Charlotte High School Students Prepare to Vote for Next Student Advisor to the Board of Education

Charlotte High School Students Gear Up for Exciting Voting Opportunity!

Hey, Charlotte! Get ready for some exciting news coming out of your local high schools. As early voting kicks off across North Carolina, students in grades nine through twelve in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) have a big decision to make. Why? Because they get to vote for their next student advisor to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education! This is not just any voting process; it’s a chance for high schoolers to really have their voices heard and influence the future of their education in a meaningful way.

Meet the 2025 Candidates

This year’s competition saw an impressive 59% increase in applications, climbing from 93 last year to a whopping 148! This year, students from every comprehensive high school in the district threw their hats into the ring, making it a truly competitive field. And now, ten finalists have emerged, ready to campaign for your vote. Voting begins on October 21 and runs through November 5, Election Day, so you’ll have plenty of time to get to know these fantastic candidates.

• Gabriel Guerra Barceló, 11th grade, Charlotte Engineering Early College (CEEC) – Originally from Venezuela, Gabriel is aiming to be a voice for all students, especially minorities who may feel underrepresented. “I hope to improve communication between the board and students,” he says.
• Quinten Canty, 11th grade, West Charlotte High School – Quinten is passionate about empowering underrepresented students. He currently holds the position of chief of staff with the Student Government Association and plans to use that experience to enhance student engagement.
• Tatiana Collins, 11th grade, Independence High School – Tatiana believes many students are uninformed about board activities and wants to bridge that gap, ensuring students know what resources are available to them.
• Alejandra Flores, 11th grade, Olympic High School – As an officer in her Technology Student Association chapter, Alejandra is dedicated to making CMS a safe space for all. She’s keen to push for more supportive policies regarding school absences.
• Sydney Glover, 11th grade, Garinger High School – Sydney serves as her school’s Student Government Association historian and aims to be a voice for underserved students across the district.
• Katelyn Morton, 11th grade, Northwest School for the Arts – Katelyn is enthusiastic about promoting arts education and ensuring that all students have access to resources critical for their success.
• Ngozi Nwauwa, 10th grade, East Mecklenburg High School – With a CMS educator as a mom, Ngozi is passionate about helping every student achieve their academic potential and ensuring they have the resources they need.
• Lucy Silverstein, 11th grade, Providence High School – A theater lover and swimmer, Lucy is especially passionate about inclusivity and wants to advocate for mental health resources for all students.
• Madden Wilkinson, 10th grade, Hopewell High School – Madden is involved in the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps and wants to make sure that students are aware of the board’s decisions. He also believes increased communication via social media could enhance student engagement.

Why This Matter?

The student advisor position has been around since 2016, created to help board members tune in to the student perspective. This means the student advisor gets to attend board meetings and share opinions, although they cannot vote on board decisions. It’s a unique opportunity to connect directly with decision-makers and advocate for fellow students. Current student advisor Ailen De Bonis, a senior at Ardrey Kell High School, can certainly attest to the impact this role can have. As students cast their votes, they are not just voting for a person; they are influencing future policies and decisions that affect their daily lives.

The Call to Action

So, Charlotte high schoolers, are you ready to make a difference? Make sure you participate in this exciting election and let your voices be heard! Whether you resonate with Gabriel’s vision for minority advocacy or Sydney’s push for better communication, every vote counts! Since only students who are 18 will vote in the presidential, state, and local elections, it’s all on you to choose the student advisor who will represent your concerns and echo your voices in the Board of Education.

With voting running until November 5th, don’t miss out on an opportunity to shape the future of your education. Let’s get out there and make our voices count!