Ridge High School Graduate Honored By Bernards Township School Board

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — The Bernards Township Board of Education honored Natalie Ramirez Porras for serving as Student Representative for the 2023-24 School Year.

"Thank you very much you did an excellent job this year. Your refreshing and optimistic updates were always — don't tell anybody — but the highlight of the meeting. You were confident and engaging," said Board President Timothy Salmon at the June 10 Board of Education meeting.

Salmon noted that Ramirez Porras, a graduating senior at Ridge, was never shy about sharing her input and opinion on topics.

"When the Board hears input directly from kids that's the input we put at the highest level because you kids are living it every day. We are up here making some policies and hoping for the best and you are living it every day," said Salmon.

"On behalf of the Board, you have been an exemplary representative for the Ridge student body and you should be very proud of yourself," said Salmon.

The proclamation noted that Ramirez Porrez served as a valuable spokesperson and "maintained a professional decorum at board meetings, shown respect to board members and strived to learn the proper etiquette of serving on a school board."

Ramirez Porres also thanked the Board for her time served including helping to diversify the school lunch menu.

"From the bottom of my heart, I appreciate the efforts to diversify the food menu even before being involved in the student government using my voice and having the administration genuinely listen and collaborate we achieved better food quality and options that made students feel more included within their culture," said Ramirez Porres.

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