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2018-19 School Board Student Advisor & Delegates

 

ccsd student delegates 6 7 19

 

From left to right: School Board Vice Chair Kelly Poole, Chair Kyla Cromer, member Clark Menard, Blake Adkins of Woodstock HS, Natasha Ambriz of Sequoyah HS, Angelica Millen of River Ridge HS, member Mike Chapman, Morgan Feltham of Cherokee HS, member John Harmon, Ann Blakey of Creekview HS, Chase Thomas of Etowah HS, members Patsy Jordan and Rick Steiner, and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower.

Board Celebrates Successful Year of Service by Student Delegates

The Cherokee County School Board celebrated its Student Advisor and Student Delegates with a special send-off at the student representatives’ last meeting of the year.

The School Board has included a Student Advisor position on its board since 1999, and for the past eight years, a Student Delegate from each high school as well.  Seniors are selected by the Principal to serve in the role for their last school year.

The students complete one year of service which, for the Class of 2019, included: attending all School Board meetings; giving input and feedback to the School Board; participating in meetings to assist the: Divisions of Curriculum & Instruction, School Operations, Support Services, and Technology & Information Services; CCSD School Nutrition department; Superintendent's Ad Hoc Technology Committee and Strategic Planning Team; and Comprehensive LEA (Local Educational Agency) Improvement Plan (CLIP) Review process; as well as sharing other suggestions and input.

The Class of 2019 members recognized for the service and commitment are: Student Advisor Chase Thomas of Etowah HS, and Student Delegates: Jessica Rios of ACE Academy; Morgan Feltham of Cherokee HS; Ann Blakey of Creekview HS; Angelica Millen of River Ridge HS; Natasha Ambriz-Villela of Sequoyah HS and Blake Adkins of Woodstock HS.

They each received special honor cords to wear at their graduation ceremony and, as they walked across the auditorium to be recognized, their college and career plans and an observation about their year of service were shared with the audience.

Student Advisor Chase Thomas of Etowah High School

Chase is headed to the University of South Florida in Tampa where he will be majoring in Exercise Health and minoring in Spanish. 

His current career plans are to open his own physical therapy practice.

Chase said: “The student delegate experience opened my eyes to how large plans are crafted and tested before entering the county.  It also provided me with my first experience in giving speeches... an invaluable gift. Thank you to the Cherokee County School District for this amazing opportunity!”

Student Delegate Morgan Feltham of Cherokee High School

Morgan will be attending Berry College to study Animal Science. 

Her current career plans are to work as a Large Animal Veterinarian.

Morgan said: “I am so thankful to have been chosen as my school's delegate.  It has truly been one of the best opportunities I have ever received.  Not only have I learned so much about myself and the school district throughout this experience, but I also have had the chance to meet some incredible people who want to make a difference in the world as much as I do.”

Student Delegate Ann Blakey of Creekview High School

Ann is headed to Wheaton College in Illinois to double major in Economics and International Relations with a minor in Spanish or Political Science. 

Her current career plans are to work with the United Nations or the State Department as an Ambassador.

Ann said: “I believe that the Student Delegate Program has truly opened my eyes to the innerworkings of the school system and has provided me with great friends and great opportunities.  I am extremely grateful for this program.”

Student Delegate Angelica Millen of River Ridge High School

Angelica will be attending the University of Georgia to major in Interdisciplinary Arts.

Her current career plans are to work as a Graphic Designer.

Angelica said: “After participating in the student delegate program, I understand how professional meetings are run. I also found comfort in knowing that my county’s school board cares and listens to the student’s voice.”

Student Delegate Natasha Ambriz of Sequoyah High School

Natasha is headed to Yale University to major in political science and possibly double major in environmental studies with a focus on environmental policy.

She currently plans on attending law school, pursuing a career as a criminal defense lawyer and also hopes to run for elected office one day.

Natasha said: “The student delegate program helped me learn that I potentially want to pursue a career in public service, and I got to meet a super cool group of people from other schools that I wouldn’t have met otherwise.”

Student Delegate Blake Adkins of Woodstock High School

Blake will be attending Auburn University as a student in its Professional Flight Program. 

His current career plans are to become a pilot for Delta Air Lines.

Blake said: “The Student Delegate Program allowed me to become close and make connections with students from all parts of Cherokee County, and it allowed me to see all of the hard work and planning that goes on outside of the classroom to make CCSD one of the best school districts in Georgia!”

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CCSD Names 2018-19 Student Advisor, Student Delegates to School Board

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower congratulates the 2018-19 Student Advisor and Student Delegates; from left to right: Jessica Rios of ACE Academy; Angelica Millen of River Ridge HS; Natasha Ambriz-Villela of Sequoyah HS; Student Advisor Chase Thomas of Etowah HS; Blake Adkins of Woodstock HS; Morgan Feltham of Cherokee HS; Ann Blakey of Creekview HS.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower congratulates the 2018-19 Student Advisor and Student Delegates; from left to right: Jessica Rios of ACE Academy; Angelica Millen of River Ridge HS; Natasha Ambriz-Villela of Sequoyah HS; Student Advisor Chase Thomas of Etowah HS; Blake Adkins of Woodstock HS; Morgan Feltham of Cherokee HS; Ann Blakey of Creekview HS.

