Lydia McKay admits she wondered how well her voice would be heard as Marion’s student representative to the district Board of Education.

As it turns out, her voice isn’t only heard, it’s encouraged.

“I get my own little segment to talk (at board meetings),” the Marion senior said. “And it’s really cool how attentive all the board members are. They ask me to share more.”

As president of the Class of 2026, McKay is the student voice at regular Board of Education meetings for Marion. And while she came into the role with some questions, it didn’t take long to understand that the impact isn’t just big, it’s very real.

She points to a situation with the cafeteria and a specific meal that wasn’t a favorite of students. McKay, a three-sport athlete who plays soccer, basketball and softball, took that concern to the Board.

“Within a week, we had a student survey about student lunches,” she said.

That’s what helped McKay realize just how important the student rep role can be for not just her, but all Marion students. And she hopes her experience will encourage future senior class presidents to embrace the opportunity.

“I feel like students and staff and Marion already have a strong connection so it’s nice to bring everyone into the same room and connect,” said McKay, a National Honor Society student who also is on the prom committee. 

That connection was on display last fall when the girls soccer program at Marion merged with Gananda. Opinions were plenty, she said, but that strong connection between students and staff helped smooth the transition and having a more direct connection to the Board of Education also helped.

“They would ask for my opinion so it was nice to give them input from someone who experienced it,” she said. “I also got to hear both sides of the issue, not just the players on my team.”

After graduation, McKay plans to attend Monroe Community College and play softball before transferring to another school for a degree in radiology. The experience she’s gaining now as the student rep will come into play as she navigates life after Marion CSD.

“It’s giving me a chance to learn and how to use my voice to help the people around me,” she said. 

Board of Education President Michele Kuelling is impressed with McKay’s professionalism and insight. 

“I have known her for years and knew she would make a great Student Rep, but she has exceeded all of our expectations,” said Kuelling. “This is what we wanted. We wanted their voices in our meetings. We wanted to not assume we knew what they thought or their opinions.

“I’m thankful to Lydia for the time and dedication she has put into her position. She does a great job … She is going to be a graduate to watch in the future.”