From learning to read English to leading her peers, Perez takes on school board role

“I recall when Germaly Perez first walked into Delta Elementary, I believe in first grade,” recalled Delta Elementary Principal Milt Hooten. “She could not speak one word of English. She would smile and nod her head. But that did not stop her. She listened, she learned, and by the end of her first year could speak with the best of us.”

Perez came to Delta Junction in 2016 from Puerto Rico after her father was assigned to Fort Greely. It didn’t take long for the young student to find her footing in her new community – or to begin distinguishing herself academically and through service.

As a second-grader, Perez earned a third-place ribbon for engineering at the Delta Elementary School Science Fair. She was also named a Student of the Month and continued to earn academic accolades throughout junior high.

Now a junior at Delta High School, Perez has expanded her involvement well beyond the classroom. She has served on the student council since her freshman year and now represents the council on the Delta/Greely School Board.

“I held a state position and was the Regent 6 rep when the Alaska Association of Student Governments held their state conference at Delta High,” Perez said. “I am also the current Delta High HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) president.”

Perez said one of her goals as a student representative on the school board is to help her fellow students better understand how the board operates and how its decisions affect them.

“Most students do not know anything about the school board,” she said.

Perez wants to change that by bringing information from board meetings back to the student body, including how meetings are conducted and what decisions are made.

Her interests extend beyond student government. Perez was recently named a second-place finisher in the Alaska Oratorical 2X competition, earning a $2,500 Jan Scott Memorial Scholarship.

She also enjoys reading and keeping up with current events and politics – interests that have influenced her thoughts about a future career.

Perez once planned to pursue a career in the medical field, but she is now considering becoming a human rights attorney.

“Or actually any type of lawyer,” she explained. “I like to read, to follow and stay updated on politics.”

Athletics have also played an important role in Perez’s high school experience. She played volleyball and softball until this year, when she suffered a fractured ankle.

“But I will be back for my senior year,” she said with a smile.

Always willing to try something new, Perez joined the DHS choir last year. The experience brought an unexpected accomplishment when she earned first chair as an alto at the State Music Festival in Anchorage.

“I’m still in choir and am looking forward to the Music Fest this year, as it will be held right here in Delta Junction,” she said.

From arriving in Alaska unable to speak English to becoming an active voice for her fellow students, Perez has embraced opportunities both inside and outside the classroom.

For Hooten, the transformation is particularly memorable.

The young girl who once communicated primarily with smiles and nods has grown into a student willing to speak up, take on leadership responsibilities and represent her peers.

Perez is the daughter of Germain Figueroa and Adaly Perez Aponte.

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