Submitted article
Traditionally, school district Boards of Education were only comprised of five individuals elected by their respective community. However, a quick glance down the table of a Galion City School District Board of Education meeting will show there’s a younger voice involved during the regular monthly meetings.
Galion High School senior Evan Huggins has been that younger voice during the 2014-2015 school year. Huggins serves as the student representative to the Board of Education, providing the members with students’ perspectives.
“My role on the Board is to relay any information to the Board from the high school students,” Huggins said. “Topics usually range anywhere from guidelines to student achievement. I serve as the voice of the students.”
When he’s not listening to, and sharing, his fellow students’ concerns, Huggins is very active in the school and the community. He’s been a member of the varsity golf and boys basketball teams, Key Club, National Honor Society and Teen Green. Each Christmas, his family is involved with a community project through their church. And, if you ask him what he’s most proud of with his community service, Huggins will be quick to share a story from his freshman year.
“The Board of Education decided to cut the freshman basketball team, and I took it upon myself to petition the Board to reinstate the program,” Evan said. “I gathered 218 signatures to reinstate the program, presented those to the Board and they decided to reinstate the program.”
For many at Galion High School, Huggins has directly made a positive impact on their lives. Still, there are others he’s impacted without ever getting to know them during his time at Galion High School.
“What’s impressive is that, even though I have not had him in class, he knows who I am and he consistently greets me and asks how things are going,” high school teacher Fred Rinehart said. “He is clearly an excellent communicator and sincerely interested in people. I’m impressed with his candor and awareness.”
Following graduation, Huggins plans to major in biochemistry and molecular biology to prepare for medical school. His top four college choices include Otterbein, Miami, Ohio Northern and Wooster.
“I view my role with the Board of Education as extremely important because we want to try to make Galion High School the best we possibly can make it,” Huggins said. “Sometimes, student input and feedback can help the Board make decisions that will provide a better learning environment for Galion students today and in the future.”