A seat at the table
Three Juniata County students selected for school board
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MIFFLINTOWN -- At most Juniata County School District Board of Directors meetings, nine elected board members gather around the table to discuss budgets, policies and decisions that shape the district’s future.
Now, three students have seats there, too.
This school year, Juniata High School junior Noah Kauffman and East Juniata High School students Cohen Apple, a junior, and Lewis Kole Boop, a senior, have been elected to serve as student representatives to the Juniata County School District Board of Directors, a non-voting role designed to provide the board with a direct connection to the students affected by its decisions.
Though they do not cast votes, the representatives attend meetings, listen to discussions and offer a student perspective on issues impacting both district high schools.
For Kauffman, a 16-year-old junior, the opportunity came somewhat unexpectedly. A member of Student Council, the wrestling team, track and field team and prom committee, Kauffman was elected after a student vote among three candidates.
"I didn’t really campaign," Kauffman said. "People came up to me and told me they thought I’d be a really good representative."
Kauffman attended his first board meeting on October 15 and said he was immediately welcomed into the process.
"At first, I wasn’t sure what to expect," he recalled. "It seemed really organized, and they made sure to include me in it." He credited board Vice President Terrance Shepler with helping him navigate his first meeting.
"Mr. Shepler was super nice," Kauffman said. "He helped me read the agenda and made sure it was a really good start."
The experience has already changed the way he looks at school governance.
"I wanted to be a voice for my friends and other fellow students," Kauffman said. "I hear a lot of things going on. I took political science and it pushed me to run for it. It’s an interesting position and I really like it so far."
Through conversations with classmates, Kauffman said he hopes to keep board members informed about issues students are discussing.
"No major issues," he said. "People complain about school lunches not being as diverse as they have been the last couple years. A lot of people introduce new issues."
One topic that has generated interest among students is the possibility of starting a boys volleyball team.
Serving on the board has also given Kauffman a new appreciation for the work that happens behind the scenes.
"My parents talked about the school board, but it never really stood out," he said. "Now I’ll follow it a lot more closely."
After graduation, Kauffman plans to attend Shippensburg University to major in finance and hopes to participate in student government.
Apple said his involvement in numerous school organizations will help him represent a wide range of student viewpoints.
The East Juniata junior participates in golf, basketball, track and field, theatre, FFA, National Honor Society and Key Club. He also serves as an officer in both Key Club and the junior class.
"He feels that because he is involved in many student groups, he will be a good representative to the board and can give a non-biased view of the student body at EJHS," Juniata County School District Superintendent of Schools Christie Holderman said.
Apple plans to attend Penn State University to pursue an engineering degree and hopes to someday work in racing or oil drilling.
Boop also brings extensive leadership experience to his role as a student representative.
The East Juniata senior is involved in National Honor Society, Key Club, Student Council, theatre, soccer and tennis. He serves as vice president of the senior class and president of the East Juniata chapter of National Honor Society.
Holderman said Boop views the position as both a learning opportunity and a way to advocate for fellow students.
"He believes that it is a good opportunity and learning experience," Holderman said. "He also feels that because of his involvement in many school activities, he can be a good voice to express thoughts and ideas about EJHS."
Boop plans to continue his education after high school and pursue a degree in marketing.
Together, the three students provide the board with something no report or presentation can fully capture: the daily experiences and perspectives of the students they serve.
For Kauffman, the responsibility is straightforward.
"I wanted to be a voice," he said.
Now, when the board gathers to discuss the future of the district, that student voice has a seat at the table.