Triston Ezidore Sworn in as Culver City Unified School District President

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On January 11, Triston Ezidore, a 2024 endorsee of our Club, was sworn in as president of the Culver City Unified School District by Supervisor Holly Mitchell. Because of the fires, the event was transformed into a combination swearing-in ceremony and community relief effort. 

A stellar group of elected public officials was on hand to celebrate the presidency of our city’s youngest elected official, but the fires consuming our county were never far from thought.

State Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas noted that it was hard to be here on a night when the fires burned and encouraged us all to “look for the light in the darkness.” She spoke of the importance of carrying the voices of youth into government and of the need for “warriors on the front line” to give every student access to a quality education. 

Congressional Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove praised the young leadership in Culver City who have the earnestness and courage to talk about and to find themselves in diversity, equity and inclusion. 

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond presented Triston with a framed proclamation. Superintendent Thurmond, a former school board member himself, said that school board was the hardest elected job because it was that board that had the mission of giving all students access to a quality education. He encouraged both the celebration of diversity and of what we have in common.

County Supervisor Holly Mitchell noted that “Our beloved community is in pain.” And advised new President Ezidore with these lessons from her own experience: “Haters are always going to hate, so stand in your courage. There is never enough money, so know your budget like the back of your hand. Kids never get a do over.”