Student ambassadors from across the district introduce themselves at South Washington County Schools board meeting

COTTAGE GROVE, Minn. — Student district ambassadors from elementary, middle and alternative programs introduced themselves and described their experiences to the South Washington County Schools Board of Education on May 21.

Superintendent Julie Nelson invited the ambassadors to the boardroom and summarized the group’s work this year, saying they met five times for activities that included interactive storytelling, nutrition services food testing used to inform menus, behind‑the‑scenes district tours and lessons on digital literacy and the course catalog. "Your opinions are valuable," Nelson told the students as she encouraged continued participation.

Several ambassadors spoke briefly. Mallory, a student ambassador for Woodbury Elementary, said, "I learned that my opinions are valuable and I gained confidence in trying new experiences." Emily Gordon, a fifth grader at Great Cloud Elementary, said she appreciated meeting students from other schools and learning how the district operates behind the scenes. Ryan, a graduate ambassador from Next Step, said the experience revealed functions of the district he had not expected.

Nelson closed by thanking families and staff, highlighting employee recognition events and district scholarship awards reported at recent senior award ceremonies. She asked the ambassadors to "be kind to each other" and encouraged family members to remain engaged; the superintendent also noted graduation dates for the district’s comprehensive high schools.

The board offered the students a round of applause and invited them to remain for the remainder of the brief meeting.