Washburn High School senior Hannah Williams addressed members of the Grainger
County School Board during its meeting Tuesday, August 19.
RUTLEDGE – The Grainger County School Board voted unanimously to approve its student advisory committee during its meeting Tuesday, August 19.
Grainger County Director of Schools Mark Briscoe told board members which students had been named to the committee. Hannah Williams, Leah Dalton, Brayden Ping, and Taylie Proffitt will serve as Washburn High School representatives and Nila Parrott, Gina Amabile, Abrie Nickels and Caleigh Cameron will serve as representatives for Grainger High School.
Williams introduced herself to the board at the August meeting. She said she is a graduating senior at Washburn School who plays basketball and softball and is a member of seven of the eight clubs offered at the school. She said she plans to move on to WSCC where she will enter the nursing program. She said she attends church regularly and her faith is something she takes pride in.
Williams said, “I want the kids at something to look forward to. For them to understand that if they can keep good attendance, give their all for important tests and be able to show their leadership to our administration that in the end they will be rewarded. For the kids to feel seen. Sometimes life is portrayed as easy and simple, when in reality it’s hard and thing can happen out of our control. That the kids will be able to know that our teachers are there to help, whether it’s with academic struggles or just life struggles in general. That either way, they can feel safe and heard. So lastly I want to thank the school board for everything they’ve done and will do for the schools of Grainger County, and that through this new program kids all around the county will feel supported, challenged and included and prepared for life beyond the classroom.”
Briscoe told the board one of things he heard from students at Grainger High School is they would like school board members to come to the school and spend the day sometime.
“I know it’s hard, and I get it. A half a day, it would mean the world to some of our kids in the schools,” Briscoe said. “I just think if the school board members showed up, most of our schools and kids they’d be tickled to death.”
Briscoe said it would give board members the opportunity to see what they business they, as board members, work on most of the time means to the students.
“I think letting you all know who these kids are and seeing and talking to them, it’s just good for our county and good for our schools. I’m just a big believer in that and that’s about as sappy as I get, but I highly encourage you all. I think the kids would love to see you all. We all can’t do it, and I’m blessed to have a job that allows me to go to schools.”