Meet Our Student Representatives Bringing Student Voice to the Board of Education Table

Meet Pickerington Local Schools’ First Student Representatives

Connecting Student Perspectives to the Board of Education

Pickerington, OH - September 28, 2026 - Beginning Monday, September 28, two Pickerington Local Schools (PLSD) students will have a new place at the Board of Education table — bringing the student perspective directly into the conversations that shape the District.

In April, the Board of Education (BOE) approved the creation of two non-voting student representative positions, with one student representing each of the District’s two high schools. The Board identified student voice and engagement in the democratic process as important reasons for creating the positions, while also recognizing that students can bring unique perspectives to conversations about policy, curriculum and school climate. The positions are also intended to strengthen communication between the Board, administration and students.

Board Vice President Mark Hensen said the need for student representation became clear as the Board considered how many decisions directly affect students.

“The BOE routinely discusses and approves student-specific items like the Program of Studies, School Year Calendar, Student Code of Conduct, Grading Systems, policies involving student health, well-being, graduation requirements, cell phones, along with school technology, curriculum agreements, etc., all without being informed by a student perspective,” Hensen said. “That was a structural deficiency that needed to be addressed and changed.”

Now, Wyatt Garn, a junior at Pickerington High School Central, and Joel Nya, a junior at Pickerington High School North, will bring those student perspectives to the Board table.

Wyatt Garn, a Junior at Pickerington High School Central

For Wyatt Garn, the opportunity is about using his voice to help bring students together and move the District toward common goals.

“I’m here to serve the student body that I now represent,” he said.

Garn says he was interested in becoming a student representative because of the opportunity to “speak up for students, to bring our District together and to bring everyone forward toward common goals.”

He sees his role as more than simply speaking on behalf of himself.

“Standing up for those that have felt ignored, to listen to those that can bring us forward and be a light for the future,” Garn said.

As a student representative, Garn hopes to gain leadership and community organizing experience that will last well beyond his time in high school. He also hopes to bring what he describes as “a clean, transparent and impactful path for change” focused on mental health expansion, school participation and community outreach.

Garn is involved in a wide range of activities at Pickerington Central and in the community. He is a member of the school marching band, high school swim team, club swim team, Key Club, student council, Sunny Side Up and theater. He also participates in a Teens for Christ Bible study and volunteers with numerous campaigns.

When asked what makes him especially proud of Pickerington Local Schools, Garn pointed to the District’s sense of community and its ability to come together “for something bigger than ourselves.”

After high school, Garn plans to pursue dual majors in political science and public administration, with the goal of running for public office.

Joel Nya, a Junior at Pickerington High School North

Joel Nya, a junior at Pickerington High School North, sees his new role as an opportunity to make sure the student voice represented at the Board table reaches beyond the students who are already involved in leadership.

“To me, serving as a student representative means being a representative, not just a spokesperson for myself,” Nya said. “I want to listen to students with different experiences, interests, and perspectives and make sure those voices are represented in the conversations taking place at the Board level.”

Nya said he is especially excited to learn more about how a school district operates and how decisions are made at the District level.

“I hope to better understand the balance between student needs, staff perspectives, families, finances, and the many other factors that go into running a school district,” he said. “Beyond that, I think this experience will help me become a better listener and leader and give me a deeper understanding of what it takes to serve a community.”

Nya hopes to bring an open mind, a willingness to listen and an understanding of the student experience to the Board.

“I’m involved in several different parts of our school community, so I’ve had the opportunity to interact with students with very different interests and priorities,” he said. “I want to make sure the student voice extends beyond the students who are already involved in leadership.”

Nya is heavily involved in DECA and currently serves as the Ohio DECA State Secretary. At Pickerington North, he has served as Chapter President and Vice President of Finance. He is also involved in Diversity Club and French Honor Society and has participated in band and Track and Field.

Outside of school, Nya is particularly interested in financial literacy, youth leadership, entrepreneurship and creating opportunities that help other students succeed.

Nya says he is especially proud of the sense of opportunity within Pickerington Local Schools.

“Students can take so many different paths, whether that’s through academics, career-technical education, athletics, the arts, extracurriculars, or leadership,” he said. “I’ve personally benefited from having teachers and mentors who encouraged me to pursue opportunities outside of the traditional classroom, and I think that culture of encouraging students to discover what they’re capable of is something special about our District.”

After high school, Nya plans to study business and finance, with a particular interest in how finance and entrepreneurship can create opportunities for communities.

Student Representation at the Board Table

While Garn and Nya, as student representatives, will not have voting authority, Hensen said their participation can still have a meaningful impact on the Board’s work.

“Having a seat at the table is important regardless of the voting,” Hensen said. “Being able to use their voices and having us listen helps to shape our perspective, it can shape board agendas, and it can help us bridge the divide with a big part of our community.”

Board Member Brooke LaGrasso has a personal connection to the importance of giving students an opportunity to be heard.

When LaGrasso was a high school student, she questioned an opportunity she saw involving students with disabilities and approached her school administration with concerns. Rather than dismissing her questions, an assistant principal invited her to become a peer in the special education job skills class. The experience ultimately influenced her decision to become a special education teacher.

“I am who I am today because that assistant principal took the time to give my voice a place to grow,” LaGrasso said. “I am incredibly eager to pass that experience along to someone else, and I am just so thrilled to see what Wyatt and Joel will do with the opportunity."

“Wyatt and Joel have a unique opportunity to bring the student experience into conversations that directly affect our schools,” said Pickerington Local Schools Superintendent Dr. Charles Smialek. “At the same time, they’ll have the opportunity to see firsthand how decisions are made and the many perspectives that have to be considered along the way. I’m looking forward to learning from them, hearing their questions and ideas, and watching them grow through this experience.”

For Hensen, the value of the program will not necessarily be measured by a particular policy change.

“Just having them present and sharing their opinions, thoughts and perspectives will be extremely valuable,” Hensen said. “They will help bridge a communication gap that currently exists, and they will help us all grow and develop.”

Beginning September 28, Wyatt Garn and Joel Nya will officially take their places at the Board table as student representatives — bringing two new perspectives, two different student experiences and a direct connection to the students the Board of Education serves.