Ethel High School junior Katy Jo Newman has been selected to serve on the state superintendent’s Student Advisory Council and was chosen as alternate student representative for the state of Mississippi.
She applied for a council position a year ago, and in January, she was notified she had been selected as one of the top 12 applicants and was placed on the council. Following an interview, she learned she was among the top four candidates for the position of student representative for the state of Mississippi. After an additional interview, she was selected as the alternate representative for the state of Mississippi. She will serve on the council for a term of two school years.
The purpose of the council is to provide a forum for Mississippi students from different regions, school sizes, and backgrounds to communicate their diverse opinions about educational policy to Mississippi’s superintendent of education.
“I’ve seen how different aspects of our culture are effecting students nationwide as well as statewide,” said Newman.
Meetings will be held in the spring and fall where students can offer their advice.
“It has been pretty great,” said Newman of her experience so far. “It has allowed me to see some different viewpoints from other students across the state. It has also given me insight on how to help my school in growing to higher expectations.”
Newman is passionate about education, and she plans to become a teacher.
“I’m glad that God gave me this opportunity,” said Newman. “It’s given me great insight on how to better become a teacher one day and also to help the students around me now.”
Newman has lived in Ethel her whole life and has enjoyed representing Ethel High School in this way.
“When I first interviewed, they told me that I was the first 1A student to apply. Especially with me getting as far as I did, it’s a big accomplishment, for everyone. When I started, I wanted to make a voice for the smaller schools, because often they get overlooked,” said Newman.
1A schools are usually schools with fewer than 200 students enrolled.
“If anybody wants to send information my way that I can relay to the state board, I’d be happy to do that,” she concluded.
