Cerron-Palomino selected to State Superintendent Student Advisory Council

Georgia State Superintendent of Schools Richard Woods has selected 69 students statewide to take part in the Student Advisory Council for the 2023-24 school year. Cedar Shoals senior Alejandra Cerron-Palomino, currently dual enrolled at the University of Georgia, is the only member of that group from Clarke County School District.

“Throughout the year, students will meet with Superintendent Woods to provide feedback on the impact of state policies in the classroom. Members of the Student Advisory Council will also discuss other education-related issues, serve as the Superintendent’s ambassadors to their respective schools, and participate in service projects to benefit schools and students,” a press release stated.

The State Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council is a collection of students from grades 10-12 who meet to discuss how decisions made by the state affect students. Members of the board come together four times throughout the school year in order to provide the perspective of students affected by these decisions. Students apply to the council through an application submitted to a Georgia DOE committee.

Cerron-Palomino hopes to make her voice known to the state council and bring awareness to the district.

“I mainly hope to give a perspective on what high school looks like in Clarke County and also try to talk about any issues that are at school right now,” Cerron-Palomino said.

In fact, it was this focus that led her to apply in the first place. 

“I wanted to join the board because Clarke County is not very talked about, and we have a lot of issues that should be discussed. I was hoping that joining this council would help with them,” Cerron-Palomino said.

As a student leader, Cerron-Palomino has prior experience serving on high level leadership groups, like being part of CCSD Superintendent Dr. Robbie Hooker’s Advisory Council for the last two years. Being part of Woods’ group now, she wants to improve multiple things, including bus transportation for students.

“One of the main things that I don’t know if it can be resolved is transportation because there’s a lot of issues that I remember didn’t happen when I was a little kid. Now, the buses take so long to get everywhere. I know it’s a hiring issue and that they can’t do much about it, but clearly they have some ideas,” Cerron-Palomino said.

She also has things she would change about Cedar Shoals if she was the principal.

“I would like to change the classes offered, because during all my years at Cedar there are many times where I wanted to take a class, but they would say ‘Not enough people signed up,’” Cerron-Palomino said. “Also, I would say the block scheduling is convenient sometimes, but the way it is set it up is kind of awkward.” Cerron-Palomino said.

Her goals are not limited to the school system and Cedar Shoals High School. Cerron-Palomino also has personal goals beyond the advisory council and school, like what she wants to do with her future.

“I want to be in science, environmental science specifically. And, if given the chance, I would like to collaborate with educators. I’m not sure if that would be my full career, but I think education is important, so I most likely will be involved in it in the future,” Cerron-Palomino said.

The first meeting for the State Superintendent Student Advisory Council will take place on Nov. 9, 2023.