Student Representative Joined Sacramento School Board
West Campus High School senior Owen Naqica has stepped into a key leadership role within the district.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Secondary Education
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West Campus High School senior Owen Naqica has taken his seat as a student representative on the Sacramento City Unified school board. The 17-year-old son of Fijian immigrants is now actively participating in district policy deliberations.
Why it matters
Naqica sought this position to directly advocate for student representation within the district process. His involvement highlights the growing role of young voices in shaping local educational governance.
Owen Naqica is 17 years old and a student at West Campus High School. He is one of the subjects featured in a collection of 12 profiles.
The players
Owen Naqica
He is a 17-year-old senior at West Campus High School and a student representative for the Sacramento City Unified School District.
Stephon Clark
He was a 22-year-old man whose 2018 death by police sparked protests that influenced the early activism of Owen Naqica.
The details
Naqica, who grew up in South Sacramento, has transitioned from a community activist to a formal board member. He recently demonstrated his active role by participating in board discussions and formally seconding a motion.
Timeline
Stephon Clark was killed by police in 2018.
This profile was published in September 2026.
Culture Shift
Naqica's path to the school board follows a pattern set by the 2018 death of Stephon Clark, demonstrating how local activism can evolve into formal civic engagement. This represents a shift in how students in Sacramento utilize community experience to influence institutional decision-making.
Students and residents in the Sacramento City Unified School District may see more direct advocacy regarding school board policies through Naqica's participation. His presence adds a student perspective to formal board deliberations that affect daily academic life.
The takeaway
Naqica's appointment serves as a case study in how youth activism can result in tangible representation within public institutions. Implementing this type of student involvement requires sustained commitment to district processes.
Further reading
Learn more about the local district's structure in Secondary Education.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Abridged - PBS KVIE.
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