Once a month, Wantagh High School general organization presidents Danny Donahue and Nina Myers update the board of education and the public on activities, achievements and athletics. They are serving as this year’s ex officio students members of the board and give a report during every regular business meeting.

Danny, a senior, was one of two student members last year, and junior Nina is a newcomer to the role. Before each meeting, they speak with other student government leaders, club officers and team captains to gather information. For their first report in September, Danny and Nina spoke about freshmen orientation and the start of fall sports, while their October update included a recap of homecoming and the pep rally. Other regular highlights include community service projects, athletic team championships and upcoming events.

“We’re able to get information about everything that’s going on from the other people in student government,” Nina said, adding that the general organization members collectively belong to just about every club at Wantagh High School. 

While student ex officio members are now required in every district in New York State with a high school, the position has been long established in Wantagh. Although they do not vote or go into executive session, students have had a seat at the table for more than a decade. Danny and Nina, and the student leaders who have come before them, provide their update at the start of the organizational reports section of the monthly agenda.

“It’s an awesome experience that we get to actively share what’s happening with the student body,” Danny said. “It’s a cool bridge between the student body, and the administration and board of education. They’re making decisions for us so it’s good for them to have that in-person insight.”

Nina said that the communication is two ways. She and Danny also bring back to the student body information they learn at board meetings. For example, they were able to tell their peers about planned renovations to the high school library next summer, which were highlighted in the superintendent’s report.

The student board members are extremely involved in student life. Danny is Class of 2026 president, a member of the varsity volleyball and tennis teams, plays the violin in the Chamber Orchestra and is part of the National, English, Science, Tri-M Music and World Language honor societies. Over the summer, he completed an internship with State Sen. Steve Rhoads and hosts a politics for teens podcast, “Make it Make Sense,” with objective weekly reports on national issues.

Nina is president of Morgan’s Message, vice president for Cohen Strong, co-president of the Big Sisters Club, historian for the Class of 2027 and a member of the English Honor Society. Outside of school, she belongs to the B’nai Brith Youth Organization.

Danny and Nina added that serving as a student representative on the board of education helps develop skills such as networking and public speaking.