Candidate for
Member, Board of Education; Mount Vernon City School District

Maria Cedano has been a resident of Mount Vernon for over eight years. She is married, with four children, her older son graduated from Columbia University and is currently a captain in the USA army. Her middle son is a graduate of La Guardia HS and is a Sound Engineer. Her youngest is currently a junior at the State University of Albany. During her career, as a social worker she has been providing mental health services and helping children achieve their educational goals. During her long career, Maria was a program coordinator for a "I Have a Dream program", worked as Counselor for "Aspira, NY" as well as for the "Upward Bound Program" at Boys & Girls Harbor. In all of these positions guiding young people with the college admission process, being a mentor, counselor and mental health services provider. Currently working as a Social Worker at the Mount Vernon Neighborhood Health Center's adolescence department. In addition to mental health services, Maria Cedano coordinates a weight management program combating childhood obesity. During her past tenure in the Mount Vernon School Board, Maria Cedano, served as Vice President and chaired the parent involvement committee. She was first elected to the Mount Vernon School Board in 2005 and then again in 2008. Maria did not run in 2009. Maria continues to work towards strengthening student achievement by serving as a advocate for children at her current job, through Cimarron Community Services and the Dominican Club. She is a avid participant at community meetings while working to foster better understanding and communication among the different ethnic groups that make Mount Vernon their home.