Rudy Unni - Board Student Trustee aims to give fellow students a voice

Rudy Unni, Student Trustee for 2011-12

Rudy Unni, Grade 12, Robert Bateman High School

Why did you want to become a Student Trustee?

When I first joined the Halton Student Senate in Grade 10, I was amazed by not only the power and capability of the Student Senate, but also by the Student Trustees who led the discussions about our Board-specific issues. Their ability to immediately take control and lead the 60-plus students in any direction inspired me, and the first few meetings of the 2009-2010 Student Senate cemented my respect for the position of Student Trustee. At every meeting, I brought my ideas and visions to make our education system better. By the end of my Grade 11 year and the end of my second year of involvement with Student Senate, I was encouraged by Jason Earl and Haniya Khan, the Student Trustees for that year, to run for the position.

What are your goals as a Student Trustee?

· Focus on solidifying the structure of Student Senate through the completion of a constitution, and fully defining the roles of a Student Senator. I intend to establish

processes to facilitate the nurturing and cultivation of the Student Voice throughout our school board so the 50,000 students in our Board have a say as to what goes on for the 12 most important years of their lives.

· Help increase awareness about Student Senate and see more and more participation from schools in Halton.

How do you think being a Student Trustee will help with your learning?

From my first two months of experience being a Student Trustee, I have already received a taste of the skills I need to succeed in my position. On top of the leadership skills necessary to run Student Senate, my oratory skills have already improved. By sitting on the Board of Trustees and listening to Board issues and affairs, I’m confident my ability to think critically will improve during the course of my term. Additionally, with the scope of this commitment, my time management and organizational skills will be refined. By the end of this school year, I expect the position of Student Trustee will have made me a better student and learner, and will have indirectly prepared me for the rest of my life.