A Seneca Valley sophomore will represent more than 1.8 million Pennsylvania students this year and next in her capacity as a junior representative to the state’s Board of Education in Harrisburg.

Emily Clark, 15, is one of just two students statewide who were chosen for the prestigious appointment.

Selected after an application process, Clark will work closely will the board and the state’s Department of Education in reviewing, developing and adopting regulations that govern education throughout the state.

Although Clark will not have a vote on the board, she will bring a unique student’s perspective to policy-making and will have influence on what is adopted or rejected.

In addition to her duties with the board, Clark in February will chair a student summit on educational issues facing Pennsylvania students. The summit will take place on the floor of the General Assembly in Harrisburg.

In her capacity as a junior representative on the board, Clark will attend six two-day meetings starting in January and then continuing every other month throughout the year.

During this time, she will also attend committee meetings, public roundtables, public hearings and other activities.

The junior representative also will provide periodic reports to the Pennsylvania Association of Student Councils, and she will attend at least two meetings to provide feedback and to interact with the council’s executive board.

Her selection as a junior representative will require a significant dedication of time and energy, Clark said, especially between her regular extra-curricular activities at Seneca Valley and her part-time job.

Regardless of the challenges, Clark said she’s looking forward to being a voice for so many fellow students across the state.

“I think one of the biggest challenges is going to be reaching out to schools and students across the state,” she said. “I am responsible for representing approximately 1.8 million students, and it is going to be challenging to reach out to all of them.”

Clark has already attended several meetings in Harrisburg, even though her term hasn’t yet begun.

Though the job will require a significant amount of sacrifice, Clark said she hasn’t and won’t lose sight of the honor and distinction of being a junior representative.

“I am very honored to be chosen as the junior rep,” she said. “It is a great responsibility and I am very excited and grateful to have such a wonderful opportunity.”

Clark said she learned of this exciting opportunity through her duties on Seneca Valley’s student council. She also said her skills will enable her to be an effective representative. “I am hardworking and organized, and I hope to provide an accurate perspective of the opinions of the 1.8 million students in Pennsylvania,” she said.

Heather Clark, Emily’s mother, said she is excited about this opportunity for her daughter, even if it means she’ll be away from home more often.

“She doesn’t even have time anymore to unload the dishwasher,” she said with a laugh. “But obviously, we’re quite proud of her.”

Most importantly, Heather Clark sees this opportunity as an experience that will significantly impact Emily’s options when it comes time to apply for college.

“It is a big responsibility, it really is,” she said. “It’s something she understood and wanted to do. She’s a very active kid with other things in school, and I really think it’s a great opportunity. Looking down the road, it could also open some doors.”

Linda Andreassi, Seneca Valley’s director of communications, said administrators, teachers and the student body alike are proud of Clark’s accomplishment and ambition.

“All of us at Seneca Valley are impressed and excited to learn of Emily’s role with the Pennsylvania Board of Education,” Andreassi said.

“She will not only represent her peers across the Commonwealth, but will serve as an outstanding role model. We’re proud to call her a Seneca Valley Raider and wish her much success.”