NEWS RELEASE
SIMCOE MUSKOKA CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
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The role of student trustee is an important one. It is an excellent opportunity to learn valuable skills and participate in discussions around the trustee table. More importantly, it is a chance to represent students from each secondary school.
At the May 25 board meeting, the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board (SMCDSB) welcomed Kate Sontag as the 2022-2023 student trustee-elect.
The Grade 10 student from Patrick Fogarty Catholic Secondary School in Orillia was elected by the Student Senate on May 6 and will begin her two-year term on Aug. 1. She will work alongside current student trustee Andrew Jones from St. Theresa’s Catholic High School in Midland.
Sontag was selected by the Student Senate to represent the 21,000 students in the board’s 50 Catholic schools. She will work with student representatives from nine secondary schools, to bring the student voice to the trustees.
“Working with our student trustee is rewarding,” said Joe Zerdin, board chair. “We value hearing a student perspective, because student needs are at the heart of everything we do.”
“Kate is admired and respected by her classmates and teachers alike, and will certainly represent the secondary students of SMCDSB with enthusiasm and grace,” said Brian McKenzie, principal at Patrick Fogarty Catholic Secondary School.
Sontag is an active member of this year’s Student Senate representing the voice of Patrick Fogarty students. She attended a focus group with the school board to discuss mental health issues. Her extracurricular activities include eco-club and junior band.
Sontag has also taken on leadership roles in her school community, including implementing and reading the land acknowledgement weekly; attending the When Faith Meets Pedagogy Youth Forum and the Youth Summit for Mother Earth.
Outside her school community, Sontag swam for the Channel Cats competitive swim club for three years and helped younger children with their swimming skills. Sontag was a youth leader through the Orillia YMCA and works full time during the summer at a historical tourist spot in Orillia.
Sontag will be officially commissioned as the 2022-2023 student trustee at the first board meeting in September and will serve until July 31, 2024.
We are very excited to welcome Sontag into her new role and wish her the best of luck throughout the school year.
To learn more about the student trustee program at SMCDSB, please visit our website at smcdsb.on.ca/trustees/student_trustee.
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