The school board student representative position brings the student voice to people on the school board and serves as a way to include the student body in the workings of higher administration. The student rep is responsible for going to each school board meeting, speaking on behalf of the students of the district, informing the admins on how the school is running and of any issues that have come up.
People involved within the school and community would be ideal to be the district’s student rep. Former student rep, Eric Gitson, explains that with the student rep position, a needed quality is engagement with activities outside academics.
“Being a good student is important to demonstrate that you have the necessary maturity and responsibility,” Gitson said. “But, it’s best for an applicant for this position to be engaged beyond academics.”
When asked about the selection process, Hayes Principal Rex Reeder described it simply as a form students fill out about their academic history in addition to their extracurriculars and interests unique to them.
There was some nuance to the process, since Reeder said he wants the process to be objective instead of choosing based on personal preferences or popularity. There are often many candidates that have good vision for progress within the school.
“Everyone that turned in [applications] was very positive and had different ideas,” Reeder said. “It wasn’t an easy choice by any means.”
Reeder’s process then moves to taking references for each candidate and having the administrative team look over. He also ensures the previous year’s rep has a look at the applicants.
Reeder said he believes that this is their legacy and they have a right to take a look at the applications. The previous year’s rep doesn’t choose; however, they can make a suggestion to Reeder and he’ll then recommend one among the candidates to the Administrative team.
Reeder and Gitson agree on the fact that Greta Walraven earned this position, both emphasizing her positivity and optimistic outlook on improvements for the school.
Walraven does meet these standards; she wants to make a difference in the whole district to keep students more connected, and she wants to make sure communication with the student body is well maintained.
“I’m most involved in making sure every student feels seen and heard, and [that]…everyone has a friend group,” Walraven said.
This position poses a challenging experience as well. Gitson mentioned feeling less confident than he would’ve liked when he was starting out in the role.
“It feels like [being] the kid who is at the ‘grown-ups table,’” Gitson said. “I would’ve liked to embrace the role and come into my own with more confidence much earlier on.”
Gitson said he felt anxious about meetings, and being unsure of his abilities for the first couple of months in this position. Walraven, on the other hand, thought of other challenges she might face.
“I don’t always see other aspects of the school,” Walraven said. “I see them but I’m not actually involved in any of [them].”
Walraven said she believes that representing and speaking on the behalf of groups she isn’t involved in will be a challenge.
Reeder plans to start meeting with the Student Advisory Board again early this year, which was able to accomplish multiple facility improvements over the summer, such as new water bottle fillers and floors/stalls in many of the bathrooms.
He said he wants to use this board again to further the connection to the student rep, as sort of a cabinet for the student rep to send up concerns, using Walraven’s position as a conduit.
“The Student Advisory Board represents the student body,” Reeder said. “More students should get involved if they want their voice heard.”
Reeder said he believes in the student voice, and especially the student rep as a means to get their voices and opinions heard.
“Students have ideas, and I think that’s important,” Reeder said. “[The advisory board] gives some opportunities to make the building better.”
