Cato-Meridian Central School District just made history — and senior Kennedy Taylor is leading the way.
Taylor is the district’s first-ever ex-officio student board member, a non-voting position created to give students a voice in decisions that affect their education. While she won’t cast any official votes, she’ll sit at the table with the Board of Education and offer input on everything from policy to student life.
“My role is to represent the student body,” Taylor said. “When the Board of Education makes decisions that affect the students, I can give my comments on it.”
She sees her job as more than just a title. Taylor says she’s committed to listening to her classmates and bringing their perspectives to the board. “It’s important that the person who is the voice understands the perspectives of all the students,” she said. “So that we can see it from multiple viewpoints.”
The role also fits perfectly with her career goals. Taylor wants to become a news anchor after graduation — and says the boardroom feels a lot like a newsroom. “I feel as though this position is like a reporter, because you go there and make comments on what’s happening with the students in the school,” she said.
Outside of board meetings, Taylor’s schedule is packed. She’s a competitive figure skater, co-founder of the kindness-focused Devil’s Crew club, and holds leadership roles in student council, National Honor Society, drama club, and yearbook. She’s also vice president of her class.
And she still makes time for family. “I enjoy watching movies with my family,” she said. “I have three younger siblings — two of them are here in the high school and one is in the elementary school. I hang out with them a lot.”
As she settles into the role, Taylor says her mission is simple: “I hope that I represent the students well. I hope that I’m the voice that they deserve.”
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