Student school board representative gives first report

Douglas High School senior Ender Dempsey was selected as the first student representative for the school board and provided his first report during the board meeting Tuesday.

“It’s an honor to be selected as a student representative,” said Dempsey. “My goal is to make a positive impact on the school district.”

Superintendent Frankie Alvarado said a total of seven students applied for the position before the start of the 2024- 2025 school year and two were selected, including Dempsey and a student from Whittell High School. 

Each student will serve a one semester term. Dempsey will serve until the January 2025 school board meeting and the Whittell student will take over at the February meeting.

“This opportunity demonstrates that our trustees understand the importance of student voice so that we can enhance student experiences at our schools,” said Alvarado.

The position for a student representative was pursued by 2024 Douglas High School graduate Madelynn Kennedy who envisioned a student seat at the board table as a non-voting participant to provide opinion, feedback and to foster a sense that the students of the district have a voice. She fought for the representation from May 2023 until she graduated. The position was approved as Board Policy 548 in July.

“Student board members bring individual and group perspectives to the board of education,” said Alvarado. “I believe teaching students civic engagement is a responsibility we should not take for granted.”

Dempsey thanked Kennedy for her persistence in making the position available to Douglas County students. 

“I want to thank Maddy for having the grit to get this whole process started,” said Dempsey.  “Her dedication and work has allowed students to be in contact with the people making important decisions about them.”

Student representative applicants had to submit a video for review by the board that outlined their involvement in school activities and what they plan to achieve as a student representative.

Dempsey has grown up in the Carson Valley attending Meneley Elementary, Pau-Wa-Lu Middle and Douglas High schools. He ranks No. 1 with a weighted GPA, was named student of the year in 2023, and is in AP and CTE classes. He is the captain of the academic team and a member of the math club. He also works as a recreational aid for Douglas County. Part of his job is to go to different elementary schools and interact with students by helping them with their homework and playing games.

“I think that kind of insight with the younger kids gives a different perspective to the board on the younger kids as well as students at the high school level,” he said.

Dempsey said he is grateful for the education Douglas County has provided him and hopes to encourage others by giving them a voice.

“I am passionate about education because I am a learner at heart,” he said. “Douglas County has gifted me knowledge and I think by improving our education system, we can give all students more knowledge and make more learners who will further empower themselves and their schools.”

Dempsey said his goal is to strengthen the connection between the school board and the students.

“It’s really about connection,” he said. “By strengthening the connection between the board and the students, the board will more effectively be able to serve students.”

Between his job with elementary students, his brother at Pau-Wa-Lu middle school and being a student at Douglas High School himself, he has “connections” around the district and plans to utilize them to learn more and share more about the district.  

As part of his first report, Dempsey shared that the Douglas High School football team has won its last two games, beating North Valley 56-32 and holds a 3-1 record, so far this season.

He also shared Douglas High School has several new clubs including an NFL weekly pick where students and teachers talk about professional football and choose their favorite teams for the season. There’s also a scrapbooking club, a math club, guitar club and two community service clubs, key club and Interact club.

Dempsey highlighted upcoming district events including the Douglas High School Scholarship dinner on Sept. 22 at the Carson Valley Inn TJ Corral.

“It’s a good way to help students because all the proceeds go to the athletic scholarship and DHS athletics,” he said.

He said Douglas High School’s homecoming game is Sept. 27 against Spanish Springs and the dance follows on Sept. 28.

Dempsey said he is looking forward to connecting with students and the community to shed positive light on the district.

“I want to bring more positivity into our discourse, like what people say about our education,” he said. “I do believe Douglas County has a great education system and I want to give more positivity into that light by informing what is happening inside our schools.”

As a member of the governance team, Dempsey and future student representatives will be provided training and resources to fulfill their duties. Though they are nonvoting members, they are able to share how agenda action items impact student experiences across the district.