The Board of Education Welcomes Two New Student Board Representatives and One Alternate for the 2024-2025 School Year
At its September 19th Action Meeting, the Board of Education welcomed and officially appointed Charles Rinker and Kenzy Ahmed as the Student Board Representatives for the 2024-2025 school year. Jake Benny was also appointed as an alternate for this school year.
In this advisory role, they will act as a voice for their peers, providing input to the Board on how its policies affect students during monthly Action Meetings. Additionally, they will communicate the Board’s decisions and discussions to the student body, engage with student groups, and spearhead their own initiatives over the course of their term.
Mr. Rinker, a 10th-grade student at Franklin Learning Center, is driven by his commitment to youth advocacy and restorative justice, which motivated him to apply for the position of Student Board Representative. He is focused on tackling challenges such as the need for better preparation programs for students transitioning to life beyond high school. “It’s important that we create opportunities for students to feel heard and get the support they need for the future,” Mr. Rinker says.
Ms. Ahmed, an 11th-grade student at Northeast High School, was inspired by a former Student Board Representative from her school and has long aspired to take on this role herself. Driven by her passion for advocacy and the belief that an ordinary student can effectively represent voices from across Philadelphia, Kenzy is dedicated to using her platform to address pressing issues, particularly those impacting students from immigrant backgrounds. “I want to make sure that every student, no matter where they come from, feels valued and empowered to succeed,” Ms. Ahmed says.
Mr. Benny, an 11th-grade student at Central High School, is fulfilling a long-held aspiration by serving as a Student Board Representative on the Board. Inspired by the announcement of the first cohort of Student Board Representatives when he was in the fifth grade, Jake views this role as a chance to give back to his community and advocate for students from all types of schools—whether special admission, neighborhood, or charter. “I’ve always wanted to help make a difference for students across Philadelphia, no matter what kind of school they attend,” Mr. Benny says.
“We are excited to welcome this year’s student representatives and look forward to collaborating with them as they bring student voices to the forefront of key discussions affecting our diverse school communities,” said Board Member Sarah-Ashley Andrews, the Board Liaison to the student representatives. “The perspectives our students bring are invaluable, and we deeply appreciate the insights they offer as they advocate for equitable opportunities for their peers.”
To become a Student Board Representative, students in District or charter schools must submit an application to the Office of Student Support Services in the spring along with a current school transcript and two reference letters. Selected applicants, who must be in tenth or eleventh grade during their term, are then interviewed by a panel and then the Board President who recommends three students to the Board of Education.