12/23/2011

Cape student begins term as non-voting representative on Maine State Board of Education

Talk about having friends in high places. Cape Elizabeth has one in Chelsey Whynot, a Cape Elizabeth High School junior who has begun a two-year term as a student representative on the Maine State Board of Education.

Chelsey spoke to members of the Cape Elizabeth School Board about her new adventure at their meeting Dec. 13, 2011.

"Right now we are back to regular meetings, and we're working on things like Common Core standards, the new SATs that are coming out in 2014 - you hear a lot about that, and you hear a lot about charter schools," she said, describing the discussion that lies ahead for the state's educational leadership.

Chelsey is one of two non-voting student representatives to the board, a position created in 2008 for one student in each of the state's Congressional districts.

She described the application process as grueling, but one she undertook last fall at the suggestion of High School Guidance Counselor Brandy Lapointe. After submitting her paper application, which required essays and recommendations from school administrators, Chelsey was called for what turned out to be an arena-style interview in Augusta. She was one of six finalists.

"They asked me some pretty hard questions," said Chelsey, a member of Cape Elizabeth's champion Mock Trial team. Questions included her take on education policies and how they might be improved.

A couple of months later, Chelsey said, she was one of two finalists and was called for an interview with Gov. Paul LePage. But the interview never happened. "I got a call, and they said the governor has reviewed your resume and doesn't see a need for an interview, and congratulated me on being the newest member of our board of education," Chelsey said.

The following months included confirmation by an education committee, swearing-in, and a summer retreat "which was two days of meetings until, I'm not kidding you, 10 o'clock at night," Chelsey said.

Since that time Chelsey has had the opportunity to visit schools around the state, and has now settled in to the schedule of regular monthly board meetings.

Chelsey and fellow student representative Angela Bechard of Monmouth Academy do not vote at meetings, but otherwise have full privileges and responsibilities of membership on the state Board of Education.

Voting members are always interested in what the students have to say, she said, and encouraged members of the Cape Elizabeth School Board to share their concerns so she may bring them to the table in Augusta.

Mary Townsend, School Board chair, said, "Chelsey is the only student in our (Congressional) district chosen to represent students and it's a huge, huge honor." And, she said, she couldn't think of a better person to do it.