 3rd grade. However, as a result of the pandemic and distanced learning, these years of foundational learning have been disrupted for many students resulting in lowered early literacy rates. Diva will commit herself to promoting early literacy through supplemental programs and one-on-one support.
03
Boost College and Career Readiness
The goal of K-12 education has always been to prepare students for success after high school, whether that be through entering college, the workforce, or enlisting in the military. this is why Diva will dedicate herself to boost college and career readiness by providing one-on-one career counseling support to ensure that more students are able to be adequately prepared for life after graduation.