The William S.Hart Union Hich School District and City of Santa Clarita ‘Human Relations Roundtable’ members have been selected to help eliminate racism and discrimination, officials said.

After over 80 candidates applied to join the revamped Roundtable, facilitated by the city and the Hart District, 16 individuals were chosen to serve as community group members. The selection process was monitored and scored by five panelists;  Dr. Claudia Acosta, John Musella, Peggy Stabile, Jim Ventress, and Kieran Wong and occurred over two rounds of selection. 

“The background, variety of experiences and passion for change demonstrated by each of these individuals will cultivate the ideal environment to work collectively for the benefit of our community,” said Santa Clarita Mayor Cameron Smyth. “I look forward to seeing this group develop and take tangible steps toward accomplishing their mission.” 

Among the 16 chosen, some of the new members include Saugus High School teacher Teri Le Giusa, SCV for Change organizer Lauryn Valley, as well as 2 student representatives from the Hart District.

Qualifications for becoming a Roundtable member included being a Santa Clarita Valley resident, experience with community organization or human rights advocacy, representative of our diverse community, experience in human services, and a demonstrated ability to work tactfully with diverse populations.

The members of the Roundtable will attend and engage in meetings, subcommittee meetings and activities to encourage and assist our community to eliminate all forms of racism and discrimination. 

These events are said to promote inclusion and not only an understanding but an appreciation of human differences. Mayor Pro Tem Bill Miranda will be the Roundtable Chair with Mayor Smyth serving as the alternate if Miranda is unavailable. 

“I want to thank Mayor Smyth for being a driving force in putting this effort in motion. It has taken months of work and planning to get to this point because it is imperative that we get it right,” said Mayor Pro Tem Miranda. “The work this group will be taking on will help create a more inclusive Santa Clarita. Through celebrating our differences, backgrounds, ethnicities, religions, ages and beliefs – we will be able to embrace the diversity that makes our community unique and special. As the Chair of the Roundtable, my role will be to listen and encourage discussion and the exchange of ideas that gives insight into potential opportunities to advance the group’s mission.”

The members of the Human Relations Roundtable will begin meeting this month. For more information on the Human Relations Roundtable, please visit SCVHumanRelations.com.

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