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CCSD Thanks School Board Student Delegates

CCSD Thanks School Board Student Delegates

The 2022-23 Student Advisor and Student Delegates to the Cherokee County School Board were honored at the May school board meeting.  From left, front row: Emily Paulson of River Ridge HS, School Board Chair Kyla Cromer, board member Dr. Susan Padgett-Harrison, Catherine Butterworth of Cherokee HS, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower, board member Kelly Poole; back row, Lydia Lord of Woodstock HS, Erin Bradley of Etowah HS, board Vice Chair Rick Steiner, board member John Harmon, Carson Heath of Creekview HS, board member Erin Ragsdale.  Not pictured: Taryn Mareau of Sequoyah HS and board member Patsy Jordan.

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

For more than 20 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.

Carson Heath of Creekview HS served as Student Advisor for the past school year and was joined by Student Delegates: of Cherokee HS, Catherine Butterworth; of Etowah HS, Erin Bradley; of River Ridge HS, Emily Paulson; of Sequoyah HS, Taryn Mareau; and of Woodstock HS, Lydia Lord.

“We greatly appreciate our Delegates’ service to our School Board, our school district and the entire community,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower said.  “Their insight as to how we can improve our operations and programs is invaluable.  They are among our brightest and busiest students, yet, as servant leaders, they chose to share their time with us for the past year.  Thank you for your service, and we wish you all the best!”

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 in May, the Delegates are thanked for their service and invited to share their future plans.  Each will be honored at graduation ceremonies with special cords, and each received a $100 Amazon gift card, donated by the Cherokee County Educational Foundation, in appreciation of their service. 

The Delegates also were invited to share advice with their fellow graduates.  You can watch their speeches online here; their recognition begins at 1:31:40. 

Catherine will attend Georgia College and State University to study exercise science on the pre-physical therapy track.  Her career goal is to become a physical therapist.

Carson is headed to Georgia Tech, as a Stamps President’s Scholar, to study mechanical engineering.  He is considering a career as a biomechanical engineer with a focus on designing prosthetics.

Erin will attend Virginia Tech, with three scholarships, to major in secondary education.  She plans to become a high school teacher, citing her experience as a Delegate as influencing her path.

Emily, who has been named co-valedictorian for River Ridge HS, is headed to the University of Georgia and plans to study economics.

Taryn will attend the University of Georgia, with a UGA Charter Scholarship and ABM Scholarship, to study biomedical engineering on the pre-law track.  Her career goal is to develop biotechnology and associated patents.  

Lydia is headed to Rhodes College, with a Rhodes Grant and Presidential Scholarship, to study philosophy and English.  She plans to attend law school and pursue a career in immigration law.

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