Highlands senior Jamarkus Prager is more invested in his academic career because he feels like his voice matters.
The 18-year-old is a member of the Superintendent Student Cabinet, a program by district Superintendent Monique Mawhinney across all grade levels.
“We basically talk about problems or issues and how we would resolve them,” Prager said. “I feel like it makes a difference.”
About 25 students participate in monthly, informal chats with Mawhinney and other administrators. They exchange ideas in an open forum without embarrassment.
It was the student panel who suggested vape detectors at the high school, member Gracie Baker said.
“We talk about everything,” she said. “That was a big problem a couple of years ago, and it’s helping a lot. It’s kind of like a safe space.”
Mawhinney established the cabinets shortly after being appointed superintendent in 2019. She said it was important that each group included diversity in ethnicity, economic background, learning and behavioral styles and life experience.
“The purpose of these cabinets is to give students a meaningful voice in shaping their school experience,” she said. “Together, we discuss topics such as learning, school climate, extracurricular activities and student well-being, and also explore ways to keep improving our schools.”
According to education platform Branching Minds, student engagement can have critical impacts that include excelled academics, a stronger school connection and positive well-being.
A sense of belonging can keep at bay delinquency, substance abuse and apathy, according to New York-based nonprofit expandedschools.org.
Their website said student panels foster collaboration and help students to develop key skills like public speaking, teamwork and leadership.
Panels also encourage peer learning and the benefit of perspective.
“It really helps get our voices out, which means a lot,” senior Keegan Babinsack said. “They actually sit and listen.”
Babinsack said there’s also a lot of opportunity afforded to members to get involved around the school and larger community. They help coordinate the Highlands Veterans Day program and other outreach events. Mawhinney said part of the expectation for student panel members is to serve as positive role models for their peers.
Last week, high school panel members visited the middle school to talk with eighth graders about what to expect when they become freshmen.
“We talked about behavior at the high school, academics, athletics and how to manage it all,” Babinsack said. “It’s different when it comes from a person their own age. They hear from adults all day – they actually sat up and listened to us.”
Mawhinney said more students request to join the panel every year, especially in the older grades.
“This makes me happy because word is spreading among the student bodies about the changes that can be made, as their voices are being heard,” she said.
