Kern County Students Gain Skills, Confidence at CASC Summer Leadership Camp

Three Kern County students spent four days this summer sharpening their leadership skills and their voices at the California Association of Student Councils (CASC) Summer Leadership Camp in Santa Barbara. Sponsored by the Kern County Superintendent of Schools (KCSOS), these three delegates joined a larger group of Kern County students and peers from across California for hands-on training in communication, advocacy, and leadership.

CASC’s mission is to empower students through peer-to-peer training, with a focus on civic engagement and leadership development. Programs like the summer camp allow students to step outside the traditional classroom environment, network with other student leaders, and learn skills that they can take with them wherever they go. CASC encourages students to find their voice and the confidence to use it.  

Zoey Hernandez is the CASC Region 8 President, who represents students from Kern, Inyo, Kings, and Tulare counties. A total of eight students from her region joined the summer camp, three of them sponsored by the county. She said many students in the region come from low-income families where opportunities like this aren’t always available. 

“CASC breaks down barriers,” she explained. “Students who might not usually have access to leadership programs or advocacy platforms can truly appreciate and benefit from everything CASC has to offer.”

For Kaylee Lopez, a junior at Del Oro High School in the Kern High School District (KHSD), the camp was a unique experience that was eye-opening and inspiring.

“I learned skills like presentation, what makes a good leader, and how to engage an audience,” Lopez shared. “This was a wonderful way to get out of my shell and engage with other people who share the same ideas and beliefs as me.”

Arshdeep Singh Grewal, a senior at Caesar E. Chavez High School in Delano, said the camp was both fun and meaningful. He also said he made so many new friends and would jump at the opportunity to come back. 

“My experience at CASC was amazing. I had so much fun while I was there, and I was also able to learn so many new skills,” Singh Grewal said. “I was also able to experience some great things that I could never have experienced if I hadn’t gone.”

For Olivia Grace, a senior also at Del Oro High School, the camp’s impact went far beyond leadership training. It inspired her to apply to the University of California – Santa Barbara (UCSB). 

“The CASC camp wasn’t just a normal leadership camp; it was a place to learn and bond with people wanting the same changes for students as we do,” Grace explained. “Throughout the week I spent in Santa Barbara, I found my space and hopefully my future college campus.”

Hernandez emphasized the importance of providing opportunities like these.

“Every student deserves the chance to speak up about the challenges they see in their schools, advocate for fair opportunities, and push for the resources that allow them to reach their full potential,” Hernandez said. “These opportunities ensure that student perspectives are not only heard but also used to shape the future of education in ways that matter most to those directly impacted.”

Student leadership opportunities are more than resume-builders or material for a college application, they’re pathways to civic engagement, personal growth, and community impact. Programs like CASC, along with local opportunities such as Leaders in Life, Youth Empowering Success (YES), and Youth 2 Leaders, provide Kern County students with the chance to connect with peers, discover their passions, and take on roles where they can advocate for meaningful change.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Mendiburu said KCSOS is proud to support these students in their journey as they gain the skills to become our future leaders. 

“Partnering with CASC and seeing the youth of Kern be engaged and collaborative with others throughout the state is superb!” he said. “These are the youth of tomorrow’s leaders, and however we can support this great endeavor is a priority.”

Beyond summer camp, Region 8 will host a Student Advocacy Conference in November, where high school students will learn how to advocate for meaningful changes in their schools and communities, including shaping education-focused legislation.

“Being able to see our students step into a space where their voices are valued, where they can use those voices to make real change, and where they can grow into leaders today–not someday–makes this work incredibly meaningful to me,” Hernandez said.