Preston Graham talks during his first Kentucky Board of Education Meeting at Kentucky State University. Photo by Joe Ragusa, Kentucky Department of Education, Aug. 8, 2024
With the selection process for the next Kentucky Board of Education non-voting student member underway, I reminisce about my journey with the position and the application that ultimately led to my acceptance.
I distinctly remember it now, as I was just a mere sophomore in high school with a deep passion for making a difference in my community. This passion fueled various interests and extracurricular activities, from athletics to community service. Diverse as these were, all of these experiences came back to one focal point: improving the education quality of my county and state.
So, I went out on a limb and took a chance when I heard that the Kentucky Board of Education had a student position. They were looking for someone with a deep passion like mine to help guide the creation of the best policy for the entire state’s education.
Going in, I knew there was an extremely slim chance that I would be selected for the spot. I had firsthand seen many great minds and students in my area who shared a similar passion for improving education. Yet that uncertainty did not deter me; I poured my heart into my application, spending what felt like 100 hours constantly polishing and refining my narrative statement and resume until the very last day, attempting to express how deep my passion went entirely.
Preston Graham
Fortunately, I was rewarded for my efforts and chosen to represent Kentucky students and advocate for improving education across the state. I am incredibly grateful for this selection as the position has allowed me to channel my passion into hundreds of opportunities to grow and expand the quality of education throughout Kentucky.
Whether it be my time serving as a direct board member, carefully listening in to meetings, and using my experiences as a student to guide my advice as a representative so that student voice will be showcased appropriately in policy.
Whether it be my time with the Commissioner’s Student Advisory Council, where I can regularly meet with many other bright minds who all share a dedication to improving the well-being of their fellow peers, and all have great insight into their experiences as students.
Or whether it be on the national level with the work of the National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE), who has graciously connected me with student board representatives from other states, who I greatly look up to and am inspired by the great action they are taking in their states.
The vast number of opportunities offered by the student representative position cannot be understated, but neither can the importance of such a role on the Kentucky Board of Education.
I remember hearing early on in my tenure that there are about 635,000 students in Kentucky, all of whom come from diverse backgrounds with unique experiences and interests.
Because of this, it is imperative that whoever decides to apply for the position of student board member recognize the immense responsibility placed on them, that 635,000 students depend on them to voice their concerns about the education system that directly impacts all of us.
Yet, if you are willing to take on this responsibility and commit yourself 100% to the position, there is nothing more rewarding for the student.
In addition to the previously mentioned opportunities, you gain a massive insight into the government system and how the board’s decisions directly impact the students throughout the state. This knowledge is hugely beneficial, and I have done my best to extend that insight into my community and county, helping those around me learn the same lessons I have.
Despite these benefits, the greatest reward for me remains the generous way the board accepted me and treated me as an equal despite my young age and inexperience.
I am incredibly thankful for the positive reception I received from the board. Since my first day, they have graciously and carefully listened to every comment or suggestion, showcasing their consistent dedication to student feedback.
This graciousness is crucial to understanding the student member position. The Kentucky Board of Education and Kentucky Department of Education devote every ounce of effort to creating the best possible experience for students, teachers, parents, and administrators. They showcase this by continually listening to feedback from these sources to improve and refine policy. The department’s dedication to this goal is unquestionable; I am eternally grateful to them.
That said, I recommend that any junior within the 1st Congressional District carefully organize an application and submit it before March 11 so they may also take advantage of this incredible opportunity and help guide Kentucky’s education into a better future for students everywhere.
The Kentucky Board of Education is seeking applications for the non-voting teacher and student member positions until March 11 at 5 p.m. ET. More details about each position, including the application requirements, can be found on the KBE non-voting student application and the KBE non-voting teacher application.
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