LA JOYA — On Monday, the La Joya Independent School District board of trustees thanked one board member for his services and welcomed another.

Trustee Jose A. “Fito” Salinas recently resigned from the LJISD school board after he was elected mayor of La Joya, leaving the position vacant. This week, the remaining board members moved to approve Sullivan City native Isaac V. Sulemana to fill the vacant post.

Sulemana, a 2004 La Joya High School graduate, was unanimously approved by the board members present. Judge Jesse Contreras swore in the new board member as more than 100 family and friends watched.

“I was raised by the community,” Sulemana said while addressing the crowd after he was sworn in. “Everyone from the bus drivers, lunch ladies, instructional assistants and teachers played a big part in where I am today.”

Sulemana received his bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University-College Station in 2009 and is a 2011 graduate of the University of Texas Law School.

“Now that I have been able to reach my educational goals, it is my turn to give back and help the next generation,” he said. “I can promise you that I will not turn my back on my community.”

Sulemana also took the opportunity to thank his mother, Rafaela Villalon, a 34-year employee of the district, for her service and for being his inspiration.