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JACKSON, Miss – The Mississippi State Board of Education (SBE) has selected junior Omar Jamil of Hernando and senior Shelby Dean of Clinton for its student representative program, which will begin in July. Student representatives will be non-voting members but will provide input on policy decisions that affect Mississippi public schools.
The students were selected through a competitive process from 52 applicants statewide. After the senior representative graduates, the junior representative will promote to the senior representative position. A new junior representative will be appointed annually.
“All the students we considered for the representative program are highly accomplished and reflect Mississippi’s outstanding public schools,” said Dr. Jason Dean, SBE chair. “The Board is looking forward to working with Omar and Shelby in the upcoming school year and to the contributions of future student representatives.”
“Every aspect of my current high school career that I have shaped has cultivated into the student the Board of Education needs to represent our statewide student body,” Omar said.
“As a representative, I would keep in mind all of my peers and keep in mind what would be beneficial for all of them, not just now, but in the long run, so that they can grow as peers, friends, and eventually leaders in the state of Mississippi,” Shelby said.
Meghan is a member of the Senior Beta Club, Future Business Leaders of America, Stringer Maroon Pride Color Guard, the Mayor’s Youth Council, the Red Cross Club, and Stringer Baseball Diamond Girls. An active community volunteer, Meghan earned the Presidential Community Service Award for her leadership and volunteer work.
Approximately 15 state boards of education have successfully implemented student advisory programs. In 2018, the SBE adopted a policy outlining the criteria for adding student representatives to the State Board.