Student named to School Committee

Date: 11/18/2008

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor



SPRINGFIELD Emily Burdick, a junior at the High School of Commerce, was selected to be this year's student representative to the Springfield School Committee on Thursday.

It is Burdick's second year as the student representative to the School Committee from Commerce and she said, "I'm really excited to be up there [with the committee members]."

She said on her first night she was very interested to see how individual members voted and the "back and forth" between them.

"I'm interested in seeing how everything works," she said.

Burdick's law teacher at Commerce recommended her for the student representative position. She said she thinks she is a good voice for the students "because I'm willing to listen to all of the students [on issues]."

Burdick said of her own participation on the committee that she intends to "move in slowly" and will be more comfortable offering her opinion after several more meetings.

She already has issues she would like to bring up to the committee, including adding black pants as an option for the school uniform. She believes this will help students who might only have one pair of khaki pants.

She also want to see the International Baccalaureate program, of which she is a member, receive more attention.

"Why isn't there more publicity on it?" she asked.

Burdick is interested in majoring in elementary education in college and serving in the Peace Corps for two years after graduation.