Eleven students representing school districts statewide have been selected to serve on the first Next-Generation Student Council, a new group formed by Kentucky Education Commissioner Terry Holliday.

The eleven, listed by school district, are:

  • Boone Co., Logan VanWay, 10th grade, Boone County High
  • Bullitt Co., Forrest Miller, 12th grade, North Bullitt High
  • Burgin Ind., Brittany Hughes, 12th grade, Burgin High
  • Butler Co., Steven Peay, 11th grade, Butler County High
  • Fayette Co., Cory Banta, 12th grade, Bryan Station High
  • Henderson Co.,  Jake Walker, 11th grade, Henderson County High
  • Jefferson Co., Natalie Fahrbach, 11th grade, Louisville Male High
  • Laurel Co., Blair Walden, 11th grade, South Laurel High
  • Murray Ind.,  Tiffany Parham, 10th grade, Murray High
  • Pikeville Ind., Iman Ali, 11th grade, Pikeville High
  • Russell Ind., Morgan Casto, 10th grade, Russell High

“I’m looking forward to meeting with this group of students and hearing their ideas and thoughts about Kentucky’s public education system,” said Holliday. “These students represent the ultimate goals of our state’s educational efforts, which should culminate at the high school level with all students ready for college or careers. I’m very interested in hearing how they think Kentucky is doing in that area.”

Public school students in grades 10-12 were invited to apply for membership in the Next-Generation Student Council, which will provide valuable feedback from Kentucky students and engage student leaders in learning by doing. This group will meet with the commissioner and Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) staff, both in person and virtually, to discuss how decisions made at the state level are affecting students throughout Kentucky and provide feedback — from a student perspective — on critical issues impacting Kentucky students and schools.

The Next-Generation Student Council is a year-long program for Kentucky public school students in grades 10-12. The council seeks students with refreshing ideas and thoughtful insight into how schools and student achievement can be improved. Students who represent the diverse academic, geographic, demographic and school-size variables particular to Kentucky are encouraged to apply.

A committee of KDE representatives reviewed and scored all applications based on the answers provided to the questions. Appointments to the council were based on how well the applicants communicated their ideas and goals. This first group of students will serve during the 2011-12 school year, and those who are not graduating seniors during that school year may reapply to serve in the 2012-13 school year.

The first meeting of the Next-Generation Student Council has been set for Feb. 28 in Frankfort.