Part 2: Meet El Toro High's New Teen Leaders

Editor's note: This is the second of two stories introducing you to the new Associated Student Body representatives at El Toro High School.

A new ASB leadership class is getting to know one another under the guidance of Kathryn Scheidler, El Toro High School's activities director.

On Wednesday, the group split into committees to begin planning for their summer activities—and next year's homecoming.

We chatted with some of the student leaders to find out why they decided to run for election.

Here's what they said: 

Nikki Taylor, activities commissioner: Taylor said that she loves El Toro and wants to "help in anyway I can."

Natasha Bass, publicity commissioner: Bass said she ran for election because she thinks being an ASB representative will be "so much fun." She plans to "make new friends" and "just make school a lot of more fun."

Jason Cruz, boys athletic commissioner: Cruz said he was a school representative back in eighth grade and enjoyed the experience. Now, as he enters his junior year, he wants to continue that and "help out in such a great school."

Danica Schmitt, club commissioner: Schmitt said she joined because she wants to "serve my school and make an impact in students' lives."

Leslie Alvarado, student commissioner: Alvarado said she loves her school and "the wonderful students that go to it." She wants to "help out" and "spread love on the campus."

Mitch Polenske, senior class vice president: Polenske said that El Toro High School has given him "so much as a student" that being an ASB representative is "the best way" for him to give back to El Toro.

Josh Santos, junior class secretary: Santos said he was in leadership his freshman year and that it made that first year at El Toro High "a year [he] will never forget." He said he is "honored" to be an ASB representative again.

Lauren Meyering, historian: Meyering said she wanted to represent her school because the position will allow her to help out and to pursue her interest in film. "Assisting the student body and helping in any way I can gives me the chance to give back to El Toro, because this school truly changed my life," Meyering said.

Alexis Valenciano, sophomore class president: Valenciano said he joined the El Toro leadership team because he thought it would be a lot of fun to get "extra involved" at the high school. Valenciano also said he wants to encourage students who might not be expected to get involved to participate.

Ciera Bardowell, performing arts commissioner: Bardowell joined El Toro's ASB representatives "to be involved with making a difference" at the school.

McKenna Yeskin, sophomore class treasurer: Yeskin said joining the ASB leadership was a part of becoming "more involved in the school." The fact that the people who were already ASB leaders are so nice also made her want to join, she said.

Lili Mullen, sophomore vice president: Mullen said she ran in the ASB leadership election for a second year because she was so "impressed by all the wonderful things that ASB 2010-11 put on." She said that serving as a class officer is a way for her to give back to the school.