BONNYVILLE – Bonnyville will be represented on the Minister’s Youth Council.
Grade 10 Notre Dame High School (NDHS) student Morgan Gillis is among the 41 junior and senior high schoolers from across the province chosen for the upcoming school year.
Although she’s nervous, Gillis said “I’m excited that I was selected and think that it will be fun to represent my school district.”
After hearing about the opportunity online, Gillis applied because she’s “passionate about inclusion and I’d like to prevent stigma about mental health.”
The students chosen for the council will spend 10 months of the year working together. According to the selection criteria from the province, the group was chosen based on their diverse backgrounds and ability provide different perspectives from across the province on educational issues.
Gillis was blown away when she learned she will be joining the youth council.
“I knew lots of people had applied, so I wasn’t sure about my chances. I knew that my application was as best as I could get."
She added, “I’m excited to work with a diverse group of peers and people that will have similar interests as myself. I also think it will be cool because we’ll be able to learn about government processes, education, and different ways to show leadership.”
At NDHS, Gillis has been an active member of the school community. She’s part of the leadership committee and also participates in sports and drama.
After graduation, the Grade 10 student hopes attend university to become a teacher or occupational therapist.
“You get to work with kids in both of them. I like working with kids and people in general,” she explained.
She hopes her experience on the minister’s youth council will get her better prepared for the fields she plans to enter one day.
“It will teach me more about education and government processes. If I learn about education, it could help show me what a future in education could look like.”
Due to COVID-19, Gillis is left wondering what the next year will look like for the youth council. The group typically meets a couple of times a year, with the first scheduled to happen in October, however she's unsure if those meetings will be in-person.
The Minister's Youth Council gives students opportunities to share input and perspectives on provincial programs and initiatives, according the province, and benefits participants by improving leadership skills, fostering new relationships, and providing a greater understanding of the education system.
