Meet the Candidates
Meet the candidates for the upcoming PTO election and learn more about the parents and community members who are volunteering to support our school.
Hannia Echeverria - President
Hi, I’m Hannia Echeverria, and I’m running for PTO President because I care deeply about our school, our students, and our families. As a parent of both a 2nd grader and a 6th grader, I understand the importance of building a strong, supportive, and connected school community.
As a business owner in the technology and construction industries, I bring experience in leadership, organization, communication, budgeting, and teamwork. I’m passionate about using those skills to support our teachers, strengthen our PTO, and help create meaningful experiences for our students and families.
It would truly be an honor to serve our school community as PTO President, and I would be grateful for your support.
Wendy Yu - Vice President
I am excited for the opportunity to serve our PTO and contribute to the Castelar community. As a parent and a former LAUSD student, I’ve seen the positive impact of strong family involvement and a supportive school community. That’s why I believe carving out even a tiny bit of time in our busy lives to serve is both important and impactful.
If elected, I look forward to working alongside parents, teachers, and school leaders to support programs and initiatives that enrich our students’ experiences.
A little about me: I’m a technology lawyer by day, I’m mom to Luna (7) and Owen (4), and I took 4 years of ballet as a kid at Alpine Rec Center across the street from Castelar!
Thank you for your consideration.
Liza Ortega - Treasurer
Candidate Statement - Pending.
Check Back for updates
Magen Jennings - Secretary
My name is Magen Jennings, and I am excited to run for PTO Secretary. I care deeply about building a strong, connected school community where families feel informed, involved, and supported.
Over the years, I have served as Secretary on multiple boards and have worked to support Castelar through both community-building and fundraising efforts. I helped spearhead bringing the Spelling Bee to Castelar and created PracticePalooza as a fun way to engage students while also raising funds for our school. I have also supported PTO communications through Instagram and website updates, volunteered at the LA River Farmers Market, contributed to the yearbook, helped launch our new online merchandise store, led the See’s Candy fundraiser, and supported initiatives like Dodger Days and other fundraising activities.
I am action-oriented, dependable, and committed to following through on the work that helps our school thrive. As PTO Secretary, I will continue working to strengthen communication, encourage more parent involvement, and help create opportunities for families to connect and support our students together.
I have been a part of the Castelar Community for 5 years. I am mom to a 4th grader in the Community School and a 1st grader in the Dual Language Mandarin Program. Being part of both programs has given me a deep appreciation of our diverse community and a strong commitment to helping every student succeed.
It would be an honor to continue to serve the Castelar community in this role. Thank you for your support.