Jamesville-DeWitt High School senior Grace Evans is serving as the 2021-22 Ex-Officio Student Board Member on the Jamesville-DeWitt Central School District Board of Education.
In May 2019, voters approved the non-voting position, which is annually filled by a high school senior for a one-year term. The student member, who is elected by their high school peers, may sit with the board at all public board meetings and public hearings but may not attend executive sessions.
To get to know Grace a bit, we asked her the following questions.
Why did you want to serve on the board of education?
I believe that student representation on the board of education is extremely important to the decision process that does ultimately affect students’ educational and extracurricular experience at J-D. From writing for the school newspaper to fundraising for student government, I grew to know and admire many of my peers and wanted to provide them with an individual yet collective voice on the board. In addition, the experience of attending the board meeting themselves, which any student can do, is invaluable and has already taught me so much in the sense that each member contributes to the discussion in an entirely unique way that comes from their deep concern for the well-being of each student.
What issues do you think are important to J-D students?
There are a lot of varying issues important to students. So far, there is consistency in the topics of COVID-19 guidelines, construction updates and the school resource officer. A new topic that was recently brought to me by one of my classmates was the no tolerance policy on hats and hoodies throughout the school day in the district.
How do you plan to stay in tune with the student body so you are sharing their views with the board of education?
Communication platforms are so important to gathering and voicing the thoughts of the student population with the board of education. My personal favorite of these platforms is Instagram. It’s easy, familiar, accessible and widely used. There are multiple features that allow me to not only collect the views of the students, but also share the happenings of the board. My specific Student Board Representative Instagram is @gracestudentboardrep, on which I post surveys, meeting agendas, meeting minutes, policy breakdowns and other important information.
How many years have you been a J-D student?
This year marks my 13th year as a student at J-D.
What elementary school did you attend?
Moses-DeWitt Elementary School.
What do you like best about being a high school student?
I love so much about being a high school student. Firstly, I love the unique high school experience itself. There’s something so exhilarating about studying hard to get a good grade on a test on weekdays and cheering on our state-recognized teams at games on the weekends. There are so many important stepping stones to adulthood that take place in high school, and just the experimental aspect of being young allows so much room for personal growth and development. Secondly, the opportunity to be involved in so many different activities. Never again will we be able to play multiple sports while juggling numerous clubs and a diverse course load. Through all of these experiences, we are able to learn more about ourselves and our passions. Thirdly and finally, I love the atmosphere of the building. There are a variety of extreme highs and lows that come with being in high school, but knowing that you’re truly never alone in any celebration or struggle makes it so much easier to experience.
Do you participate in any interscholastic sports teams, extracurricular activities or play a musical instrument?
I work at Wegmans as a Cart-to-Curb Shopper and Onondaga Golf and Country Club as a lifeguard. I am Co-President of the Senior Class, Lifestyle Editor of the RamPage, Executive Producer of the RamFeed, Secretary of Unified Friends, as well as a member of Model United Nations, Students Against Destructive Decisions and Math Team. I am on the Girls Varsity Swimming and Diving Team and the Girls Varsity Lacrosse Team.
What are your plans after graduation?
I would like to attend a four-year college that has the resources and connections to provide me with an education that will set me up for success later in life.
Do you have a dream job?
My dream job is any profession that enables me to travel internationally and interact with and learn about people of different backgrounds. I could see myself fulfilling this desire as a journalist, a teacher or some kind of diplomatic administrator.
Have you ever met someone famous?
I met Bill Nye the Science Guy at Global Citizen’s Festival almost two years ago. Starstruck was an understatement!
What food could you eat every day and not get tired of it?
Ice cream
What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
Death by Chocolate
What’s your favorite movie or TV show?
Movie: “To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before”
Show: “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series”
Do you have a favorite book?
“Untamed” by Glennon Doyle
What’s your favorite school subject?
English
If you could eat lunch with one famous person, who would it be?
Meghan Markle
It’s 11 p.m. Are you ready for bed or wide awake?
For the most part, ready for bed. I occasionally go through periods of time, however, when I will be wide awake.
What is your favorite type of music?
I listen to almost anything. Most of my playlists are alternative, though, because my favorite band is the Lumineers.
What is something you’ve never done that you’d like to try?
I would love to learn to sail! I have a camp on the Thousand Islands and a small Sunfish sailboat but have never made the attempt to learn how to use it.
What accomplishment of yours are you most proud of?
My greatest accomplishment is initiating reform concerning the mental health of students at J-D. In the midst of a global pandemic and both a physical and mental health crisis, I recognized the failures of our own school district to address growing mental illness among students. I then wrote a letter to the staff and administration sharing multiple solutions that would be both easy and effective to implement in classes. I received recognition for this letter at an administrative level and improvements (such as The Positivity Project) were implemented in response.
What is something that not many people know about you that would surprise most people?
I have a huge family. My mother is one of five, and my father is one of 11, which is a circumstance that has filled my youth with gatherings and reunions consisting of countless aunts, uncles and cousins. I’ve learned that in a family as expansive as my own, it’s nearly impossible for all members to act and think homogeneously. In that, multiple relatives are of varying races, ethnicities, religions and sexualities, each offering their own unique perspective on life. This diversity within the unified force that my family constitutes has taught me to respect all people and their backgrounds, which is a trait that guides my approach to discussion on the board!