Oakville, Milton Grade 11 students elected to Halton school board

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Published March 1, 2023 at 5:37 pm

Shrena Sribalan, a Grade 11 student at Craig Kielburger Secondary School in Milton, and Grade 11 student Sultan Alimzhanov, a Grade 11 student at Abbey Park High School in Oakville (pictured below), have been elected as Halton District School Board student trustees for the 2023-2024 school year. HDSBP PHOTOS

Calling their election wins an “unparalleled experience” and an “opportunity to lead,” the Halton District School Board’s two new student trustees are looking forward to the 2023-2024 school year.

Grade 11 students Sultan Alimzhanov, of Oakville, and Shrena Sribalan, of Milton were elected into the role through an on-line and in-person election held Feb. 24.

More than 2,500 students cast votes for 23 candidates running for the two student trustee positions.

“Being elected as one of the successful candidates to represent over 66,000 students in our board has been an unparalleled experience,” says Alimzhanov, who attends Abbey Park High School. “I feel a great sense of excitement and anticipation for the work Shrena and I will be able to contribute to enhancing HDSB in the upcoming school year.

“I am deeply grateful to my friends, family and teachers who have provided unwavering support throughout this journey. I am honoured and grateful to all the students in the HDSB who placed their trust in me to safeguard their interests.”

After watching her predecessors voice student concerns and reach immense heights at the board level, Sribalan is  excited to see where the role takes her.

“Ever since I first heard about the Student Trustee role in elementary school, I instantly fell in love with the opportunity to lead change in the HDSB,” says the student at Craig Kielburger Secondary School. “After years of involving myself in the HDSB Student Senate initiatives and hearing the voices and concerns of hundreds of students, I can’t express in words how humbled, grateful and honoured I am that my dream has come true.

“I’m unbelievably excited to work with Sultan, board members and most importantly, the students to ensure the HDSB is always striving to support every student in reaching their potential throughout their schooling and beyond.”

A student voice on the board is deeply valued, said Halton District School Board Chair Margo Shuttleworth.

“A Student Trustee is a representative of the students at the board table, they vocalize the opinions of the students and strive to make change,” said Shuttleworth. “We are excited to welcome Sultan and Shrena to the Board table, and we know they will respectfully and equitably represent their fellow  students with passion and excitement.

“The Board of Trustees look forward to working alongside our new Student Trustees in making positive change happen in Halton.”

The new term of office officially begins on Aug. 1, 2023.

 

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