Students Cadence Ward and Lance Schroder are stepping into leadership roles as this year’s student representatives on the Board of Education. Both are eager to strengthen the connection between students and district leaders while encouraging their peers to share their voices.
Cadence, an 11th grader, is active in the district’s sports program, participating in volleyball, swim, and track, and also serves as president of several after-school clubs. She says she wanted to join the Board to “help bridge the gap between the students of this school and the board.” Her goals center on empowering her classmates. “I hope to make some sort of change in our school district, or at least help students understand their voices are important,” she explains.
For Cadence, representation means listening to everyone. “An important responsibility of being a student representative is getting to see the perspective of all students, not just the louder voices—the quiet ones too.” She hopes to build a stronger sense of community and pride in the district, saying, “I want students here to feel comfortable being who they are without being scared, and I want everyone to be proud that they go to New Lebanon.” When she’s not leading or competing, Cadence enjoys painting and teaching swim lessons at the school. Her message to classmates is simple: “Your voices can be heard, and your opinions are important.”
Lance, a 12th grader, is also a dedicated athlete and active member of several clubs. He views his new position as an opportunity to incorporate student perspectives into key decisions. “I believe the student voice is an important part of the school’s decisions, so I want to make sure students’ perspectives and ideas are heard,” he says. His primary goal as a representative is to “strengthen communication from students to the administration and the board of education,” while helping to foster positive change across the school community.
Lance believes that listening is at the heart of leadership. “The most important responsibility of a student representative is listening to the students and understanding what they care about, then relaying that effectively to the board,” he explains. He hopes to see more opportunities for student input on events and activities, ensuring everyone feels connected and included. Outside of academics and leadership, Lance is an accomplished swimmer who holds multiple school records. His advice to classmates: “Never underestimate your impact. Whether it’s starting a new club, helping a friend, or speaking up in class, your actions matter and help create a stronger, more connected school community.”
Their work on the Board serves as a reminder that meaningful change often begins with students willing to speak up and get involved. Students with questions, ideas, or concerns can reach out directly to Cadence and Lance at studentrep@newlebanoncsd.org to share their thoughts and help shape the future of our school.