'Having a voice is very empowering': Oklahoma students push for change
TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — A group of about 70 Oklahoma high school students gathered at the capitol on Wednesday to discuss statewide education solutions, like access to internet, college readiness programs, teacher retention, and mental health counseling.
TheStudent Advisory Council through the Oklahoma Department of Education brings students from urban, suburban, and rural schools together to reach common goals.
This year marks the seventh year of the council. The Wednesday meeting is the first in-person gathering for the group in two years.
"Being on the council for two years, all of our meetings last year were actually virtual," said Jonathan Menzel, a senior at Inola High School.
Eighteen students are serving for a second year on the council. Like Menzel, most of their high school careers were hindered by the pandemic.
"We saw a lot of mental decline and a loss of morale and an overall decrease in grades at school," said Menzel. "Losing, what I've noticed to be, extracurricular involvement, whether that be sports or fine arts, what kept students drawn to school. "
Students say the pandemic and forced isolation caused them to focus more on their mental health. The council was an outlet to share those experiences and advocate for change.
"Make some changes, not only in our school district, but even smaller school districts around us that needed a voice," saidSutton Titsworth, a senior at Bristow High School.
The Student Advisory Council pushed for more school counselors across the state. With its help, the state invested $35 million into placing qualified counselors and health professionals into schools.
"Having a voice is something that's very empowering in general," saidDaley Reynolds, a senior at Claremore High School. "To be that voice for Claremore has been really cool."
This year, the group has their eyes set on new goals, while still focusing on the effects of the pandemic.
"We've seen with COVID how education can be impacted," said Reynolds. "Getting to see these changes actually take place in our schools and seeing the effect has been really awesome."
The council wants the state of Oklahoma to address internet access for rural school districts, find more mental health solutions, look into teacher retention, and offer more access to college readiness programs.
Each student brings a unique background and experience to the council, giving them a broad idea of what different areas of the state are like for students.
Menzel said, although they are all in high school, they can also advocate for younger students.
"Something that we've come to recognize this year is the struggles that a lot of elementary schoolers have been facing with hybrid learning, as well as middle schoolers," he said. "It's just a genuinely rewarding experience getting to stick up for those voices that are very hard to be heard."
They hope their efforts will leave a long lasting impact in Oklahoma schools. Titsworth said, after what they experienced during the pandemic, they want to help.
"We're getting a little bit of freedom back, but we will always remember, you know, those times where things didn't go as good," he said.
State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister said the council influences state-level initiatives and their insight is incredibly valuable to Oklahoma.