The Mississippi Department of Education announced this week the formation of the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council, which includes five students from Columbia High School.
The council’s purpose is to provide a forum for Mississippi’s students to offer diverse perspectives to State Superintendent Carey Wright, according to a news release.
Leah Nolan, Hannah Watts, Shantel Rich, Elisha Brown and Jade Thomas were the five chosen from the school. Columbia has the most students on the 83-person council. All of the students from Columbia are juniors except Brown, who is a senior.
The council is open to 11th and 12th graders and is a two-year appointment. More than 150 students applied. Each student had to write a letter saying what the student could bring to the council, including things they would change.
Wright said in a statement that she looks forward to hearing directly from students on issues of importance to them.
Nolan said she would like to personalize the classroom curriculum to allow students to learn at a speed that is right for them. She said right now if a student hasn’t learned the application yet but others have, the teacher moves on. She would like it to be so all the students are learning the curriculum even if it takes different times for each one.
Rich said to have more classes that deal with the real world, such as learning how to write a check, reconcile a checkbook and rent an apartment.
Watts’ comment was having state tests creates standardized students.
Moving at a pace that was fair to everyone was a concern of Brown, and making the environment more comfortable in the classroom and with each other is what Thompson had to say.
Principal Braxton Stowe said, “I am extremely proud of these five young women. Our vision at CHS is to ‘develop all students as strong leaders,’ and it is evident by their selection to this council they are helping us bring our vision to life.”
“I hope they will continue to be an example for all of our younger students who aspire to be leaders,” Stowe said.
The statewide council will allow the students to meet and interact with students from all over the state.
The council will meet twice a year: once in the fall and the other in the spring. The fall meeting has not been set yet for this year. “I am certain they will represent Columbia School District well,” Stowe said.
