Students highlight Career Day, state esports win and urge lawmakers to fund meal reimbursements

Student representatives used the board meeting to report extracurricular successes and to highlight civic advocacy.

Meredith Decker, a student representative, described Career Day on Jan. 28, saying, "This year, we had 34 people come and speak, including doctor Wazuka ... production, farming, cosmetology, vets, medical students, police, detectives, pharmacists." Decker also noted musical and TRIUM induction events and her role as a student leader during Career Day.

Jackson Johanison, the other student representative, reported that the high-school League of Legends team won the state esports championship and that individual teammates placed in other competitions. Johanison also described a Feb. 2—2 trip to the state Capitol where student officers met the governor, education leaders and legislators and observed committee meetings on education bills.

The board recognized the Tea Area High School Student Council for drafting and sending a letter supporting House Bill 10 82, a proposal described at the meeting as a reimbursement mechanism for districts that provide free and reduced-price meals. "It would reimburse the school district for the money that it would reimburse the school district for the free and reduced," a student officer said, summarizing the council's understanding; student officers said they had sent letters to members of the Joint Appropriations Committee and that Representative Caden Whitman reposted their letter on social media.

Board members praised the students' engagement and research in contacting legislators and urged continued participation in civic processes. The board did not adopt formal action on the bill but acknowledged the student council's advocacy and said they would follow the bill's progress in the legislature.