5th Grader Sworn In As NH's Kid Executive Council Member

DURHAM, NH — An Oyster River Middle School fifth grader has been chosen among thousands of students to be sworn in as a New Hampshire's Kid Executive Council member.

Noah Sanders and his family attended the 2024 NH Kid Governor inauguration ceremony Jan. 9 at the State House in Concord, the Oyster River Cooperative School District said in a news release Thursday.

This year, more than 2,000 fifth-graders participated in the NH Kid Governor program, which teaches students about civics and democracy and encourages participation as a global citizen.

Twenty students were nominated by their schools to be considered as candidates, with Sanders chosen as one of eight finalists.

Sanders' campaign focused on alleviating homelessness, with other students highlighting issues such as increasing classroom funding, childhood hunger, animal abuse, littering, kindness and inclusion, and mental health.

In Sanders' campaign video, he outlined a three-point plan of creating food pantry collection areas in each school, fundraising to purchase toiletries and other necessities, and speaking at schools across New Hampshire to encourage the development of local action plans.

"This program truly engages students in the democratic process," Sanders' teacher, Diana Pelletier, said in the news release from the Oyster River Cooperative School District. "It's civic education at its finest and empowers fifth-graders to feel they have a voice in what matters in our communities."

The Kid Executive Council includes all final candidates in the yearly election, who counsel the Kid Governor through their term. The Council meets to discuss how they can support the Kid Governor's campaign initiatives in their own communities and raise awareness of the Kid Governor’s platform across the state.

"I felt really excited at the inauguration to be working with [Executive Council members] on the problems that we feel passionate towards," Sanders said in the news release.

During the ceremony, Sanders received a certificate and was recognized by several state government officials and Governor Chris Sununu.

"Congratulations to Noah!"Oyster River Cooperative School District's superintendent, Dr. James C. Morse, Sr. said. "The NH Kid Governor program instills the importance of public service and shows young people how they can have a positive and lasting effect on their community. Noah's dedication to addressing homelessness is commendable and speaks to his commitment to the world around him."