State School Superintendent Richard Woods recently selected Putnam County High School student Ty Young to serve on his 2024-25 State Superintendent Student Advisory Council.
Other local students named as new State Superintendent Student Advisory Council members include Valery Orozco Alonzo of Morgan County High School and Maya Johnson, Tarnia Miller, and Joshua Wright, all from Baldwin County High School.
Woods named 75 Georgia students from 1,550 applicants in grades 10-12 to serve on the council.
The council will meet with him four times throughout the school year to provide feedback on the impact of state policies in the classroom. The students will also act as advisors who communicate between the Department of Education and Georgia students.
“Student Advisory Council allows students to share their feedback directly with me and other state leaders and to help shape the future of education in Georgia,” Woods said. “We want to hear from students about what’s working, what’s not, and what we can do to make our schools better places to learn. Meeting and learning about each council member are highlights of my work. Their feedback, opinions, and perspectives provide insight that Georgia Department of Education leadership, staff, and I use to make the best possible policy choices.”
Student Advisory Council members must participate in a service project each school year as part of their commitment to the organization, to engage with their communities, to develop leadership skills, and to contribute to meaningful causes.
The service project can vary from local community clean-up efforts and charity fundraisers to educational workshops and social advocacy campaigns to help foster a sense of civic responsibility and teamwork.
This experiential learning is intended to help students understand the impact they can have on their community and encourage them to continue engaging in service activities beyond their time on the council.
Students apply for the advisory council at the beginning of each school year by obtaining an application from their school or this website.
A committee of Georgia Department of Education representatives chooses members based on each applicant’s responses to questions.
The new Students Advisory Council's meetings are scheduled for Nov. 14, Jan. 23, 2025, March 6, 2025, and April 24, 2025, though next year’s dates remain subject to change.