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The St. John the Baptist Parish school system has implemented its 2023-2024 Student Advisory Council, an initiative designed to amplify student voices within school decisions.

Council spots were open to students from grades six to 12 within the district. The council will serve as a liaison between the central office advisory committee and the students and schools within the district. 

Assistant Superintendent Juanita Hill presented each member selected for the council before the school board. 

“Priority number one of our district’s 5-year strategic plan is an exceptional student experience, which cultivates a joyful, engaging, and inclusive student culture,” said Hill. “Within this priority, one of the initiatives is that central office leaders design and implement student leadership programs to amplify student voices so that they are heard and incorporated into system and school decisions.”

The committee formed to choose the student leaders that would be in the Student Advisory Council consisted of Randie Bailey, Desiree Bennett, Sherelle Guidry-Jones, Claude Hill Jr., Robert Schaff, Shannon Smith-Magee and Hill herself. 

According to Hill, the committee held half a dozen meetings to “determine the purpose of the council, establish the criteria to become a member, create the application and scoring rubric, review and score submitted applications and finalize the selected members.”

Of the 36 applicants, 18 students were selected to be a part of the Student Advisory Council.

The students selected to be in the Student Advisory Council are:

Bailey Brown (ESJH, grade 11), Braylon Cannon (WSJE, grade 6), Cailee Castille (JLO, grade 8), Deontae Fleming (JLO, grade 8), Jahkira Fontenberry (STEM, grade 12), Gracey Frank (ESJH, grade 11), Sarai Gaines (ESJH, grade 9), Tristan Hampton (ESJH, grade 10), Paiton Jarrow (WSJH, grade 8), Parys Mason (ESJH, grade 11), Kayden McGee (STEM, grade 9), Jazmine Pierre (ECW, grade 7), Landon Tillman (JLO, grade 8), Lauryn Tillman (JLO, grade 8), Wyatt Walker (LES, grade 7), Leyah Watson (ESJH, grade 11), Jahvar Webb (ESJH, grade 10) and Brad Wilson, Jr. (STEM, grade 10).

Note: This article has been edited to change “Superintendent’s Council” to “Student Advisory Council” after receiving the correct name.