Earlier this month, the Oakdale Joint Unified School Board welcomed 2022-23 Student Board member Jessica Birchall to the team. The Oakdale High School senior was sworn in at the August OJUSD Board meeting and wasted no time at stepping right into the position.

The situation which prompted the student board member to speak presented itself when an audience member voiced a concern regarding vaping in the bathrooms at OHS.

“I feel like with issues like that, it’s important I speak up and give my opinion, because no one else would know,” Birchall said of her feedback to the audience member, noting that since the implementation of the new Safety Guidelines she herself had not witnessed that on campus, as in past years. “I feel like it’s not something you can really attest to unless you’re on campus.”

The senior added that she “figured I could calm people down about something” as she sat in on her first meeting and heard the concerns of many topics offered by the audience.

As for joining the board and applying for the position, the newest board member shared she was familiar with the position and had been encouraged by Leadership teacher Guy Fowler to throw her name into the hat and pursue the opportunity.

“It was unlike anything I’ve ever done, as I haven’t been in Leadership before,” she said.

Part of the process to be selected entailed being interviewed by the past student council member who reviewed what all she would have to do as well as asked questions related to the responsibility.

“I watched some of the meetings from that year, that I knew were a little chaotic, but I hadn’t actually been to a meeting before,” she admitted.

“I can hold my own in front of people, so I wasn’t nervous about that aspect of it,” she shared, adding that some had cautioned her of the climate of past meetings. “People can be opinionated but I don’t think of them as scary, so I thought it would be a good experience.”

Being the oldest of five children might figure in to the Mustang’s strength and confidence that she brings to the board. While she is currently uncertain where she plans to attend college, she shared she does have an interest in psychology, more specifically behavioral psychology.

Currently she’s involved with the OHS Volleyball team, as well as serves as President of the Service Club. She’s also very active in her church.

When posed with the question of the word which suits her best, Birchall chose ambitious.

“I like doing a lot and I like meeting my full potential,” she shared. “Sometimes to a fault, because I do overreach sometimes. But I do think that’s a good quality to have. Making sure you’re always your best self. I’m really excited to have this position.”