Two Newmarket students, including the first Indigenous student representative, are among the three York Region District School Board (YRDSB) student trustees for the 2020-2021 school year.
Ashton Wood from Huron Heights Secondary School in Newmarket was elected by First Nation, Metis and Inuit students in grades 6 to 12 to represent the voice of Indigenous students at board meetings, according to a YRDSB news release.
“I am looking forward to being the first Indigenous student trustee and representing the voice of the Indigenous student body. I wish to bring my knowledge and spirit to my position,” said Wood.
Christine Lin from Newmarket High School and Felix Nomerovsky from Vaughan Secondary School were elected by grades 6 to 12 students in the board to also serve as student trustees for the 2020-2021 school year.
The new student trustees begin their term Aug. 1, 2020.
Hey YRDSB!!
— Michelle & Nicholas (@YRDSB_Students) June 23, 2020
Please give a warm welcome and congratulations to Ashton Wood from Huron Heights Secondary School, the board’s first Indigenous Student Trustee. We are estactic to have you represent the voices of the Indigenous students next school year! pic.twitter.com/Wxh3X9q930
“It is an absolute privilege to be elected to serve and represent the students of the YRDSB. As a result of distance learning, the past semester has been difficult for many students and many of the vulnerabilities of the education system have been revealed; there is a possibility that the upcoming school year will be no different. Alongside my co-trustees, staff and fellow students, I will work hard to ensure that all student's experiences are enriching and memorable, despite the possible circumstances," said Lin.
“Our student trustees are an essential voice at the board table, bringing valuable and important insights and contributions to our meetings. We offer our heartfelt thanks to outgoing student trustees Michelle Chou and Nicholas Hamzea and look forward to welcoming and working with the incoming student trustees,” said YRDSB board chair Juanita Nathan.
“We are very pleased to welcome the board’s first Indigenous student trustee and to have the voice of Indigenous students represented at the board table.”
At its Dec. 10, 2019 board meeting, the school board unanimously approved the addition of new permanent Indigenous trustee and Indigenous student trustee positions. Lauri Hoeg officially assumed the role as the board’s first Indigenous trustee on March 3, 2020.
