SACRAMENTO — David Orta, a Hartnell College student leader, recently traveled to the state capital in Sacramento as a student journalist for the Moorpark Reporter to cover accessibility and equity issues affecting community college students. He attended the Advocacy Academy hosted at the Sheraton Grand last November, where student leaders from across California gathered to discuss critical challenges facing students.
Orta’s connection to South Monterey County runs deep. His photography has been featured over the years in local publications, including the King City Rustler and the Salinas Valley Tribune.
Now, with upcoming news stories set to be published by the Moorpark Reporter, Orta is continuing to showcase his talents in new and impactful ways. His achievements — from traveling to Sacramento to reporting on state-level issues and publishing his first stories — offer a source of pride and encouragement for others in the community who aspire to make a difference.
Since 2019, Orta has been a dedicated student leader. He began his leadership journey on his local Hartnell College student council and expanded to regional and state roles, including serving as a board member for the Student Senate for California Community Colleges (SSCCC) during the 2023-24 term. Throughout the term, he consistently advocated for the needs of disabled students by raising DSPS issues in student leadership and shared governance meetings and by drafting resolutions to promote systemic change.
One of his notable accomplishments includes advocating for hybrid participation options in student governance in 2022 and improving student accessibility statewide. In Region IV, which encompasses 11 community colleges from San Jose to King City, he launched important initiatives like the “Creative Task Force” in 2023 to systemically establish more equitable internship opportunities for artists.
An artist himself, his short-film submission “Shootout” in 2022 earned him recognition from the Monterey County Film Commission, and he received a letter of support from Monterey County Supervisor Chris Lopez that same year for his impactful contributions and promise in the field of filmmaking.
Orta’s leadership extended into STEM fields, where he worked with MESA officials and the NASA Open Science Initiative to bring high-level opportunities to students. As president of Hartnell College’s Astronomy Club, he led his team to the national finals of the NASA MITTIC competition in 2023.
In 2024, he concluded his term as the SSCCC Region IV Chairman by hosting the Pathways to Progress Summit, which focused on professionalism, racism and conflict resolution. The event provided a platform for students to share their insights through individual presentations and created a dialogue on critical issues affecting student leaders.
Despite the challenges of bullying and toxic behavior within the SSCCC organization, Orta addressed these issues head-on with professionalism by sharing resources on workplace bullying, microaggressions and equity to promote a respectful and inclusive environment.
Orta’s leadership has been widely recognized. In June 2024, he received acknowledgment from the California State Assembly for his exceptional service to students, along with an SSCCC Honor Plaque of Appreciation for his commitment to community college students.
Today, Orta continues to lead as a founding senator of the New Student Senate for California Community Colleges alongside Sacramento student leader Olivia Garcia-Godos Martinez. He also volunteers with The Hub (Salinas Valley Arts and Innovation Hub) and Science Voices, an international equity organization. As a student journalist for the Moorpark Reporter, he is committed to bringing to light inequities and student concerns to drive positive change.
Closer to home, Orta and his brother Daniel operate The A-CLUe Arts and Science Lab in Greenfield. This innovative community space offers resources, such as a MacBook Pro Lab, arts and crafts, virtual reality and a welcoming environment for study and growth. More information about the lab is available at a-clue.org.
Orta’s journey — from his roots in South Monterey County to his growing role as a student leader and journalist — exemplifies the power of determination and advocacy. His accomplishments continue to inspire others and bring pride to his local community.
Sabrina Eloise is an Education/Fashion Major at Sierra College.
