Two years ago, Trigg County Superintendent Bill Thorpe and his staff drafted the first iteration of “Voice of the Wildcats” — a well-rounded group of students interested in relaying the cares and concerns within the high school, and back to district leadership.
Thursday evening, Thorpe relayed notes from this semester’s first meeting back to the Board of Education — one that included insight and appraisal from 15 students and a wide range of classifications.
This includes freshmen Sara Dawson, Kady Fuller, Karley Johnson, and Emma Russell; sophomores Grace Carver, LuJabreionah Lucas, and Madison Reed; juniors Slaton Carter, Jamie Hestand, Chloe Kacou and Alexandria Smith; and four members from the Class of 2024 in Addison Cabbage, Jacey Holmes, Tayshaun Linton and Sadie Utter.
The council opened with a tight-knit breakfast, with Thorpe asking one question to begin the 2023-24 campaign.
According to the students, a classroom should:
— Look as though it had smiles, people helping one another, everyone doing jobs, keeping focus on reading and writing, and staying organized, while entering a clean and comfortable setting.
— Sound as though people were laughing, people were asking questions, paying compliments, using polite words, giving and accepting apologies, and discussing books.
— And feel like everyone is included, happy, successful, content, organized, safe, caring and cared for, and peaceful.
Simple requests, by all standards, but requests sometimes lost in the shuffle of a hectic and busy calendar.
Thorpe said the group was deeply engaged.
Thorpe also said that in this third year of the program, its curriculum continues to develop. These 15 will also serve as ambassadors of the high school and district, where the board will explore the purchase of a team jacket or similar distinguishing clothing item.
When prospective new students or other unique visitors enter the school, Thorpe said this group will work as campus guides and liaisons to show folks around the property.
