Aiden Therrien, a 17-year-old AHS senior, attended his first School Committee meeting as the new student representative on Sept. 9.
Reminder Publishing photo by Mike Lydick
AGAWAM — When the School Committee met for the first time this school year on Sept. 9, there was a new face at the table.
Aiden Therrien, a 17-year-old senior at the high school, is the new student representative to the committee.
He will serve in this nonvoting position until June as the voice of the district’s more than 3,400 students.
AHS Principal Jim Blain said Therrien was one of 11 students who applied for the position — the largest group ever. “We actually had several rounds of interviews. It was really a difficult choice — and Aiden knocked it out of the park.” Therrien “earned the right” to represent students on the committee, Blain said.
Therrien said he was interested in serving as the student representative because he’s a native of Agawam and wanted to give something back to the community and the district that has given so much to him.
“It’s important to have a student representative on the School Committee because it allows for clear communication between people who make changes for the schools and the people who those changes impact. Without a representative, students’ voices may not be fully heard,” said Therrien.
Since School Committee decisions can affect the high school as well as the entire district, Therrien intends to focus on what’s happening at all the town’s public schools.
To help him get a better idea of what to expect from the twice-a-month meetings, Therrien talked with Christina Ritter, the previous student representative. He said the information and advice she provided will help ensure that he will be prepared for the responsibilities that come with this position.
Therrien has developed a plan with all school principals that will create a strong communication between himself and the schools. He said that communication will allow him to not only hear from all schools and their students, but also for him to inform them of relevant information that he learns at committee meetings.
Although no issues were brought to his attention before the first meeting, Therrien said one of his goals is to seek out student concerns and bring them to the attention of the committee.
At the high school, Therrien is involved in a variety of activities, including playing varsity soccer and running the school’s athletic club — which he founded to recognize and support AHS athletes in any way possible.
“Essentially, the club is aimed at providing a platform for athletes as well as giving them the recognition I feel they deserve. I think there was a need at our school for this — I saw that need and I filled it. I’m excited about where it’s going to go,” he said.
Therrien also serves as his school’s representative to the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association, the state’s governing body for athletics, and is a photographer/videographer for school sporting events.
On the academic side, Therrien is a member of the National Honor Society. He said time management and organizational skills have helped him to succeed in his academic studies and athletic interests. “Without the support of my principals and peers, I think balancing my commitments would be a struggle,” added Therrien.
He said his parents were “thrilled” when he told them he would be serving on the School Committee. “My mom in particular has always been supportive of anything I chose to do, so it means a lot to make her proud.”
Following his graduation in June, Therrien plans to attend a four-year college or university and eventually get an MBA. “I’m still exploring my options. Some schools I’m looking at are UMass Amherst, Boston College, Bentley University, Bryant University and Yale University,” he said.
