Last Updated on April 4, 2024, 9:43 AM | Published: April 3, 2024
OKLAHOMA CITY (Free Press) – In a historic victory, Jessica Cifuentes won the race for Oklahoma City Public Schools Board of Education District 3 on Tuesday, becoming the first elected Guatemalan in the state.
According to the unofficial election results, Cifuentes unseated incumbent Cary Pirrong in the race for OKCPS District 3, which saw a low turnout of 350 total votes. She garnered 233 votes, while Pirrong collected 117.
“This is a local election, but it’s the closest to the people,” said Cifeuetes in a victory speech posted on her Facebook. “This is for every single student. All 33 thousand students that are in OKCPS, this is for you.”
In her victory speech, the 25-year-old Emory University graduate emotionally thanked her supporters, acknowledging local leaders such as Senator Michael Brooks-Jimenez, Representative Arturo Alonso, and OKCPS District 6 Board Member Juan Lecona for their support of her campaign.
In an interview with Free Press, Lecona, the first immigrant elected to the OKC school board, shared insight into what Cifeuntes’ victory signifies for the Hispanic community and how it serves as an inspiration for the youth.
“We’re making history. We’re breaking barriers,” said Lecona. “..It does help when you have Latinos as your leaders and younger kids can look at us like, ‘wow, you know, I want to be just like him. He speaks like me. He looks like me. He understands me.’”
Background
Cifuentes grew up in OKC and attended Buchanan Elementary School which falls within the district she now represents.
After graduating as valedictorian from ASTEC Charter Middle School/High School, she pursued a degree in Materials Science Engineering at Emory University. Currently, she is enrolled in a Surgical Technology program at Career Tech.
According to her campaign website, Cifuentes’ priorities include addressing the needs of bilingual families and expanding extracurricular activities and STEM education.
Board District 3 in SW corner of OKCPS
OKCPS District 3 makes up the southwest corner of the OKC Public Schools District, representing these schools:
- Adams Elementary
- Buchanan Elementary (which Cifuentes attended)
- Kaiser Elementary
- Mark Twain Elementary
- Rockwood Elementary
- Mary Golda Ross Middle School
- Roosevelt Middle School
- Emerson North High School
Hispanic/Latinx students make up nearly 60 percent of the OKCPS student body, while 35 percent are English language learners.
“I am elated to serve all of Oklahoma City’s Public Schools. The work does not stop there,” said Cifuentes in a press release on her victory. “I’d like to remind everyone that we hold the key to making a difference in our community. Let’s work together to create a brighter Oklahoma City.”
Brianna Garcia is a freelance journalist covering local politics and culture for Free Press. She has a degree in Journalism from the University of Central Oklahoma.
