When voters head to the polling stations in New Westminster’s 2024 school board byelection, they’ll have to mark an X behind one name on the ballot.
The Record recently sent questionnaires out to the four candidates hoping to fill the vacancy on the school board. Today, we’ll get to know a little bit about the candidates.
Each candidate was given 100 words to tell voters about themselves. Answers that went beyond 100 words are identified by an ellipsis (...).
The four candidates running in the Feb. 3 school board byelection in New Westminster (in alphabetical order) are: Jalen Bachra; Kathleen Carlsen; Alejandro Diaz; and Shawn Sorensen.
Jalen Bachra, Community First New Westminster
Current occupation:
University student, children’s programs worker with the City of New Westminster, constituency assistant for Burnaby South
Tell us about yourself:
I was raised by an elementary school secretary and a police officer, and in our family public service is something we value and take seriously. I have lived in New Westminster my entire life, as my family moved to Queensborough over 40 years ago. I’ve been an employee with the city’s parks and recreation department for five years, serving as children’s camp supervisor, special needs staff, and more. This experience has connected me with working families across New Westminster. As a fairly recent graduate of New West Schools, I believe I bring a perspective that is important right now.
Kathleen Carlsen, New Westminster Progressives
Current occupation:
Primary occupation – dance instructor with the City of New Westminster. Secondary occupations – wife, mother, dog and cat mom, volunteer, chauffeur and friend
Tell us about yourself:
I am a wife and mother living in New Westminster with my family, cat and dog. With 30+ years’ experience working for the City of New Westminster, with children of all ages and abilities, I know ALL children need to feel safe and included. I look forward to advocating at the district level for all students.
I choose to lead with compassion, patience, empathy and integrity as was shown in my four years as DPAC chair.
Active in the community, I look forward to continuing my support of youth sports, the performing arts, children's safety, physical and mental health.
Alejandro Diaz
Current occupation:
Husband, parent of three children, and restaurant owner.
Tell us about yourself:
I had the opportunity to come to Canada 27 years ago from Mexico. I have worked in hospitality for most of that time; from dishwasher to finance, before I opened el Santo eight years ago. For the last 14 years I have lived in New Westminster. In those years, raising a family, New West has become my home.
My parents instilled in me while growing up that it is important to always find a way to make your community and your home a better place. I am trying to be the example for my children to accept those same values
Shawn Sorensen
Current occupation:
Operations director, Massey Theatre Society
Tell us about yourself:
I have been involved in the community since making New West my home. I have worked at the Massey Theatre for nearly seven years. I volunteer for the walking school bus, I am the PAC treasurer at my child’s elementary school, and I was a Big Brother for eight years. Wherever I am, I strive to support and serve my community. You can often find me walking my dog Riven on the Quay with a Craft Café cup in hand. I have a background in early childhood education and the arts. I hold kindness and accountability top of mind in ...
In the coming days, the Record will publish the candidates’ responses to other questions: What they consider the Top 3 issues in the school district; whether safety is an issue in schools; and why they think they’d make a good trustee.
