State School Superintendent Richard Woods has selected 64 Georgia students to serve on his 2015 Student Advisory Council.  Mason Lawing, junior at Thomas County Central High School, was selected from a pool of more than 1,000 students who applied to serve on the council. Students were chosen based on the strength of their essay answers, which focused on their ideas for public education and ways their own educational experience could be improved.

Lawing is a member of the National Honor Society, the TCCHS Math Team, and has served as class president during both his sophomore and junior years.  He currently serves as vice president of the Future Business Leaders of America and participates in the Chamber’s Youth Leadership Program.  As a member of the varsity football team, he plays both the positions of guard and long snapper.

“I am very excited to be selected for the State Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council,” said Lawing. “It is an honor to represent Thomas County and TCCHS.”

Throughout the school year, these middle and high school students will meet with Superintendent Woods to discuss the impact of state policies in the classroom. Members of the Student Advisory Council will also discuss other issues related to education, and will serve as the Superintendent’s ambassadors to their respective schools.

“It is essential, as we work to develop child-focused, classroom-centered policies, to hear directly from students,” Superintendent Woods said. “These students feel the impact of our decisions every day and, if we’re going to improve their educational experience, we have to bring them to the table.”

 “It was hard to narrow down the many outstanding applications, but it was refreshing and valuable to read these students’ feedback and ideas for the future of our educational system,” Superintendent Woods said. “I’m thrilled to work with the members of my Student Advisory Council, and I’d like to thank every student who took the time to apply and share his or her thoughts.”

Meetings of the Student Advisory Council will be held February 27, March 11 and April 28 at the Georgia Department of Education’s offices in Atlanta.