The Cherokee County School District has named the 2018-19 Student Advisor and Student Delegates to the School Board.

The School Board has included a Student Advisor position on its board since 1999, and for the past eight years, a Student Delegate from each high school also has been selected.  These students serve for one year to give input and feedback to the School Board; the advisor role is rotated among CCSD high schools.  

This year’s Student Advisor is Chase Thomas of Etowah HS.  The Student Delegates are: Jessica Rios of ACE Academy; Morgan Feltham of Cherokee HS; Ann Blakey of Creekview HS; Angelica Millen of River Ridge HS; Natasha Ambriz-Villela of Sequoyah HS; and Blake Adkins of Woodstock HS.

“These young leaders are outstanding representatives of the exceptional seniors in our high schools, and we appreciate their willingness to serve,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower said.  “They provide our School Board and me with valuable perspective that greatly assists us in our mission of ‘Educating the Emerging Generation.’”

The students began their service at the School Board meeting on August 16.  Students selected to serve as Student Advisor or Student Delegates share common traits: they excel in the classroom, often ranking in the top 10 percent of their class; they are involved in their school, often participating in numerous clubs, sports and organizations; and they seek out opportunities to serve and lead in school and in their community.

STUDENT ADVISOR: Chase Thomas of Etowah HS
Chase is a third-degree, level four black belt in taekwondo who teaches children and adults self-defense.  His numerous academic and service awards include the 2018 Spirit of the Eagle Award, which is Etowah’s highest student honor, and the Superintendent’s Key Scholar award.  Chase volunteers weekly with Hidden Falls Reading Club as well as with school and other community organizations.

STUDENT DELEGATES
ACE Academy: Jessica Rios

Jessica plays soccer and is an Honor Roll student.  She volunteers at St. Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church in Woodstock, as well as with the Under 7 Bridges program that distributes food to homeless people.

Cherokee HS: Morgan Feltham
Ranked No. 1 in her class, Morgan also is a three-time Georgia High School Rodeo State Champion and winner of the Georgia Positive Athlete Award and Georgia High School Rodeo Academic Award.  Morgan serves as vice president of the school’s National Honors Society and volunteers with Habitat for Humanity and Feed My Starving Children. 

Creekview HS: Ann Blakey
Ann serves as President of her school’s National Honor Society, class representative for its Student Government Association and as senior class editor for yearbook.  A company dancer for Hickory Flat Dance Academy, Ann is a recipient of numerous academic honors including the Superintendent’s Key Scholar award and volunteers with First Baptist Church of Woodstock’s Thrive special needs ministry and in its library. 

River Ridge HS: Angelica Millen
Angelica is a nationally recognized student photographer and serves as President of the school’s National Art Honors Society and co-editor of the yearbook.  She’s a member of the swim team and National Honors Society and earned the Girl Scout Bronze Award for her community service through the organization.

Sequoyah HS: Natasha Ambriz-Villela
Ranked first in her class, Natasha is a member of the school’s nationally competitive debate team and serves on the newspaper staff and in National Honors Society.  Her numerous academic honors include the Superintendent’s Key Scholar award, and she volunteers weekly at the Cherokee Family Violence Center and with her church, St. Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church in Woodstock.

Woodstock HS: Blake Adkins
President of his school’s Student Government Association, Blake is active in numerous school organizations including Beta Club and National Honors Society.  His many academic recognitions include the Superintendent’s Key Scholar award, and Blake volunteers weekly in the community with the CARES (Cedartown Animal Rescue, Education & Sterilization) program that hosts adoption events at PetSmart in Woodstock to help abandoned dogs find forever homes.

The Cherokee County School Board and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower congratulate the 2018-19 Student Advisor and Student Delegates; from left to right: Angelica Millen of River Ridge HS; Jessica Rios of ACE Academy; Natasha Ambriz-Villela of Sequoyah HS; Student Advisor Chase Thomas of Etowah HS; Blake Adkins of Woodstock HS; Morgan Feltham of Cherokee HS; Ann Blakey of Creekview HS.

The Cherokee County School Board and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower congratulate the 2018-19 Student Advisor and Student Delegates; from left to right: Angelica Millen of River Ridge HS; Jessica Rios of ACE Academy; Natasha Ambriz-Villela of Sequoyah HS; Student Advisor Chase Thomas of Etowah HS; Blake Adkins of Woodstock HS; Morgan Feltham of Cherokee HS; Ann Blakey of Creekview HS.