As Delaware City’s Student School Board Representative, Mazie Fitzharris has a voice.
Her job is vital to keeping a fresh point of view in the school board when making decisions that directly impact students. As the representative, Fitzharris attends monthly school board meetings and shares the student perspective on school issues with community members.
“I give a presentation about what’s going on [with students]… so I talk a lot about plays, musicals, sports team achievements and house activities,” Fitzharris said.
Fitzharris applied for the position of student representative in the spring of last year.
“It piqued my interest because I was really good friends with the previous student representative,” Fitzharris said. “I started [attending some meetings]… and I really enjoyed it, so I applied.”
Students apply near the end of their junior year and are chosen for the role through careful selection by administration working with the standing representative. Fitzharris was a strong applicant due to her experience with government positions through Youth in Government as well as through Buckeye Girls State.
“Mazie really sticks out because of how involved she is in the community at Hayes and just how much she cares about the community,” Principal Jake Shafer said. “I’m so proud of her and we’re so lucky to have her in our building and on our school board.”
Along with attending the school board meetings, Fitzharris’s position includes leading student advisory board meetings with Shafer. The student advisory board is a group that meets every Friday to give students an opportunity to voice their thoughts and ideas about important issues within the school.
“I like that everyone is welcome [at advisory meetings],” student advisory board member Otto Ely said. “Mazie brings everyone together, including Dr. Shafer.”
A common thread throughout her work is that Fitzharris is an admired part of each group to which she dedicates herself.
“She has the characteristics of a leader, which are amazing, but she doesn’t just want to be in leadership to boss people around and get her own ideas out there,” Shafer said. “She really listens to what people want and she tries to do what’s best for the entire Hayes community.”
Not only is Fitzharris well received, she also loves what she does.
“My favorite thing about my job is probably the student advisory board meetings,” Fitzharris said. “They’re a really great opportunity to hear… what the main issues are from a student perspective that I might not see because I’m not involved in every area of the school.”
One initiative the student advisory board has been working towards this year is starting a Esports team. The team has created an opportunity for more students to get involved at Hayes and began practicing and competing last fall.
“I’m really passionate about growing our community… and allowing people to be as involved as they can be within our school,” Fitzharris said.
