Cut Loose!

I have been heavily active in a number of clubs and groups during my tenure at New Paltz High School. I am Senior Class Vice President; Treasurer of Student Government, National Honor Society, and the New Paltz Choir; and President of RNP Radio (One of the few on campus radio stations in the state of New York)... just to name a few. I have been in choir since 3rd grade. I have had NYSSMA solos, and I have been selected for All-County Choir on numerous occasions, but I had never done a musical!

Inspired by it being senior year and a series of hit Disney movies; I decided to partake in this year’s musical. We performed the 1980’s hit musical “Footloose.” For my first musical ever I received one of the lead roles. I was cast as Reverend Shaw Moore, and getting to act and sing on stage in front of thousands of people was something I had never done before, and I really enjoyed it.

We just finished our four near sold-out shows, and the reviews from the community were nothing but positive. I would like to thank everyone who came out to support us, I would also like to thank the cast and crew who gave up so much time to make the show as amazing as it was. The musical was an experience I thoroughly enjoyed; my only regret is waiting till senior year to do one.

I do want to address one thing that most people are probably unaware of. In my bio that appeared in the program for Footloose it ended with the sentence, “Daniel will attend Marist College in the fall and is a New Paltz B.O.E candidate.” This is a very innocent and factual statement, which is why I used it. All bios have to be approved by the musical director before they are published; naturally no one had any issue with mine. In fact the whole cast has been very supportive of my candidacy.

After our Thursday night show I was called to the office. I was told by an administrator that they weren’t entirely sure that this sentence was appropriate for a bio, and it may even be conceived as an endorsement by the District. I was then informed that the District Lawyer and our Superintendent were called for further clarification on what really was a non-issue.

This administrator did inform me that both parties had yet to return her calls. In other words, hours before I was to do my second show I was told that my bio warranted further review from a lawyer and the Superintendent, but they had yet to get back to her, meaning that nothing would change for tonight’s show and in all likelihood the rest of our production. This was not the first time I have felt that this person has tried to intimidate me in regards to my candidacy. I was rather appalled by how I was taken out of one of my classes to be informed about essentially nothing. I was so appalled that I sought out legal council of my own.

To make a long story short my bio remained uncensored, as it was in no way, shape, or form, an endorsement, and was well within my rights. I am telling you this story to further show what I can bring to the table as a Board of Education member. I will not be intimidated by others! I think some people may look at my age and think that I can be easily swayed; I certainly know that at least one administrator did. You see, as I did in this case, I stand up for what I believe in. I have no problem speaking my mind, even if it isn’t the most popular thing, if I feel it is right, and it can help people, I will be the first to speak up.

That is the tenacity that helped me create a day for social justice and diversity at New Paltz High School. Yarmulke Day has been written about in the Poughkeepsie Journal, Times Herald-Record, New Paltz Times, Daily Freeman, Las Noticias, and countless National and International internet blogs. Its MySpace page has over 20,000 views and over 3,000 friends.

It’s that same drive that made me ask if the money made on the New Paltz High School merchandise sold at Olympia Sports was going to our District. When I was done asking I then acted, I took it to the top of the company and got the Poughkeepsie Journal involved. In the end almost two hundred high schools now receive quarterly checks from Olympia Sports (New Paltz and Highland included), I received an award from the Board of Education and was named one of the “10 under 20” by the Times Herald-Record.

I know if elected I can use what I have learned in my time at school to help our District. That same courage I used in getting money from Olympia Sports,I will use to try to make our facilities greener which will save us money in the long run. The drive I had in creating and promoting Yarmulke Day, I will use to try and get healthier food for our kids, and hopefully involve local farmers in the process. This is what I want you to consider when you step into the booth on May 19th.

Setting a "Precedent" With Ulster County Executive Mike Hein

Today I had a brief meeting with Ulster County Executive Mike Hein. I am pleased to say I got to know Mike through my many Obama adventures. I even had the opportunity to give a speech with him at an Obama rally in New Paltz. Mike is a wonderful man who certainly has, and is serving Ulster County with the upmost pride and integrity.

Interestingly enough he had come to see me straight from a speaking engagement he had at New Paltz Middle School. Mike is a graduate of New Paltz High School, and by all accounts was a big baseball star, hitting home-runs during high school as well. I was so honored that he took the time out of his very busy schedule to speak with me.

Mike pledged nothing but full support to me and the campaign. He even said that my campaign could set a “precedent” to other Boards of Education. The insight I have as a student who is part of what I will affectionately call the “Obama Generation” is an important part of advancing a good learning environment. Students of my generation have grown up with the internet, computers, and many other forms of technology that have helped us in the classroom and other areas of life. The problem is none of our Board of Education members know what it means to go to school with computers, while we don’t know what it means to go to school without them. I equate this large generational gap to rock and roll of the 50’s generation.

When Mike spoke of precedent he was of course talking about the perspective I have as a young member of our community. He believes that my ideas and visions are important, and if my campaign is successful we may see a ripple effect of youth in school politics. I have lived in New Paltz long enough to know that we like to be different, we like to make changes that we feel help our community, and we like to be among the first to do it, so I say why not start with a young and insightful Board of Education member.

It is very important to have someone who knows what it means to be in a public school in this millennia. Our district is filled with people who know what this truly is like, but as of right now there is no one to represent that, with your help we can change that!

Letter to New Paltz Times

After a great deal of thought and consideration, I have decided to run for a seat on the New Paltz Board of Education. I have been educated by the New Paltz Central School District almost all my life and it has brought me wonderful opportunities. I am and have been an active member of our local community throughout my years in High School. I was selected by the Times Herald-Record as one of “10 under 20” people on the rise in the Hudson Valley, I proudly served as the New Paltz Coordinator for Hudson Valley for Obama, I am Senior class Vice President, I have served as a student representative to the Board of Education and on several committees, and I received an award rarely given to students from the Board for my efforts in securing additional funds for the District.

With all that said, I know that I can lend a hand to make our schools even stronger and more distinct. I have a unique insight into how New Paltz educates its students. From personal experience I see what works, what doesn’t, and what the possibilities for change might be. I want to take this knowledge and make our already wonderful district better and more cost effective. In this era of budget cuts and a shaky economy this district needs someone with my point of view, someone who fully understands what truly impacts students, and someone who knows what it means to be educated in a world that has already changed significantly since our youngest board member graduated from high school. I already have shown the powerful insight I have when I proposed the idea of generating revenue for our school radio station and sports teams by selling advertisement spaces to our local businesses, which was ultimately passed.

If you would like more information on my candidacy or on how you can help, please email me at Torres4NPschools@yahoo.com, or join the rapidly growing Facebook group “Daniel Torres for Board of Education.” I would be honored to receive your vote on May 19th and any help with my campaign.

Daniel Torres
Candidate for New Paltz Central School Districts Board of Education