The Elizabethtown Area School District has announced a new initiative to promote student voice by including two high school students as non-voting representatives on the district's school board. Senior Emma Griffith and junior Anika Walsh began their terms at the school board's workshop session held on Sept. 10.

The new program aims to foster open dialogue between school directors and students at Elizabethtown Area High School. Emma and Anika will present the student body's perspectives to the board, allowing students to have a voice in decisions that impact their educational experience.

Key objectives of the student representative program are to empower student voice through direct representation; provide students with a valuable, real-world experience in the democratic process; educate students on the process that goes into improving education; afford students with an opportunity to experience actual, legal policymaking firsthand; increase students' knowledge of local government systems; inform students and their parents of important school policy decisions; serve as a source of regular student feedback for school administrators; and embed the district's Life Ready Model into school board operations.

The student representatives will attend the public committee workshop meetings from September through May, offering regular input to support the district's goal of making informed and inclusive decisions.