Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) is proud to introduce the new student representatives to the School Board: C.D. Hylton High School senior Almudena Latorre Melendez, Unity Reed High School senior Alaa Rashed, and alternate representative and Brentsville District High School senior Kailey Thom. These dedicated seniors bring a wealth of experience, passion, and commitment to advocacy in hopes of further enriching the educational experience for all students in the county.
“I think it is important to have students be included, especially through the Student Voice Committees that are growing throughout the division,” said Rashed. “Overall, we should all feel as if we have a place in the county, and I want to expand this idea as a student representative.”
Similarly, Melendez’s experience on her school’s Student Voice Committee motivated her to apply to become a student representative.
“I was able to witness the innovative solutions students can come up with if they are given the chance. This further inspired me to become a student representative since I knew it would allow me to propose initiatives that could help improve the learning experience for all students in Prince William County,” she said.
Thom echoes the sentiments of her fellow representatives in advocating for student input.
“We are the purpose and the center of the educational system, and our feedback should help that system be able to better serve us and help us to become prepared to tackle the issues of the 21st century with confidence and grace,” she said.
Each student representative brings a unique perspective and a shared commitment to making PWCS a more inclusive and supportive environment. They encourage all students to get involved with the Student Voice Committee at their school and participate in shaping their schools' future.
Students can reach out directly through PWCS email to their student representative with questions, comments, or input. For staff wishing to connect with student representatives, please contact their staff liaison, Melissa Viola-Askey, at [email protected].