At its Regular Meeting held on May 5, 2015, the Halton Catholic District School Board announced the names of the three Student Trustees who will sit on the Board for the 2015-2016 school year.
Student Trustee elections were held on April 22, 2015 at St.Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary School in Oakville. All candidates were provided with an opportunity to articulate their interest in representing students on the Halton Catholic District School Board, and responded to from Student Senators. Following the interviews, the Student Senate voted by secret ballot. Board staff were present as scrutineers to the process.
Jackson Brown(Burlington Student Trustee), Chloe Kemeni (North Halton Student Trustee) and Manuela Zapata (Oakville Student Trustee), were elected as the 2015-2016 Student Trustees.
"The role of the Student Trustee is key to providing the student voice and perspective at the Board table," says Jane Michael, Chair of Board. "We are excited to welcome Chloe back for another term, and look forward to working with Jackson and Manuela as Student Trustees on the Board next year."
BURLINGTON
Jackson Brown is a student at Corpus Christi Catholic Secondary School. He is an honour roll student, an active member of the school's social equity group, SIDE (Safety Inclusivity Diversity Equity), the school Mentorship program, and performs with the Corpus Christi Jazz Band. Jackson and his family are members of the St. Paul the Apostle Parish community.
NORTH HALTON
Chloe Kemeni is a Grade 11 student at Bishop P.F. Reding Catholic Secondary School, and currently serving as the North Halton Student Trustee during the 2014-2015 school year. Her contributions to the school community include her work on the Bishop Reding Student Council where she provides the student voice perspective on a number of issues. She is also a member of the school volleyball and rugby teams. Chloe's commitment to her faith is exemplified in her participation as an Altar Server, Camp Leader, and Challenge Leader at Holy Rosary Parish in Milton.
OAKVILLE
Manuela Zapata is currently a Grade 10 student at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary School. She is an active member of the Student Senate, Student Council, and Best Buddies. Other co-curricular commitments include the Chaplaincy Club and the school volleyball team. Manuela and her family are members of the St. Matthew Parish community.
The term of office for the three new Student Trustees is for the 2015-2016 school year. During their tenure, Student Trustees are afforded the same privileges as Trustees to participate at meetings of the Board and at meetings of Committees of the Board. Student Trustees may exercise a non-binding vote at Board Meetings and may be present at in-camera sessions of the Board.
The Education Quality Improvement Act, 1997 (formerly Bill 160) provided for the representation of the interests of pupils on school boards. Learn more about the role of the Student Trustee and the Student Senate on the Board's website atwww.hcdsb.org/Students/Senate.