LAPS School Board student liaisons for the 2026-2027 school year include, from top left, Rebecca Champenios, Vahatau Funaki, and Hailey Apodaca. From bottom left, Eric Kozimor, Eliana Padilla and Silas Laskie.Courtesy LAPS
LAPS NEWS RELEASE
The Los Alamos Public Schools (LAPS) Board of Education introduced its student liaisons for the 2026-2027 school year during their meeting Tuesday evening.
New student liaisons include Los Alamos High School (LAHS) juniors Hailey Apodaca, Eric Kozimor and Silas Laskie. Eighth graders Rebecca Champenios and Vahatau Funaki represent Los Alamos Middle School (LAMS).
LAHS senior Eliana Padilla returns for a second year as a student liaison. Laskie served previously as a LAMS student liaison.
This is the ninth year that there have been high school student liaisons and the fifth year for middle school student liaisons.
Student liaisons are selected each year by members of the school board. Students submit applications at the beginning of the school year, and each application is reviewed by the school board selection committee members but names are not revealed during the review process.
School board student liaisons serve in an advisory capacity on the board. They are expected to attend school board meetings where they have an opportunity to express student views on the agenda topics. In addition, student liaisons and school board members meet for lunch once a month to review agenda topics and discuss timely issues relevant to the schools.
“We are fortunate to have a great group of student liaisons who are able to participate in meaningful discussions with the school board and provide important perspectives and feedback,” Superintendent Jennifer Guy said. “I am grateful that they are willing to serve in this role.”
The board makes many policy decisions that directly affect students. Having student representation on the board in a liaison role enables the board to gain input from students and find out their thoughts on issues that relate directly to them. In accordance with state statutes, the students may not be members of the board or have voting rights.