Oakdale High School senior Grace Miller has a full year ahead of her.

In addition to being active in sports and well versed academically, Miller is the reigning 2023-24 Oakdale’s Distinguished Young Woman and come this Monday will take her seat as the Oakdale Joint Unified Student Board Member.

“I’m kind of nervous, especially with where the school’s at right now with everything we’ve dealt with over the summer,” Miller said of the coming meeting, set for Aug. 14. “It’s kind of overwhelming, but I’m excited to represent my school.”

The incoming student board member shared she has already been getting feedback from friends on issues they’d like to see addressed. She, in turn, is encouraging them to attend the meeting and voice their concerns.

According to Miller, she first entertained the idea of serving on the board when she was approached by her mom, who promoted the idea. As a friend of former student board member Jessica Birchall, Miller then discussed the idea with her friend.

“I was interested because it’s cool to represent your school and be able to help change some things,” Miller said.

She further noted she had learned Leadership Advisor Guy Fowler was beginning to consider a recruitment effort, as student interest in the position had declined.

With a mom who grew up in Oakdale, Miller shared she has a familiarity with Superintendent Larry Mendonca and a few of the current board members.

“I feel really good about the people on the school board. They’re there to help,” she said.

The meeting idea, she confessed, still has her slightly overwhelmed.

“It’s going pretty well,” she added of her first year in Leadership Class, sharing that she has been encouraged to join the class throughout her tenure at OHS, but her schedule conflicted.

Looking to her future beyond OHS, the senior shared she’s still considering what profession she wants to pursue. Her top two would be either a Special Education teacher or a Labor and Delivery nurse.

Miller stated she has friends with special needs and wants to help them, sharing she has a “special place in her heart for them.”

She plans to apply to Long Beach State and Notre Dame, yet is still kicking around the idea of taking a Gap Year.

For now, however, the student board rep has her focus set on her commitment to the board. When asked if friend and outgoing member Birchall offered her any advice, Miller stated it was simple.

“She said to have a good poker face,” Miller noted of her advice from Birchall. “Smile regardless if you agree or disagree completely. You can’t let your emotions take over. Other than that, she said it’s a really fun job because you get to be super involved in your school.”

As an expressive person, Miller admitted the ‘poker face’ is something she has to work on.

“I think my passion for the school,” she summarized of her desire to now sit in the seat. “My mom was really big in the school and I think that part of what I want to see again is to see us all together again. I feel like our school is really divided and I’d like to see that change.”