Mt. Blue High School seniors Riley Drummond and Olivia Schanck are student representatives on the Regional School Unit 9 board of directors. Franklin Journal photo by Nicole Carter
FARMINGTON — Olivia Schanck and Riley Drummond say their representation on the Regional School Unit 9 board of directors keeps them and their Mt. Blue High School classmates informed.
It also continues their lifelong connection.
“I felt it was something important to do,” Drummond said a a few minutes before the Sept. 24 board meeting. “I wanted to see the background of what it takes to run the schools.”
“I like being informed,” Schanck said. “I know what is happening. And when other kids talk about what they hear is going on, I can correct them.”
The student representatives mostly observe and occasionally will provide input on issues when they feel students’ perspectives will help.
“We can vote on plans or changes if we feel it’s important,” Schanck said. “Our vote doesn’t get counted, but noted. We vote when we want the board to see that students will be impacted and want to be heard.”
The two lifelong friends are committed to the board meetings every second and fourth Tuesday of the month during the school year.
They grew up on the same street in East Wilton and have been classmates since preschool. They both play violin in the school orchestra and plan to attend the University of Maine at Orono.
That’s where their similarities end.
Schanck is president of the Class of 2020 and the school’s National Honor Society. She participates in Youth Expedition to Ignite, which emphasizes outdoor activities, unplugging from technology and building peer relationships. She also dances competitively and is a multifaceted artist.
Drummond is on the cross country team and participates in the Interact Club, a Rotary-sponsored service program. He is one of about 30 young Rotarians focused on community involvement and fundraising.
Schanck plans to major in childhood development/family relations and minor in leadership at UMaine and become an elementary school guidance counselor.
Drummond is looking to study biomedical and chemical engineering before attending dental school.
Both say they want to stay in Maine after college.
Drummond is undecided if he’ll find himself in the same neighborhood where he grew up. Schanck, however, has no reservations.
“I’m staying right here,” she said. “I’m going to be the guidance counselor where I went to school myself – Cushing in Wilton!”
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