At its September 9 meeting, Board of Education President Melissa Them Peterson inducted DCS junior Guenevere Evans as the newest ex officio student member of the Board. Guenevere joins DCS senior Ari Lowry, who is serving her second year as a student representative. As student members, Lowry and Evans will participate in all public board meetings but will not have voting rights and will be excluded from executive sessions where confidential student, personnel, or legal matters are discussed.
On September 30, Evans and Lowry joined students from across the state at an event hosted by the New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA). The event featured a panel discussion with Dr. Betty A. Rosa, New York State Commissioner of Education and President of the University of the State of New York; Adrian I. Hale, a member of the New York State Board of Regents; State Senator Shelley Mayer, representing the 37th Senate District and Chair of the Senate Education Committee; and officials from NYSSBA and Capital Region BOCES.
The seminar gave students a deeper understanding of their roles on their district’s Board of Education and encouraged them to use their leadership positions to make meaningful contributions to their schools and communities.
Ari Lowry
Lowry, the daughter of Colleen and Ethan Lowry, made a meaningful contribution to the Board of Education during her junior year. She provided monthly updates on issues and topics that were important to her classmates and regularly shared her perspective during policy discussions.
Her initial desire to serve on the Board stemmed from an interest in learning more about the processes that shape her everyday experience at school and a desire to become more involved in her school community.
This year, Ari says she is “looking forward to discussing new ways for more students to become involved with the Board and its functions.” She also hopes to provide input on some of the upcoming policy changes the Board will consider.
Ari is deeply involved in her school community. She currently serves as captain of the varsity cross country team and participates in Mock Trial, Leo Club, Yearbook Club, and Student Council. In the spring, she will compete on the varsity track team.
With her final year at DCS underway, Ari has been planning for the next chapter of her life for some time. She has applied to several colleges and plans to study public policy. After college, she hopes to attend law school and pursue a career as an aviation logistics lawyer.
Guenevere Evans
Guenevere Evans, the daughter of Rebecca and Don Evans, is a junior at DCS who is deeply passionate about Duanesburg and her school community.
“Becoming a student board member seemed like the natural next step in continuing my involvement at Duanesburg. It is an excellent opportunity to engage in and have a voice on important issues and decisions, while also gaining valuable insight into official proceedings and how decisions are made,” she said.
As a student who has enjoyed taking advantage of the rigorous academics DCS offers, Guenevere said she is looking forward to “discussing how programs such as the accelerated math and science program, or AP class offerings will evolve to best fit the needs of DCS students.”
In addition to her academics, Guenevere is involved with many extracurricular activities including cross-country, Student Council (co-treasurer), Mock Trial Team, Book Club (president), a student director for the middle school play and a pianist for Jazz Band. She is also a founding member of Cuentos con Alas, a troupe dedicated to bringing Spanish into the elementary school through skits and interactive lessons.
After graduating from DCS in 2028, Guenevere plans to go to college to study biology, with hopes of continuing to graduate school and ultimately pursuing a career in the medical field.