Whether she’s lifting weights before sunrise, leading a protest to save school libraries or teaching children to read Hebrew, freshman Alex Levin moves through life with purpose, passion and a fierce sense of justice.
Practicing Judaism has played a key role in shaping Levin’s character, motivating her to become the best version of herself. It has empowered her to stand up for her beliefs, do what is right, and speak her mind with confidence.
She first learned this principle from Sunday school lessons at her temple, Temple Beth Torah, when she was younger, and it continues to impact her to this day. Now, she teaches third through sixth graders how to read and write in Hebrew on Sunday mornings. One of Levin’s dreams is to become an elementary school teacher.
“Alex is very helpful to others and the kids at the temple. She always keeps a positive attitude and the kids love her,” freshman Healey Ramot said. “She’s very compassionate which will make her a very good teacher someday.”
Levin plans to major in child development at a college in California, driven by her passion for teaching and her desire to continue doing what she loves. With both parents working as educators, her upbringing has undoubtedly influenced her approach to learning and inspired her to pursue a similar path in education.
“She is not someone who takes things for granted and works for everything she does,” teacher-librarian and A. Levin’s dad Joel Levin said. “She serves as a beacon of light for others making a difference and choosing to do the right thing even if it isn’t easy.”
Levin’s passion for education extends beyond the classroom. She has made a significant impact by actively opposing staff and library cuts. She created posters and petitions, gathering over a thousand signatures both online and in person to rally support. Passionate about protecting school resources, she protested to help preserve library access and safeguard staff positions.
“It is really cool to hear hundreds of kids chanting ‘Save our libraries.’ Knowing my dad is a librarian just makes my heart so happy,” Levin said.
Levin came up with the idea to bring her petition to each of her classes, speaking directly to her classmates to raise awareness about the issue and announce the walkout at the government center Feb. 24. Her efforts were recognized when she was featured in the Ventura County Star and KEYT News.
“Alex has a strong sense of justice and shows empathy and leadership,” English teacher Karen Childress said. “She took her values and her morals that she believed in and spread awareness.”
Levin’s involvement in the protest inspired many, motivating her to take her advocacy further by speaking at the Board of Education meeting at the district office. The uncertainty surrounding the fate of the libraries drove her to speak up and share her concerns.
“The board members are here because of us. Our voices matter the most and hope I inspired people to speak out if they feel strongly about something,” Levin said.
Taking on all these responsibilities can be overwhelming, but Levin knows where to turn for relief. “When I’m overwhelmed with school, playing the piano and reading ground me, and they’re such stress relievers,” Levin said.
Music plays a central role in Levin’s life; she plays the piano, violin, and ukulele. Having always loved singing, Levin participates in her temple’s choir and in the music department at Buena. She was in the Not-so-Silent-Night concert fall of 2024 and performed five piano songs for the album. Music holds a special place in Levin’s household, with her mother playing the piano and her father playing the guitar. For Levin, music is a meaningful outlet that helps her relax and express herself.
“I am very passionate about music and singing. Whenever I get overwhelmed I put my headphones on and put on my favorite playlist,” Levin said.
Additionally, Levin is an editor for Pawprint, Buena’s literary magazine, where students submit original writing and artwork. She ensures each piece is grammatically correct and properly formatted, describing the club as both “relaxing and satisfying.”
Though Levin has a busy schedule, as a freshman, she is already making a notable impact on campus. She recently launched a new book club with fellow freshman Liana Reyes, which meets every other Friday in the library. The club kicked off on May 2, starting with “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins. Together, they plan to explore the characters’ struggles and delve into themes found in modern classic literature.
Balancing academics and extracurriculars isn’t always easy, but Levin keeps things in perspective: “Take one day at a time and put one foot in front of the other. You’re going to get through it, so don’t stress over the little things.”
