My name is Holly Cruz, and I’m ready to be your Sumner County School Board District 9 representative.

I am a mother, a daughter, a sister, a friend, and a former educator who wants to give back to our county. As a child, I grew up with two wonderfully autistic brothers and was inspired to work with students because of them. Today, Omar and I are thankful for the opportunity to raise our girls right here in District 9!

My family relocated to Sumner County in 2017 and over the past six years we have spent our time exploring, learning, and loving our community. As the mom of two SCS students, a large part of our community has developed through our school district: from building lifelong friendships with students and their parents at Benny Bills Elementary School to meeting people from across our county through the Gallatin Civic Center, the Lady Rangers, and Unlimited Potential. Watching them develop as teammates with students from all over the Gallatin area has been a joy. I truly believe that my family's community is only what it is BECAUSE of the school system.

That is why my vision is to build upon this community and continue to push our schools to be the best in the state. When I look around our SCS community, I want to celebrate the amazing diversity it contains in both location and demographics. As diverse as it is, though, I believe we can all agree on a few important ideas.

We want to have a school community where our children are safe, loved, and seen for who they are. We want to have a school community where our children are successful but also challenged in the classroom. We wantto have a school community that supports our school staff and recognizes the importance of working together to educate and raise students who are kind and community-driven. Most importantly, we want to have a school community based in respect.

Over the past year I have contemplated and debated running for office, but that desire has been lingering for a much longer time - and today, I’m proud to show my girls that anything is possible.

I hope you will follow along and work with me: as parents, as teachers and school staff, as community members, as family, and as friends. I'm ready - are you?

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