19 Coast students join state Superintendent’s council
The Mississippi Department of Education has announced the 132 members of the 2024-25 State Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council — including 19 from South Mississippi.
The council includes students in grades 11-12 and first year of college.
The council consists of 94 new members, which includes 10 students who were semifinalists in spring 2024 for the State Board of Education Junior Representative position, and 38 students who are returning to the council from the previous school year.
All students come from different backgrounds, school size and regions in Mississippi and will be able to share their opinions and offer advice about educational opportunities and policy in Mississippi with Dr. Lance Evans, state superintendent of education.
MDE began the SAC program in 2019. Each fall, the MDE opens applications for new members and students are required to write a compelling cover letter, submit a resume and provide answers to questions about their interest in the SAC, their accomplishments, educational concerns, and academic goals.
The council’s purpose is to provide a forum for Mississippi’s students to offer diverse perspectives to the State Superintendent of Education. The students will act as liaisons between MDE and public-school students from across the state.
Students from South Mississippi include:
- Madison Bolden, Ocean Springs High
- Zenaida Caquias, Gulfport High
- Jacob Cowart, Pascagoula High
- Lillia Fuller, Pass Christian High
- Alexis Griffith, Long Beach High
- Lillie Hickey, Ocean Springs High
- Delaney Hopkins, Ocean Springs High
- Isaac Johnson, Gulfport High
- Tristan Lartigue, Ocean Springs High
- Braylin Lossett, Pearl River Central
- Asia Martin, Ocean Springs High
- Gracelyn Mitchell, Pascagoula High
- Carter Monforton, Ocean Springs High
- Crosby Parker, Gulfport High
- Jackson Pearce, Gulfport High
- Abbigale Savage, Ocean Springs High
- Isabelle Smith, D’Iberville High
- Gatlin Tynes, Ocean Springs High
- Ellis Walton, West Harrison High
