As seniors wrap up their senior projects, senior Alen Shirvanyan invited his mentor, Anthony Portantino, to inform students about Portantino’s contributions in our community. Shirvanyan said he wanted to educate other seniors about their potential as voters and as volunteers. “Often times, most students don’t know how much of an impact they can make on their community,” Shirvanyan said.

Portantino, a former California State Assembly member and a former City Council member from La Cañada Flintridge, spoke to about 130 students from the second period classes of Nicholas Doom, Virginia Benzer, Elaine Snodgress and Stephanie Sajjadieh on April 28.

Senior kameron Jahabi listened to Portantino during his talk in the cafeteria. “He didn’t seem like a politician,” Gahabi said. “He seemed to care about us. He cared enough to ask us what our occupations are, the colleges we want to attend to and answer any questions we had.”

Portantino answered all of the questions asked about his past years as a City Council member and shared his achievements as a public office holder.

“He was very kind, and talked a lot about the government,” said senior Annie Vo. “I was really happy to hear how he introduced a bill banning the removal of newborns’ umbilical cords.” Vo was very impressed of how much care he has for our society and the effort he puts in our government.