2023-24 Student Trustees Announced at March 28 Board Meeting
Harry Wang (left) and Thomas Lin (right).
Hamilton, ON – March 29, 2023: Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) is proud to announce the Student Trustees for the 2023-24 school year. After tallying over 2,000 total votes, the top vote-getters were revealed at the March 27 Board Meeting: Harry Wang of Westmount Secondary School and Thomas Lin of Ancaster High Secondary School.
Both students plan to advocate for more mental health resources and supports. Lin added that he wants to strive for active communication between the student body and Board, as well as pushing for equity-based career resources and information webinars. Wang wants to help low-income students be able to fully participate in field trips and extracurriculars without worrying about finances. He also wants to help immigrants and newcomers feel welcomed when they arrive at school.
Both incoming Student Trustees mentioned that they will not be doing this work alone, adding they want to work with the student community in their new roles.
“I am looking forward to collaborating with Thomas and Harry as they strive to empower student voice and respond to the priorities of HWDSB students,” said Dawn Danko, Chair of the Board. “The role of Student Trustee is a vital one, and Trustees are excited to learn more about the work that these young leaders aim to accomplish during their term.”
Students in grades seven to 12 were able to vote for their top two candidates in this year’s Student Trustee Elections. Profiles for the fourteen candidates, which included written and video submissions, were posted to the HWDSB website on February 14. The voting link was then distributed to eligible students via email, the HWDSB website, social media, and more, with students casting their votes from February 21 to 28.
Current Student Trustees Aisha Mahmoud and Gloria Li will complete their term on July 31, 2023. The 2023-24 term for the new Student Trustees will begin the following day on August 1.
“We are so proud of Thomas and Harry, as well as all of the students who ran for next school year’s Student Trustee positions,” said Superintendent of Student Achievement Estella Jones, who oversees Student Senate. “It is exciting to know that so many students have an interest in being leaders in their community! We hope you run again next year if you are able to.”
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Media contact:
Shawn McKillop, APR
Manager of Communications and Community Engagement
[email protected]
Updated on Wednesday, March 29, 2023.