May 19, 2010: The Halton District School Board is pleased to welcome secondary school students Haniya Khan and Jason Earl as the Board’s student trustees for 2010-11. 

These two secondary school students were chosen from six candidates who submitted their names for the one-year term.  Members of the Halton District School Board Student Senate, representative of all public secondary schools within Halton, interviewed the candidates this week, and elected Haniya and Jason to the role.

Khan is currently a student at Iroquois Ridge High School in Oakville. 

In speaking to her application, Haniya cited her many leadership roles in both high school and her community, and spoke about her “inspiration, excitement, empowerment and passion”, which drove her to apply for the student trustee position. 

Earl, a student at Milton District High School, has been a member of the Halton District School Board Student Senate for 2007-08 and 2009-10, and looks forward to the experience of being a student trustee. 

In his interview, Jason cited his ability to interact and engage others in a variety of activities, which will serve him well leading the Student Senate, and in the role of a student trustee.

“The applicants were truly an outstanding group of young student leaders,” said Wayne Joudrie, Director of Education.  “The Student Senators had a difficult decision, but the students of Halton will be well-served with Haniya and Jason as student trustees.”

Laura McVey and Chaitanya Dogra are completing their term as student trustees in June. Laura is a two-term trustee, having been re-elected last year for her second term in 2009-10. Chaitanya was appointed in May 2009 and has completed his one-year term. Both have represented the student voice in Halton at the Board table and system events during the past year.

“We have had many opportunities to provide input at the Board table, and participate in provincial professional development and learning experiences,” says Chaitanya. “We appreciate being given the chance to be the students’ voice at the Board table, to provide representation at the Ontario Student Trustee Association, and to lead the Student Senate this year.”

“We also appreciate the trust, respect and value the Board of Trustees and Board staff have shown us during our term as student trustees.” says McVey. “We both have gained so much during this experience.”

“The Halton District School Board looks forward to working with Haniya and Jason, welcoming them to the Board table in September,” says Bruce Jones, Chair of the Halton District School Board. “The leadership, initiative and political acumen of our student trustees has been a welcome addition to our team, and we anticipate this will continue with our 2010-11 candidates.”

For additional information, contact:
     Wayne Joudrie, Director of Education,  or Bruce Jones, Chair
     Halton District School Board
     (905) 335-3663, (905) 842-3014, (905) 878-8451