Freshman Ethan Ness has been accepted to be on the Student Advisory Council for State School Superintendent Dr. Richard Woods.

“I applied because I have a more athletic personality,” Ness said. “I wanted to [be a] voice [for] the athletic and sports-dedicated kids [and their] opinions on the committee.” 

The State School Superintendent’s School Advisory Council is a group of students in grades 9-12. Members are chosen by a committee of the Georgia Department of Education representatives based on the applicant’s response to a number of questions. Students may apply for the advisory council at the beginning of each school year by obtaining an application from their school or the state board of education website. 

A total of 48 high schoolers in the state were chosen to be on the council, two from each RESA district. Ness is one of two chosen from Fayette County.

They will discuss how decisions that affect students are made at the state level. Members will meet throughout the school year with State Superintendent Richard Woods and advisors who act as a bridge between the department of education and students of Georgia. 

In the application process, Ness had to fill out his personal information and then answer additional questions to explain why he wanted to be on the board. After this process, he was admitted onto the council. 

The first Student Advisory Council meeting of the year will be held virtually on Nov. 5.