Most students could only ever hope to be the class president of their high-achieving school. Others more simply strive for high grades or athletic validation. But Travis Hodges, an accomplished senior at Monte Vista, proves that with strive, determination, and passion, you can have it all, and more. That’s why, at 17 years old, in the spring of 2024, Hodges was elected as the third ever student board member for the San Ramon Valley Unified School District (SRVUSD).
Hodges’ journey begins much earlier than his inauguration. As a sophomore, he was able to finally enjoy high school without the restrictions of the pandemic. With this freedom, Hodges was able to join Leadership, an elective that handles numerous school related projects and tasks at Monte Vista. Within this class, he learned much more about the policies which directly affect him and his peers, fueling an interest in getting more involved with the interior of the district.
Still, becoming a Student Senate member to do this wasn’t easy. Following applying for itt and being selected as one of the top five candidates from Monte Vista, he then had to win an election within the school. But, after achieving this success, he would still have to be forwarded with the other top two MVHS candidates to be voted upon by the Student Senate. Even still, he would have to pass interviews taken by the previous student board member, current board members, trustees, and the SRVUSD superintendent, along with his cabinet.
“It was certainly a very long and difficult process,” Hodges said.
For Travis, the outlook of supporting his community in all the ways he can is what has been principally guiding him. So, the SRVUSD’s Student Senate, which houses student representatives whose primary initiative is to listen to student voices in improving campus life, has been a good fit for him. He says that he’s been primarily tackling grade and budget reform, as well as student engagement, concerns, and wellness as a student board member.
“It’s really all about making a difference,” Hodges said.
The goal that stands out from the others is grade reform, a topic that many would say that Hodges has allocated much of his power to forwarding. Grade reform, put simply, is a process of evaluating what should make up students’ grade, not just standardized test scores; but alternatively individual students’ level of learning, and their unique understandings of concepts being taught.
“We’re looking to refocus education and grading around not how many points you get in a class, but your level of learning,” Hodges said.
While this has been a priority for the district, it is under Hodges’ influence that this process has begun to be expedited. He even has office hours in which he encourages students to share questions and concerns with him on this topic, as well as on any others that students might have.
Over halfway through his period of holding this position, having been exposed to the ins and outs of SRVUSD’s management, Hodges says his view on the district has changed immensely.
“When you’re not involved the school district seems foreign, like a power that has a big influence over you, but you don’t really know what’s going on inside,” Hodges said. As an insider, he now has “a big picture understanding of what’s going on, on a district level.”
Outside of his school board position, Hodges has involved himself in many other community service organizations. As the National President of the American Youth Association, he finds himself partaking in advocacy work on local, state, and federal level. Furthermore, he has a strong presence in Dr. Lori A. Watson’s Race Work program at Monte Vista, as a member of the Student Leaders Anti-Racist Movement. Hodges also shared that he is very involved with our district’s Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA), something that he attends frequent board meetings and events.
Although he dedicates much of his time to public service, according to him, it is still “all about balance.” You will often find Hodges playing sports, spending time with friends and family, working out, mountain biking, and appreciating the outdoors. However, he still intends to continue his commitment to public service into college and beyond.
A message from Travis for students inspired by him is this: “Don’t be afraid of failure. The need to feel that everything must be perfect before beginning is what held me back. Trying in the first place is what matters. That would be my advice.”
