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Marion students describe regional 'Elevating Student Voices' program and classroom rollout
Summary
Two Marion Junior-Senior High students told the school board about taking part in the regional Elevating Student Voices program and how they adapted peer-led circle discussions to Marion schools to focus on neurodiversity, impulsive behavior and easing the middle‑school transition.
Two Marion Junior-Senior High School sophomores told the MARION CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT board about a regional program that trains students to run peer-led circle discussions and to bring those practices back to their schools.
"I'm Ashley Osborne. I am a sophomore at Marion Junior Senior High School," Ashley said, introducing the Elevating Student Voices program. Bailey Graham, also a sophomore, said she had the honor of delivering the opening remarks at the program's final showcase and emphasized "listening with intent to learn," she told the board.
The students described the Elevating Student Voices forum as a multi-school program in the Wayne–Finger Lakes region that teaches leadership skills, peer facilitation and an emphasis on neurodiversity. They said the sessions use scripted talking points and light facilitator training so youth volunteers can guide classroom and small-group conversations.
At Marion, the pair said they have adapted the program into the "Marion nights" round table (students grades 9–12) and focused the current work on impulsive behaviors, social awareness and respect. To reach younger students they said they piloted lessons at the elementary school built on a Web (Where Everyone Belongs) lesson intended to ease the seventh-grade transition.
The students told the board they changed their delivery after seeing low engagement with a sitewide Nearpod slideshow. "We realized seventh graders and 12th graders learn differently," Ashley said, describing how the group narrowed its focus and shifted to more interactive lessons targeted at middle‑schoolers.
The pair credited adult advocates who provided talking points and said the work sharpened over months of peer-led discussions. "It was really awesome," Bailey said of getting the chance to present and to help lead peers through the process.
Board members applauded the students and asked how the work would continue; both said they expect to remain involved with the round table but that Elevating Student Voices aims to rotate students each year to expand participation. The board asked for copies of photos and materials the students referenced.
The presentation was given during the public portion of the board meeting and drew congratulations from board members before the agenda moved on to personnel and administrative business.
