Almaden Resident

Education

Teacher launches alumni association at Leland

By Anne Gelhaus

Iliad Rodriguez looked at the Leland High School community and saw untapped potential. Though not a Leland grad, Rodriguez was inspired by his own high school experience to form an alumni association at the Almaden Valley campus, where he now teaches. He is in the process of launching the Leland Alumni Association, which he hopes will support school programs.

Rodriguez says the private high school he attended in Oakland is a high-achieving school, and its alumni association plays a role in that achievement.

"I'm hoping to bring that flavor to Leland because it's also a high-achieving school," adds the photography and animation teacher. "The association would also provide a social outlet for alumni."

Rodriguez was impressed that eight of his fellow faculty members are Leland alumni, which he says illustrates how closely tied a lot of graduates are to the high school.

"The idea for an alumni association grew out of the fact that we have a significant alumni base still in the community," Rodriguez says. "We're hoping we can draw on the wealth of support and knowledge of our alumni to support programs here. There's potential for alumni to contribute in different ways--not just fundraising, but volunteering on campus committees."

In particular, Rodriguez says, Leland is looking to ramp up its technology, facilities and student support committees.

He's also hoping to get alumni involved in Leland's 40th anniversary celebration, set for May 3. The event will include a barbecue dinner, a student art showcase and the second annual Commitment to Character awards. The awards recognize students who have demonstrated qualities that personify outstanding character.

To contact alumni both inside and outside the Bay Area who will help the fledgling association take flight, Rodriguez is developing an outreach strategy that includes compiling a list of alumni email addresses to send them updates on Leland happenings, and building an alumni page on the high school's website.

"I'm trying to get any alumni from anywhere, but I'm starting in this area," he says. "We're hoping for word of mouth to get people notified."

Once the association is established, Rodriguez says, it's up to the members to chart its course.

"It's not my role to choose what the association's destiny will be," he adds. "I'm just hoping to build more contacts to build more opportunities to start a direction for the group."

For more information about the Leland Alumni Association, contact Iliad Rodriguez at Iliad_Rodriguez@sjusd.org.