CCSD Congratulates School Board Student Delegates

The 2023-24 Student Advisor and Student Delegates to the Cherokee County School Board were honored at the May school board meeting.  From left, front row: School Board Chair Kyla Cromer, Bella Postel of Etowah HS, Sophia Aleck of Sequoyah HS, Gina Ross of Creekview HS, Riley Stray of Woodstock HS, board member Dr. Susan Padgett-Harrison; back row: board member Kelly Poole, board member Erin Ragsdale, Vice Chair Patsy Jordan, Caleb Lewis of River Ridge HS, board member John Harmon, board member Rick Steiner, Makenzie Bird of Cherokee HS and Superintendent of Schools Mary Elizabeth Davis. 

The Cherokee County School District congratulates its Class of 2024 School Board Delegates on completing their year of service!

For 25 years, the School Board has invited an outstanding high school senior to serve a one-year term as its Student Advisor; the program later expanded to include a senior Student Delegate from each high school.  The Advisor role rotates among CCSD’s high schools.

Makenzie Bird of Cherokee High School served as Student Advisor for the past school year and was joined in service by Student Delegates: Gina Ross of Creekview HS; Bella Postel of Etowah HS; Caleb Lewis of River Ridge HS; Sophia Aleck of Sequoyah HS; and Riley Stray of Woodstock HS. 

The Delegates attend all School Board meetings as student representatives, and throughout the year meet in work sessions with the Superintendent’s senior staff to advise them on important issues, ranging from the code of conduct and student support services to technology resources and new entrée planning by School Nutrition.

Students selected by their schools for the role share common traits: they rank in the top of their class academically; they are school leaders involved in numerous teams and clubs; and they volunteer in their school’s service organizations and in their communities.  Each school determines its own selection process; students interested in the opportunity are encouraged to speak with their principal.

At the School Board meeting this month, the Delegates were thanked for their service and invited to share their future plans and advice for their fellow graduates.  Each will be honored at graduation ceremonies this week with special cords, and each received a $100 Amazon gift card, donated by the Cherokee County Educational Foundation, in appreciation of their service. 

Congratulations and thank you to our Student Advisor and Delegates!

Makenzie will attend Brigham Young University to study communications with a focus on journalism.  Her career goal is to write for magazines and newspapers and as a novelist.  Her advice included to “laugh more often.”

Gina is headed to the University of Georgia to study marketing.  She plans to work in advertising.  Her advice included to “always pursue any opportunity presented to you.”

Bella, who is salutatorian for Etowah HS, will attend Princeton University to major in public and international affairs.  She is considering a career in government or pre-law.  Her advice included to “take advantage of every opportunity, but don’t forget to smell the roses.”

Caleb, who is valedictorian for River Ridge HS, is headed to Dartmouth College and plans to study economics.  His career goal is to work in management consulting.  His advice included to maintain a sense of “healthy optimism … maintaining a positive attitude is the best thing you can do for yourself.”
 
Sophia will attend Coastal Carolina University to study marine science.  She plans to work as a marine biologist.  Her advice included to “take every day as it comes, for you will never live it again.”

Riley is headed to the University of Georgia to major in biochemistry and molecular biology.  She plans to pursue a career in the medical field or in scientific research.  Her advice included to “make the most of every situation … always view life with the glass half full.”

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