When St Joseph High School Principal, Mr Ken Mayo, was asked by the The Connecticut Association of Schools to nominate a student for possible service as a member of the State Student Advisory Council on Education (SSACE), there was no hesitation in his nomination. And it seems the Council agreed with him, as they recently appointed Shelton resident and SJ senior Sophia Ronga to the 2013-14 State Student Advisory Council on Education. She is one of only a handful of students across the State, who successfully completed a lengthy application process and who subsequently were offered a place.
The Council gives Connecticut students a voice in education planning and enables the State board of Education, the Commissioner of Education, State Department of Education personnel, the Governor, and state legislators to become familiar with high school students’ perspectives on key issues.
This is not a position in name only: as a council member, Sophia will meet throughout the academic year with the Commissioner of Education, and on occasion with the Governor, to reflect student opinion in areas of concern in the high schools. However the Council is of benefit for these student leaders as well: through discussions and activities Sophia and her peers will learn from each other about citizenship, leadership, and responsibility.
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Says Sophia, “I am excited to be working with the committee for the improvement of education in Connecticut. I am prepared to speak on behalf of my peers to give the state officials a better perspective on how their decisions affect students.” St Joe's and Education in Connecticut is in good hands.
