Supervisor Cindy Chavez Inspires Notre Dame Students

Supervisor Cindy Chavez Inspires Notre Dame Students

Although freshman Shruthisri Ravinsankar has not yet finished her first semester at Notre Dame, she is already making a mark. A performing artist, Shruthisri found ways to use dance as a medium for advocacy and spreading hope and unity. But that wasn't enough. "I felt the need to do something more," shares Shruthisri. "I started looking for ways to make change happen in my community. When I was given the opportunity to serve on the student advisory board for Santa Clara County, I was elated."

After meeting County Supervisor Cindy Chavez, Shruthisri invited her to Notre Dame. "It was truly an honor to interview an accomplished political leader, an influential woman and an elected representative of Santa Clara County, Ms. Cindy Chavez at Notre Dame High School. It gave our entire student body an opportunity to learn about “how to make changes happen,” the ”importance of taking failure as a learning experience” and “being mindful about the growth and development of our community” from a bold and sensible woman leader. "Ms. Chavez talked about the importance of addressing key issues at the local level and also shared about the influence our local government has on a national level. She told us about how the policies and reforms that happened in our Santa Clara County’s Criminal Justice System & Foster Care System helped to make our communities safer, healthier and economically stronger."

"Supervisor Chavez inspired us to aspire to do something greater than ourselves and find our magnificent obsession."

"Being part of the student advisory board gives me an opportunity to work with elected officials, community leaders, small business owners and big organizations. We have meetings every other Tuesday and, as a team, we review our county’s policies and programs, share our prominent concerns and recommendations. We are currently organizing a drive, a community-led service project, to reduce homelessness and support shelters in our community. Our objective is to have a voice for the youth, help our community and to build a better future for ourselves."