UPPER LAKE, Calif. – The Upper Lake High School District Board appointed a new member to fill a vacant position at its Wednesday night meeting.

Wanda Quitiquit of Nice was appointed to fill a position vacated by Ron Raetz, who last November was elected to the Upper Lake Elementary School Board.

Following her appointment, Quitiquit was sworn in and seated for the rest of the meeting.

“It's going to be a challenge, but I’m excited,” Quitiquit told Lake County News on Wednesday evening following the meeting.

Quitiquit had run for the Upper Lake High School Board last fall, when there were two seats on the ballot. However, she finished just out of the running, behind Keith Austin and Richard Swaney, as Lake County News has reported.

Quitiquit, who has experience serving on other local boards, said she hopes to bring her skills and diversity to the board.

“It's opening a new door,” she said.

She said she’s the first American Indian to sit on the board, and hopes to be a liaison to local tribes.

“I just hope I can bring some change,” she said.

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