Two seniors will be joining the Massapequa School District Board of Education as ex officio members. James Benjamin and Tatum Brennan were selected from more than a dozen applicants and will attend the meetings to provide updates on student accomplishments and activities at Massapequa High School.
They were appointed on Oct. 9 and will officially be sworn in at the Oct. 21 meeting. James and Tatum will not vote or attend executive session, but they will give a report at each public session. Students were invited to apply for the position and had to submit a statement of interest and well as letters of recommendation from teachers.
James, who attended Fairfield Elementary School, is a member of the cross-country, winter and spring track teams, plays the tuba in the jazz and pep bands, is co-president of the German Honor Society, and a member of the German Club, National Honor Society and Tri-M Music Honor Society. He also is a lifeguard for the Town of Oyster Bay.
Tatum, an East Lake Elementary School graduate, is the activities coordinator for the senior class, and a member of the field hockey team, Key Club, National Honor Society, Science Honor Society and a district social and emotional learning committee. Over the summer she worked as a summer recreation leader at East Lake.
The seniors, who both take multiple Advanced Placement courses, noted that they bring multiple perspectives to the table because of their commitment to their academics and involvement in both athletics and extracurricular activities.
“I’m involved in so many different aspects of the school and I feel I can bring so many different views to the table,” James said. “When you get involved in school, it gives you something to look forward to. You create relationships, you make friends and it makes everything a much more enjoyable experience.”
Tatum and James both look forward to bringing the student voice to board of education meetings.
“I thought it was really important and great that they were looking for student insight to help with the decisions that they make,” Tatum said. “I feel like I can bring a lot of information from a lot of different groups of people to the table. It’s really helpful having the people who the decisions are impacting the most at the meetings.”
Both are planning to pursue careers in the medical field. James aspires to become an anesthesiologist and Tatum strives to be a nurse.
“James and Tatum have consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership as Massapequa students,” Superintendent Dr. William Brennan said, “and I have no doubt that they will bring valuable insight to the table as our first ex officio student board members.”
Board of Education President Kerry Wachter added, “We are excited to welcome our new ex officio student board members to the Massapequa Board of Education. These accomplished students bring valuable perspectives from across our student body. In Massapequa, we have always taken student input seriously through committees and advisory groups. We look forward to their monthly updates to the board and their insights will help us continue fulfilling our mission: Creating leaders… one child at a time.”