Shirlann Harmon

JACKSON TWP — A Seneca Valley High School student is representing students from around the state as an adviser to the state Board of Education.

Shirlann Harmon, a junior, was recently chosen to a two-year term as a non-voting advisory member. She is one of only two high school students, and the only junior, picked for the position.

Harmon, 16, lives in Forward Township with her parents Kathleen and Mark and younger brother Jonathan.

She recently was recognized by the school board and school officials.

“You get to bring the voice of students, not just Seneca Valley, but the students across the state you’ve met in student council and in the leadership role,” Superintendent Tracy Vitale said.

Harmon said she doesn’t vote and can’t do much during the business meetings, but she does get to participate in conversations with the board members.

“My job isn’t really to cast a vote. I get to eat lunch with all the members up there, and I get to eat dinner with all the members up there,” she said. “A lot of what I have to say gets spoken through those informal settings.”

School board member Fred Peterson encouraged her to take advantage of the opportunity.

“I think it would certainly be a learning experience for you to learn how to interact with people like that, and I’m convinced it will be a learning experience for them. Obviously you have a lot to offer, so go get ‘em,” he said.

To be considered for the position, she had to submit a resume, essays and letters of recommendation and be interviewed by members of the Pennsylvania Association of Student Councils.

She said she and five other finalists went to Harrisburg April 9 and made presentations on the differences between the No Child Left Behind and Every Student Succeeds federal acts. They also had a roundtable discussion on whether they thought college was important and interviewed with the members of the association.

After returning home that night, she got a phone call notifying her that she was selected.

Her mother said she has been involved in student council since 7th grade and first heard about the position while attending a state conference in 8th grade.

“She’s very passionate about leadership, being a teen leader and reaching out to help other students,” she said.

She has also been involved in 4-H since 2010, raising rabbits and working as a camp counselor.

Her participation with the state board is supported by a grant from Highmark.

Student members were added to the board in 2008 when it changed its bylaws.

The board has 21 members who work with the state Department of Education, state policymakers and educators to review, develop and adopt regulations that govern basic and higher education.

It meets every other month in the capitol for two-day sessions, typically on a Wednesday and Thursday.

School board members asked Shirlann to report back with news or thoughts from attending the bimonthly meetings in Harrisburg.

“I, as a board member, would love to hear what your perceptions are out there in Harrisburg and what you’re picking up on,” board member Jeanette Lahm said.