RACHEL RAVINA/BAYSIDE GAZETTE
A senior from each Worcester County high school is chosen each year to serve as a student rep- resentative during the board of education meetings. Pictured, from left, are Darius Taylor, of Pocomoke High School, Kamryn Purvis, of Snow Hill High School, and Max Ewancio, of Stephen Decatur High School.

By Rachel Ravina, Staff Writer

(Oct. 24, 2019) Three Worcester County high school seniors are getting a look at the inner workings of the board of education during their terms as student representatives.

“It’s nice to be able to represent, and be a voice for our school, and see where it actually count[s],” said Max Ewancio, a senior at Stephen Decatur High School.

Fellow representative Darius Taylor, a senior at Pocomoke High School senior, agreed.

“I think it allows us to develop leadership and different aspects and be able to represent someone greater than just ourselves,” Taylor said.

Ewancio, Taylor, and Snow Hill High School senior Kamryn Purvis are settling into their new roles as student leaders.

“It’s been pretty good,” Purvis said. “It’s really exciting being able to see all the board members, and actually get to interact with them, and meet them, and talk to them about stuff.”

A representative from each county high school is chosen by student government or an administrative team to serve a year-long term, according to the county’s school district’s website.

Ewancio and Purvis agreed that they want to improve their public speaking skills over the next year.

Carrie Sterrs, coordinator of public relations and special programs for Worcester County Public Schools, said the students take a holistic approach to their roles as student representatives.

“They’re doing a great job thus far,” Sterrs said.

In addition to presenting monthly reports on board activities at their schools, the trio would observe the calendar committee meetings when discussing the schedule for the upcoming school year, Sterrs said.

They were also invited to attend a tri-county luncheon, Sterrs said, giving the students the opportunity to meet with boards of education and legislators from Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester counties.

Sterrs added they would also offer input during budget work sessions this winter, which is something that Taylor and Purvis said they are anticipating.

“It’s cool going to see the different things that are … discussed,” Taylor said. “ You always here in school they’re [the board of education] talking about the budget, and how you can’t use this money, or that money, and then it’s fun being able to see the background behind the results.”

Purvis added that in her role as a student representative, she’s able to directly talk with board members and get a better understanding of the school district as a whole.

“It’s kind of nice to see what the board is actually doing, and what they bring to the school system, and everything because they’re kind of in control of everything,” she said.