Texas Border Business
Brownsville, TX – Brownsville ISD Junior Sebastian C. Salazar was selected by the Texas State School Safety Center as one of eight top youth leaders to serve as a Teen Ambassador Youth Advisory Board Member, participating in a first-of-its-kind program to help create safer schools. Salazar is the only student ambassador from south of Austin serving in this capacity.
Salazar, a student at Veterans Memorial Early College High School, will serve as a voice for youth in the state and engage young people in school safety initiatives. As a board member, he will work to establish student-led programs that provide safe environments through prevention and awareness. The board will also help inform policy and lawmakers.
A member of the National Honor Society and a Student Athlete, Salazar said he values the chance to connect with students and contribute his perspective on school safety initiatives at the state level.
“It is a true honor and a great opportunity for me to connect with all students, represent my school and community and provide input on school safety and mental health awareness from a student perspective,” he said.
Salazar is no stranger to service. In addition to leading as a Teen Mentor at his church, he also helps students with disabilities as a Peer Assistant. The junior’s strong resume, video application and vision for a safer school environment led him to his new role, where he will be instrumental in initiating new safety programs. He attended his first board training in San Antonio in October.
In the coming months, Salazar will initiate programs, such as monthly mental health awareness events and identify better ways for students to share mental health concerns, according to his Texas School Safety Ambassador profile.
“My goal is to engage lawmakers in the State of Texas and the Department of Education to create a forum where students most affected by school violence can actively participate in safety initiatives and grassroots solutions,” he wrote in his profile.
He said he is proud to be a part of the program and excited to support school systems in the region.
Teen Ambassadors serve as the youth voice for engaging young people in school safety initiatives in Texas, according to the Texas State School Safety Center website. Ambassadors are dedicated to educating their peers by increasing awareness through prevention projects, as well as collaborating with staff to develop future resources and materials centered around substance use prevention, teen mental health and violence prevention.
Visit the Texas State School Safety Center website to learn more about the ambassador program and current projects.
