Mari Basaca Fuentes and Blake Palmer
Lyon County School District
Mari Basaca Fuentes of Yerington High School and Blake Palmer of Dayton High School have been selected to serve on the Nevada’s Superintendent’s Advisory Group of Education (NV SAGE).
NV SAGE consists of youth across the state who provide input on educational policies and student experiences. Members engage in discussions with education leaders, review legislative proposals and advocate for improvements impacting Nevada schools.
Once accepted, Fuentes reviewed proposed education bills.
“There are many changes that I would like to make within my school; however, I would never be able to accomplish these goals by sitting around waiting for someone to do it for me,” Fuentes said. “That is why being part of SAGE and having the opportunity to better things for the greater good is very important to me.”
Palmer’s journey to NV SAGE involved a competitive selection process, requiring a written application and recommendations from LCSD Superintendent Tim Logan and DHS Principal Julie Bumgardner.
NV SAGE members have been focusing on legislative issues, including competency-based education, licensure requirements for educators and student representation on school boards.
“My roles for NV SAGE mostly include representing DHS and Lyon County among other Nevada students,” Palmer said. “I share opinions on similarities and differences between rural and urban areas, experiences with issues in education and gaining solutions from discussion.”
Palmer has taken multiple education courses through Western Nevada College and has completed more than 75 hours of internship experience.