(WGXA) — The Georgia State School Superintendent has selected multiple students across Middle Georgia to serve on his 2025-2026 Student Advisory Council.

According to the Georgia Department of Education (Ga. DOE), to earn a spot on the council, each student wrote essays addressing various issues in education, the importance of teacher recruitment, classroom experiences, and access to resources for students in rural areas.

15 of the 79 students selected by Superintendent Richard Woods are currently enrolled in high schools across Bibb, Jones, Washington, Monroe, Houston, Baldwin, Dooly, Puntam, Macon, Laurens and Bleckley counties.

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Out of over 1,200 applicants, these students will have the opportunity to meet with Woods to provide feedback on the impact of state policies in the classroom.

"I am excited to welcome the students who will serve on the 2025-2026 Student Advisory Council. This council is about hearing directly from students – the ones experiencing our schools every day. These outstanding young leaders bring experiences and perspectives from every corner of our state, and their viewpoints and ideas will guide our work, ensuring we stay focused on what matters most: supporting every student’s success. I look forward to learning from them and working together throughout the year," Woods said in a statment.

On Monday, the Bibb County School District announced that Southwest High School senior Loymiela Thomas and Howard High School junior Jaiden Geolingo were selected to serve on the council and use their voices in the policy-making process.

Other students representing Central Georgia on the 2025-2026 Student Avisory Council include:

• Coreyona (Corey) Farley - Junior, Putnam County High School
• Elvis Gonzalez - Junior, Dooly County High School
• Jakobe Poole - Junior, Washington County High School
• Reagan Wright - Senior, Washington County High School
• James Pippin - Sophomore, Mary Persons High School
• Javian Gibson Senior - Jones County High School
• Jocabed Aguirre - Junior, Macon County High School
• Kuanta Guyton - Senior, Dublin High School (Dublin City Schools)
• Walker Glass - Sophomore, West Laurens High School
• Rahina Biyogmam - Junior Baldwin High School
• Sebastian Singleton - Sophomore, Houston County High School
• Serena Knox - Junior Veterans High School, Houston County
• Sheyla Morales Velazquez - Senior, Bleckley County High School

For a full list of selected students and more information on the Student Advisory Council, visit Ga. DOE's website.

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