HANCOCK, NY — Hancock Central School is proud to recognize senior Olivia Johnston, one of the district’s inaugural Student Board of Education members, for her dedication to leadership, advocacy, and representing the voices of her fellow Wildcats.
Through her role as a Student BOE member, Olivia helps strengthen the connection between students and school leadership by providing an opportunity for students to share their ideas, questions, and concerns.
Olivia is actively involved in the HCS community, serving as secretary of her class and participating in Student Council. She is also a three-sport athlete, competing in field hockey, basketball, and softball.
When asked what inspired her to become a Student Board of Education member, Olivia explained, “I wanted to help the student body by making sure their voices are heard.”
For Olivia, the most rewarding part of the position is knowing that students can come to her with ideas or concerns they would like shared with school leadership. Her goal is to help ensure that students feel represented and have an opportunity to contribute to conversations that affect their school experience.
Learning to Lead and Advocate
As a new ex officio member of the Board of Education, Olivia is learning as she goes. She and fellow Student BOE member Kaycee Karcher meet with Superintendent Lori A. Asquith for leadership and training exercises focused on asking questions, identifying common themes in student feedback, advocating for their peers, and following up on student concerns and ideas.
These experiences are helping Olivia develop the skills needed to represent her classmates and contribute to meaningful conversations within the school community.
One important lesson Olivia has taken from her experience so far is the importance of confidence and standing up for what she believes will benefit others.
“Be confident and push for what you believe will benefit everybody,” Olivia said.
Olivia also appreciates what makes Hancock Central School unique. She values the small-school environment, where students have the opportunity to personally know their mentors and classmates across all grade levels. That sense of connection helps make HCS a special place to learn, grow, and build relationships.
A Legacy of Dedication
Throughout her time at HCS, Olivia has made lasting memories both in and out of the classroom. One of her favorite memories is winning four state championships in softball, an accomplishment that reflects her involvement in athletics and her experiences as part of a team.
As she prepares for graduation, Olivia plans to attend college to study radiology. She also hopes to leave behind a legacy as a role model for other students, both academically and through her athletic career.
The advice she hopes to carry with her into the future is straightforward: “Always give 100% effort in everything that you do no matter what it is.”
That same commitment to effort and leadership is reflected in her work as a Student BOE member. By listening to her peers and helping communicate their perspectives, Olivia is contributing to an important new opportunity for student involvement at HCS.
When asked what being a Wildcat means to her, Olivia shared, “Being a Wildcat means giving 100% effort every day and having a kind heart.”
Hancock Central School is proud of Olivia’s dedication to her classmates, her school, and her community. Her commitment to making sure students feel heard is helping establish a strong foundation for future Student Board of Education members.
Thank you, Olivia, for your leadership, advocacy, and commitment to representing your fellow Wildcats!