Enumclaw School Board Picks New Student Representative

Conner Wells finds an unmistakable joy in being a student, and that simple enthusiasm helped him to win over the Enumclaw School Board members Monday night as they interviewed five student candidates to fill the student representative position that will be vacated by outgoing senior Will Holland this year.

"The School Board is really cool, " he told the Board. "And to firsthand be able to help my school directly is really cool."

Wells said he wants to help bridge a communication gap he perceives between the School Board and students at his school and help them understand how and why decisions are made. He wants them to enjoy school. "I want them to have as good a time as I am," he said.

In school, Wells channels his energy through creative arts, including piano, dance and creative writing. He is also a member of both the National Honor Society and National Art Honor Society. "I think my creative background helps me look at things in a different way."

School Board member Corey Cassell said of Wells after the Board deliberated on its decision: "He stood out as a student that just overall represented well what we'd want in a student representative for the board. It was a tough choice -- they were all excellent candidates."

All five candidates are currently sophomores who will be entering their junior year next year. The position calls for the student to serve two years with the Board.

In addition to Wells, the following students were also in the running:

• Caleb Gwerder: Gwerder has a long history of serving in various student government positions throughout his school career, including being a class representative in both second and sixth grades, treasurer in both eighth and ninth grades and serving as treasurer for the executive council at Enumclaw High School next year. He is unafraid to speak his mind, he told the Board, and was interested in serving as a student representative to gain insights into working in a more professional environment. An avid athlete, Gwerder plays defense on the soccer team at the center back position.
• Quinton Horton: Horton takes pride in his work, telling the Board, "I'm somewhat of a perfectionist. I try to be the best I can be in what I'm doing." Already a leader in groups and activities including Native American Leadership, Young Life and National Honor Society, Horton wants to present the students and help bring their voices to Board meetings, he said. He is a multi-sport athlete in both tennis and soccer. 
• Tyson Shepard: Shepard told the Board that he enjoys being a leader and likes to speak up not only for himself but for his fellow students. Having been involved in a high school leadership class which gave him an opportunity to work with students from other schools and districts, he said he enjoyed the process and wanted to be able to bring more ideas back to Enumclaw. Shepard not only competes on the track and field and baseball teams but also helps coach students at Thunder Mountain Middle School. In the classroom, he said, "School's never been easy for me, but I try to go 100 percent in everything I do." He wants to help be an advocate for struggling students and help improve on the graduation rate at the high school. "If I could influence even two or three percent I think that benefits the school district." 
• Sierra Carlson: Carlson is a member of the school choir, competes on the varsity track and field team, participates in the Culinary Arts Club, is a member of the National Honor Society and takes part in student government. "I love being involved," she said. She plans to go to college to eventually become a doctor, admitting to the Board, "I'm very driven." A hometown girl, Carlson is proud that because of her involvement in a wide array of activities, she can represent a truly diverse segment of the student body. Her dedication to her fellow students was evident when she told the Board that she passed up pursuing Running Start in order to dedicate her time fully to her school.

In applying for this position, each student provided a completed application as well as two letters of recommendations, additional references as well as an essay on why they wanted to serve. 

While only one student was chosen, members agreed that if they could, all five would have been selected.

School Board President Chris VanHoof enthused about the group, "These are five of the best kids we could ever ask for. ... I'm excited about this class. They're taking ownership of their school with pride, spirit and a desire to leave a legacy -- as sophomores! I'm excited to watch this class go through the rest of high school."

Some battled nerves while sitting before this panel of adults, but Cassell said, "We have this opportunity for all students to apply and go through the process with the nerves and the questions. It was a good experience for the kids to have at this age."

Board Member Nancy Merrill further thanked school staff for taking the time to write the students' letters of recommendations, as they helped the Board in its decision-making. "I'm impressed with the staff who wrote letters for these kids," she said. "They took the position seriously and I want to say thank you for writing these letters. We have great staff and great kids!"

The Board in 2010 implemented a new policy which approved the addition of two student representatives to the School Board. The role of the representatives is to provide student insight and perspective to the Board; serve as liaisons to the high school students; and report to the students about the work of the district and the Board. Holland and current junior Lauren Cary served these roles in the 2010-11 school year. Cary will continue her position in her senior year during the 2011-12 school year.