A student talking to his local city council.

Trace Brooking, the new Kentucky Board of Education non-voting student member, speaks at a Cave City Council meeting in his hometown. Photo submitted

(FRANKFORT, KY) – Trace Brooking, a junior at Glasgow High School (Glasgow Independent), has been selected as the new Kentucky Board of Education (KBE) non-voting student member.

Brooking said he’s excited for the opportunity to serve on the board and believes it’s important to give students more of a voice in state-level discussions.

“I’m big on civil representation, especially in legislation and policies that affect us,” he said. “It’s really important to give young people a voice as they’re the generations that are going to follow and be affected.”

The board includes one student member who serves a one-year term. Brooking’s term on the KBE began on July 1 and will end on June 30, 2027.

While serving on the KBE, Brooking plans to connect with principals, superintendents, teachers and students around Kentucky to find out what issues are important to them.

“I plan to do a lot of outreach, maybe go to schools, (post things on) social media like videos, pictures, and I just want to let students know that this is here; this is something that you can reach out to me for. It’s something I want to hear your voice and bring that voice to the board,” he said.

Brooking became interested in government in 8th grade when he started following news about the national government and the United Nations, which has now inspired him to help students better understand and increase student representation in government.

Brooking said his AP seminar teacher, Jaime McMillan, inspired him to pursue a seat on the KBE.

He recently won a scholarship that allowed him to go to Washington, D.C. with the Foundation for Rural Services. Over four days in June, Brooking and 97 other students from around the nation heard from experts at the Federal Communications Commission and members of Congress and discussed ways to improve rural communities.

Commissioner of Education Robbie Fletcher said the Kentucky Department of Education looks forward to hearing Brooking’s input on issues concerning Kentucky’s public school students.

“Students are at the heart of every decision we make in education, and student voice strengthens our work and keeps our focus where it belongs – on Kentucky’s learners. I look forward to working alongside Trace as he serves on and provides valuable perspectives to the state board of education in the year ahead,” Fletcher said.

Brooking is on the student advisory board at his high school. He’s also involved in speech and debate, a writing composite competition for the academic team, and participates in tennis and cross country. Brooking said he’s particularly proud of maintaining all A’s in his classes. Outside of school, he’s a barista at a coffee shop, plays pickleball and is training for a marathon in November.

As the non-voting student on the KBE, Brooking will also participate in the Commissioner’s Student Advisory Council.

After high school, he said he wants to pursue law school and follow a political path to potentially become a senator or representative. He has interest in attending Duke University in North Carolina.