Shaw was appointed as Silver Creek’s first student representative on the Board of Education at a recent meeting. She became the first student to read an official oath aloud in the opening moments of the meeting, then signed her name in the book of signatures of current and past members following the meeting.

“I’m just excited for the opportunity and to get started, to set an example and really represent what the students need at our school,” Shaw said.

The Board of Education is focused on three main goals, centered on “creating welcoming and affirming environments” for students to feel safe and thrive; increased student engagement; and experiences for students that create a “meaningful connection” with the district. Having Shaw represent the student body not only gives her an opportunity to build a connection with the Board and have more of a say in how the District operates, but also the same for her fellow students.

“Molly is well-respected among her peers,” Superintendent Dr. Katie Ralston said. “She has a kind spirit to be able to listen to what it is that students need, and then deliver that to us tactfully, as well.”

Molly Shaw was sworn in as the first student representative of the Silver Creek Board of Education at a recent meeting.

As the Co-President of the Youth Advisory Committee, Shaw is already a well-respected voice for the students of the district. Shaw expressed confidence in stepping into the new role of being a Student Board Member. Rather than viewing it as the hurdle of stepping into unfamiliar territory, she looks forward to beginning a new tradition at her school.

“I’m really excited because I get to set the tone for future student representatives,” Shaw said.

Shaw has been a student at the Silver Creek Central School District since Pre-K. She stated she has “had the best experience here so far.”

When asked what her favorite thing is about the district she calls home, Shaw said, “I like that it feels like a family, like a team dynamic.” No one knows that better than Shaw, who is a varsity athlete as a cross country/track runner across all three seasons; and also has two younger siblings in the district, as well. The Shaw family lives within just a few miles of the school.

When the Board decided to implement the role of a Student Board Member this school year, the process began with High School Principal Wendy Harrod visiting classrooms to inform students about the role. The application process considered a candidate’s involvement in the school and throughout the community. An emphasis was put on leadership qualities that would help the District and the Board engage more effectively with the student body.

After receiving all of the applications, Harrod discussed the candidates with Ralston. From there, Ralston narrowed the candidates to two finalists before involving Board of Education President Martha Howard in making the final decision.

Shaw immediately seemed like a perfect fit.

During the application process, Shaw was inspired by the writing topic of what being a Black Knight meant to her. She credited the District for playing a role in shaping her into the person she is today.

“The way that she wrote her responses just really let us know that we would have a student perspective in all of our decisions,” Ralston said.

Shaw and Ralston will meet before and after each Board meeting to discuss the topics of the meeting and come up with ways to share the information with the rest of the school.

“That’s what I’m really looking forward to,” Ralston said. “People know we have Board meetings, but students don’t always understand how much that impacts what happens for them on a regular basis. Molly is our catalyst to help spread that information.”