Rancho Bernardo teens sought for community council’s student seats

High school juniors who live in Rancho Bernardo have an opportunity to learn more about their community and earn volunteer service hours starting in January.

The Rancho Bernardo Community Council is accepting applications for its student representative seats. Those selected will serve a one-year term starting in January.

One or two students will be selected following an application and interview process. The deadline to apply is 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1.Th Interviews will be held during the evening from Nov. 3 to 7.

The student position was created “for the purpose of securing increased community involvement from the large and important student population in Rancho Bernardo,” according to the application. “High school students have much to offer and the council wants to make sure they have the opportunity to participate and make a difference.”

The 2025 representatives are Anushree Magi and Matilda Messer, who are both 17-year-old seniors at Rancho Bernardo High School.

“I wanted to join the community council because I was interested in getting involved in the community and thought I could learn how issues are resolved,” Magi said. “That was interesting to me.”

Magi added that she also wanted “a better understanding of how local events and decisions come together, and to play a part in that.”

Before joining as a student member, Magi, who has lived in RB most of her life, said she volunteered at the council’s Earth Day and Coco with Santa events in 2024.

According to Magi, she wanted to represent the student perspective because of a gap between RB High and the community.

“I have been involved in the community council for a while,” said Messer, attributing that in part to her father, Kevin, being a council member. “Since my freshman year I have volunteered at events, but did not know about the student position until my sophomore year.

“It was an opportunity for me to take on a bigger role … and see the inner workings of the council,” she said. “It is my way of giving back to Rancho Bernardo, where I have lived my whole life.”

Both said organizing the scavenger hunt for the council’s Earth Day Fair last April was their favorite activity.

“We were hoping to involve kids more (in the fair) and motivate them to see the entire fair because there was educational learning at every station,” Messer said. “There was a prize for them at the end.”

“It was a fun, engaging way for everyone to be more involved,” Magi added.

Messer said she enjoyed seeing the inner workings of council events and helping with them.

“I was able to meet new people from all over RB and these were fun things, so my experience has been awesome,” Messer said.

Magi also said she found the experience to be beneficial.

“I learned how important the community council is and about teamwork planning for community projects,” Magi said, adding this also gave her an opportunity to work with adults in a different environment. “Our small contributions can bring people together for events.”

Magi said she wants to major in political science and minor in business at a university and eventually attend law school.

Messer has committed to playing softball at Carnegie Mellon University in Pennsylvania, where she wants to major in environmental engineering due to her interest in the environment.

“My advice is to go for it,” Messer said about prospective applicants. “But you should do it for the right reason, not just to slap it on your resume. Do it if you are passionate about the community, want to make an impact and make a positive difference.”

Magi said she also wants to encourage students considering to apply to “take advantage of the opportunity and to speak up.

“You might feel intimidated … because you are on Zoom and the meeting is full of adults, but your perspective matters a lot,” Magi said. “So if you are open to learning and not afraid to share ideas you will get a better understanding of how the community works if you just put yourself out there.”

Candidates must be a high school junior and have lived in Rancho Bernardo for at least 60 days. They are expected to attend the council’s monthly meeting, held at 6:30 p.m. on the first Thursday, and give a report of up to three minutes about their school’s activities. They are also asked to seek and share student perspectives regarding issues facing the council.

They must also participate in at least one ad hoc committee and at least one of the council’s special events or activities, such as its Earth Day or Safety fairs. They are also expected to exhibit professional behavior and promptly attend to RBCC related matters, according to the application.

They will receive a shirt to wear at RBCC events and upon completion a letter of recommendation for college, community service hours (earned by attending meetings and events), and certificates of recognition from the community council, San Diego mayor and their City Council member.

For the application, visit www.RBCommunityCouncil.com or email Admin@RBCommunityCouncil.com.