Five from NE Ga. on state student advisory council

ATLANTA - Five northeast Georgia high schoolers are on the state Schools Superintendent's new Student Advisory Council.

Supt. Kathy Cox began the Superintendent's Advisory Council in 2003, when she took office.

Members of the council advise the Superintendent on policy issues and provide input on how state policy is having an impact in the classroom. The members -- all high school students -- also serve as ambassadors for the Georgia Department of Education in their schools.

There are 52 members of the 2006-2007 Student Advisory Council, each from a different school district in the state.

Those from northeast Georgia are: Dannelly Farrow of Cumming (South Forsyth High School), Andrew Lyle of Pendergrass (Jackson County Comprehensive High School), Morgan Gantt of Tiger (Rabun County High School), William Barton of Suches (Wood Gap School), and Whitney Wysznski of Sautee (White County 9th Grade Academy).

They were chosen through an application process that included biographical information and essay questions. There were 640 applications submitted from 120 different school districts around the state. The council members were chosen by a panel from the Georgia Department of Education.

"There were so many great applications that I know the final decision was very difficult for the panel," Superintendent Cox said. "I want to say 'thank you' to every student who took the time to apply and hope that, if possible, they will apply again next year."