OCEAN CITY – Lauren Knopp, a rising senior at Ocean City High School, started as the student representative to the state Board of Education.
Acting New New Jersey Commissioner of Education Angelica Allen-McMillan made the announcement last week, welcoming her.
“In her role, she hopes to be a voice that students can count on and a visionary for what student communities can achieve by collectively listening to each other,” she wrote in a release. “Lauren’s first participation in student council began in sixth grade, which helped her build her leadership skills.”
The Student Representative to the State Board is selected through the New Jersey Association of Student Councils, serving as a non-voting member and State Board’s liaison to the student community for a year-long term, Allen-McMillan added. She replaces Maura Baker, the outgoing student representative, from West Orange High School.
“I highlight the student representative to the State Board because now, more than ever before, it is crucial to listen to the voice of the student. The school children throughout New Jersey have struggled through a pandemic that has had profound consequences on their learning and social supports – and often, to their families,” she wrote. “I look forward to listening to the thoughts, insights and concerns of Ms. Knopp over the coming year, and I know you and your staff do the same for the students in your schools. I ask you to join us in celebrating Ms. Knopp’s selection to this indispensable role within our State Board, as an exemplarystudent leader to her of peers statewide.”