Bend-La Pine superintendent names Youth Advisory Team

Bend-La Pine Schools Superintendent Shay Mikalson is pleased to announce the elected officers for the newly formed Superintendent’s Student Advisory Team, which will serve to offer insights about issues affecting local schools and students.

Darian Wilson, a freshman at La Pine High School, will serve as the president; Zemirah Kamanya, an eighth-grader at High Desert Middle School will serve as vice president; and Izzy Armstrong, an eighth-grader from Pilot Butte Middle School will serve as secretary.

The team, which is made up of 11 local middle and high school students, met for the first-time earlier this month. The students began exploring topics they would like to tackle during the 2017-18 school year, including bullying, technology and educational opportunities for students.

“Listening to student voices is important to me. My goal is to better understand the experiences of our students, so I can better serve them,” said Superintendent Mikalson. “I am excited to see what this diverse team of dynamic and engaged students can accomplish together.”

“I’m really looking forward to working with other students and the Superintendent to change our schools for the better,” said Darian, who said he’s excited to take on the role of president.

During the first meeting with the team, Mikalson challenged students to share their perspectives openly and to think big. “I want them to help me think differently and challenge assumptions.”

The team will meet with Mikalson throughout the 2017-18 school year.

Other members of the team include: Emma Beaver from Bend Senior High School; Katy Klein from Cascade Middle School; Amanda Stevens from La Pine High School; Francisco Olague Gonzalez from Mountain View High School; Marly Howell from Pacific Crest Middle School; Ryan Showen from S.T.R.I.V.E., Logan Holler from Summit High School and Dylan Mann from Three Rivers School.