Rainbow Board welcomes Student Trustee for 2009-2010

Rainbow District School Board Director of Education Jean Hanson welcomes Billy Mekers of Lasalle Secondary School to the Board as a Student Trustee for the 2009-2010 school year.

Billy Mekers, a Grade 12 student at Lasalle Secondary School, will serve as Student Trustee on the Rainbow District School Board for the 2009-2010 School Year. He was sworn in at the Board meeting on Monday, August 24, 2009.

“We have a responsibility to develop our future leaders and student trustees help us to achieve this important objective,” said Board Chair Judy Hunda. “We welcome Billy Mekers’ input, knowing that he will bring a unique perspective to the table.” She added: “His involvement on the Board will give him an inside look at democracy in action.”

Billy Mekers looks forward to fulfilling his role as a Student Trustee. “My first three years of secondary education have provided me with the complete high school experience,” he said.  “In the role of Student Trustee, I will greatly encourage other students to become involved and create memories and life lessons of their own.” He added: “I look forward to sharing the student voice with the Board and gaining hands-on experience in this important role.”

Billy Mekers is Chair of the Rainbow District School Board Student Senate and is a member of the Lasalle Secondary School Student Council. A Lancer Scholar, he placed third at the Sudbury Regional Business Plan Challenge in 2008 and captured third place at the provincial Business Plan Challenge. He was also a member of the Lasalle Envirothon Team.
   
Billy Mekers’ interests extend beyond academics. He is Chair of Lasalle’s Relay For Life and helps organize the school’s Canned Food Drive. He has played in the Lasalle Intermediate Concert Band. He is actively involved in sports at Lasalle, including Curling and Tennis. He has been a curler for seven years and has competed in the provincial championships.

Billy Mekers plans to pursue his postsecondary studies at Laurentian University. He has his sights on a career in medicine or education.

The new school year begins one week prior to Labour Day. The first day of school will be on Tuesday, September 1st, 2009 for all area school boards, including Rainbow District School Board, the Sudbury Catholic District School Board, le Conseil scolaire catholique du Nouvel-Ontario and le Conseil scolaire public du Grand Nord de l’Ontario. Classes will end 30 minutes earlier on the first day.

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Media Contact:

Judy Hunda, Chair, Rainbow District School Board, 705-688-4598.