Superior-Greenstone DSB Students Garner Board and Provincial Appointments
MARATHON, ON – The Superior-Greenstone District School Board (SGDSB) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mia Audia-Gagnon of Geraldton Composite High School as its Student Trustee, effective August 1, 2016 for a one-year term. Also confirmed this week are the appointments of Alex Halonen of Lake Superior High School and Maresa Gauvin of Nipigon-Red Rock District High School as members of the Minister of Education’s 2016-2017 Student Advisory Council.
Audi-Gagnon, a grade 11 student was acclaimed by her peers on the Student Senate following her candidacy address held May 16. She has always taken an interest in her school community being a member of Student Council throughout her high school career and she has been a Student Senate member in both grade 9 and 11. She is active in sports and has a summer project planned with the “Me-To-We” organization where she will travel to Ecuador to help build a school and learn about the rights of the country’s women and indigenous people.
Alex Halonen and Maresa Gauvin were two of 60 candidates appointed to the Minister’s Student Advisory Council (MSAC). They were shortlisted from 450 student applications submitted province-wide. These two students are responsible to meet with the Minister at least twice during the 2016-2017 school year.
With their student colleagues, they are responsible to provide student perspectives, recommendations and consultation on the Ministry’s policies, programs and practices. Minister Sandals looks to the MSAC for advice and feedback on the ministry’s student engagement activities. Once their term concludes they will join a network of MSAC alumni who provide support for future council members. Director of Education David Tamblyn commented on the appointments saying,
“We are proud of Alex and Maresa’s example of student engagement outside the classroom and their willingness to take on roles in the political arena for the greater good of their peers. These students represent the leaders of tomorrow and their success early on in their careers is indicative of our board motto, that small schools make a difference.” Since its inception, Superior-Greenstone DSB has had four student appointments to the MSAC, said Tamblyn.
Tamblyn went on the congratulate Audia-Gagnon, saying that he looks forward to working with her at the board table. “The student voice at the board table is highly valued by all trustees. As a board, we gain a better understanding of the impact that we, as educators have on the students in our schools,” said Tamblyn. “There are a myriad of approaches to ensuring student engagement and achievement are realized and our student trustee provides us with some insight into our successes and yes, our shortcomings too,” he said.
Mia Audia-Gagnon of Geraldton Composite High School, SGDSB Student Trustee 2016-17. Submitted photo
About her upcoming year as student trustee, Audia-Gagnon said, “I will stand up for students and be their voice. I hope to collaborate with students so they can voice their issues and I aspire to bring new, unique and creative ideas to the board. I believe students need to be heard and that’s why I ran for student trustee but, I’m even more honoured that I got the position.”
