For the first time, four high school students will have a seat at the table of the Orleans/Niagara BOCES Board of Education, the policy-making body of the local BOCES district.
Two of the students, Derek Hendler (North Tonawanda) and Gianna Rowles (Newfane) will act as primary non-voting ex-officio board trustees, while Madilynn Warren (Wilson) and Emiliana Batista (Medina) have been named alternatives.
“Our BOCES is required to have two ex-officio student members because we have 13 component districts in our region,” noted district superintendent and CEO Taweepon Farrar. “We are thrilled to welcome the students to the board table. Student voices matters, and this opportunity provides an important bridge between our leadership and the learners we serve.”
Hendler is a student in the HVAC program at Niagara Career and Technical Education Center, and serves as a SkillsUSA officer and president of the local chapter. “These experiences have helped me to grow as a leader and taught me the importance of teamwork, responsibility and community service,” he said.
Rowles is enrolled in the cosmetology program at Orleans Career and Technical Education Center and is the vice president of the SkillsUSA Area 1 chapter. She said she hopes to become a leader in the cosmetology field of cosmetology, by innovating and pushing the boundaries of the trade.
Warren is enrolled in the Early Childhood Education program at NCTEC. Her goal is to be a teacher.
Batista is enrolled in the Allied Health program at Medina Memorial Hospital and plans to someday specialize in radiological technology. She is the secretary of the SkillsUSA chapter and recently competed in the Health Knowledge Bowl.
A new New York State law requires all school districts and Boards of Cooperative Educational Services to appoint at least one ex-officio, non-voting student member to their board of education beginning July 1. The legislation aimed to empower students, provide them with a platform to engage in educational policy discussions and foster civic engagement among youth.
The students serving on the Orleans/Niagara BOCES board have attended high school within their home district for at least one year prior to their term and are currently participating in one of the local BOCES programs. Their role will be to advocate for all students enrolled in a BOCES program, gain leadership experience, and collaborate with the board by sharing their perspectives and experiences.