High school senior is first student member of Lewiston-Porter Board of Education

Press release

Senior Kaitlyn Szarejko has always been an active student in her school community throughout her time at Lewiston-Porter Schools.

This year, Kaitlyn is the president of the high school Lancer student council, a member of the volleyball and track teams, Spanish club, Key Club, and takes photos for the yearbook.

All of those experiences have served her well as she takes on a new role as the district’s first ever student ex-officio member of the school board.

“I think that, with all of the extracurricular activities that I do, it kind of gives me a good range of people, peers and faculty that I know. It gives me a broader sense of what people want in school, or what we like and what we don't like,” Kaitlyn said.

Recently passed New York state law mandates all school districts appoint at least one ex-officio, non-voting student member to their boards of education.

In her role, Kaitlyn has the opportunity to be a voice for the student body on the school board. She sees herself as the link between the board and her fellow students.

“I really just want to kind of make it a more transparent transition from the students to the board, and kind of give everyone that clear view from both sides, and just help the students feel like they're being heard,” she said.

Every month, Kaitlyn and the other members of the Lancer council will meet to discuss things that have been going well, what students are enjoying in school, concerns they might have, and brainstorm together as a group. She will then implement those ideas into the presentation she gives to the School Board during its meetings.

“Kaitlyn represents the very best of Lewiston-Porter: She is thoughtful, engaged and deeply committed to elevating the student voice,” Superintendent of Schools Paul J. Casseri said. “As our first-ever student ex-officio board member, she is helping to build a stronger bridge between students and the Board of Education. Her leadership, integrity and desire to serve will not only benefit our district today, but will set a standard for all who follow.”

Junior Zoe Droegmyer, who is vice president of Lancer council, currently serves as an alternate student ex-officio and will succeed Kaitlyn next year.

Ultimately, Kaitlyn said she hopes serving as the student ex-officio will give her good experiences to prepare her for the future.

“This is kind of like a good stemming point to kind of work on these leadership skills and public speaking skills, and kind of use those when I get to college, to kind of branch myself out and put myself in new positions,” she said.