Kristen’s pick: Carolina Bevad, Cherry Hill Township Board of Education
I can’t describe how entwined my life has been in the Cherry Hill education, political, social, and economic scene. My grandparents were original owners in Cherry Hill, my mother was raised and educated in Cherry Hill West, and my brother spent some time attending West. My father raised his children there. My mother maintains her childhood home there, and my brother and his wife are raising their first daughter in Cherry Hill.
I lived with my Grandpa Jim for a time during college in his CH home. I have worked in Cherry Hill for most of my working life.
Between my mom in Pennsauken, and my home in Medford, everything happens in between, in Cherry Hill.
I love this town. The skating rink, the mall, the bustling business economy, and the importance of this iconic town remain the reason I care to see its continued growth and success.
For far too long, there has been a one-party ruling class system in the town. I witnessed first-hand the effects of the unrestricted power concentration when I attended a recent Board of Education meeting. The Superintendent was just awarded a generous bonus, after a year of utter failure in leading the District back to in-person learning just weeks before school ended. Even worse, the Board voted to renew his contract.
Fortunately, there are voices for change beginning to take hold in the political and education systems of the town. I have great hope that this election could be a game changer for the stagnation that has permeated the local politics of the town.
Meet one such change-maker: Carolina Bevad, running for Board of Education on a team of three, with Sally Tong and John Papeika.
Kristen: Who are you?
Carolina: My name is Carolina Bevad. I’m a certified elementary, ESL and special education teacher, mom of 3, and in-person education advocate.
Kristen: Why are you running?
Carolina: As a certified elementary, ESL and special education teacher, I noticed shortcomings with last year’s virtual platform, which motivated me to advocate for better planning, creativity, communication and leadership. I devoted significant time to that cause and learned a lot along the way. My family and I decided that running for a position on the BOE would be a useful way to share and expand the knowledge I gained.
Kristen: What is your stance on parental choice for medical freedom in schools?
Carolina: I fully support parental choice for masking and Covid-19 vaccines.
Kristen: What is your favorite amendment?
Carolina: How could I choose just one? They’re all vitally important to a thriving democracy.
Kristen: Give me your best pitch on why and how we can support your campaign?
Carolina: To support my campaign, you can stand up and speak out for what you believe in. Don’t be overpowered by the opposition. Our campaign slogan is “Responsible. Invested. Bold.” Be bold; don’t back down.
To learn more, check out our:
Good luck, Carolina! We are behind you and your team. Thank you for standing up and offering to serve your community in this critically-important election.
Freedom Speaking LLC and Shielding Liberty LLC have partnered with the Child Advocate Coalition LLC to highlight candidates for office all across NJ, from local Board of Education candidates through the gubernatorial candidates. Views expressed by the candidates may or may not represent the views of the entities referenced above, however the entities are proud to provide a platform for free speech. Featured candidates are invited to submit responses to our interview questions, link their candidate and fundraising sites, and showcase their chosen photographs.