Two GCPS students selected for GSBA’s Youth Advisory Council

     Two Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) students have been selected for the Georgia School Boards Association (GSBA) 2026 Youth Advisory Council (YAC). Paloma Laboy, a junior at the Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology (GSMST) and Elijah Lee, a senior at North Gwinnett High School, will serve on the 2026 council.

     The GSBA YAC brings together young leaders from various public schools to actively participate in the discourse on educational policies and practices. This council empowers students to voice their perspectives and contribute to decision-making processes, ensuring that youth viewpoints are integral in shaping the educational landscape. Through this initiative, GSBA fosters a culture of engagement, leadership development, and advocacy among students, thereby nurturing the next generation of informed and involved citizens.

     Students are required to submit an electronic application that includes a video submission of one minute or less in length. The GSBA reported that Paloma’s written application and video submission reflected the engaging insightfulness, passion, and work ethic they sought during the selection process.

     “I was thrilled to be selected for the GSBA YAC and can only imagine the many things that I will learn from my fellow members on the council,” says Paloma. “I hope to contribute ideas that can make a real impact on these challenges and bring a Gwinnett County perspective to GSBA.”

     Elijah’s application discussed his hopes to peruse the importance of introducing workforce readiness and financial literacy education earlier in schools’ curricula. He says the council is a chance to present this case to people who can act statewide.

     “The responsibility of teaching financial literacy often falls onto the parents but why leave it up to the parents when the whole point of public education is to educate the youth on topics like these,” Elijah adds. "Take the risk or lose the chance."

Applications for the 2027 GSBA Youth Advisory Council (YAC) will open in Spring 2027.