When the 2024-2025 State Student Advisory Council convenes for the first time in November, Lakeside High School senior Anna Katz will be among the voices shaping the future of education in Georgia. Selected as one of only 74 students statewide by State School Superintendent Richard Woods, Anna will represent not just her school but also the entire DeKalb County School District (DCSD) on the council this year.

“I was super excited,” Anna recalled upon learning of her appointment. “I immediately started thinking about the topics I wanted to bring up at the meetings.”

Anna’s passion for advocacy took root during her sophomore year when she provided feedback on DCSD’s dress code policy. Recognizing that the existing rules didn’t reflect modern societal norms, she spoke out—a move that was instrumental in the district revising the policy to better respect student individuality while maintaining a focus on well-being.

“That experience made me realize how impactful it is to have access to decision-makers,” Anna said. “It’s much easier to advocate for change when you can communicate directly with those in charge. Joining the Student Advisory Council seemed like the perfect opportunity to represent student voices at the state level.”

Superintendent Woods expressed enthusiasm for the new council members.

“These young leaders represent the future of Georgia, and their voices are crucial as we continue to shape the direction of education in our state,” said Superintendent Woods. “I look forward to hearing their ideas, insights, and perspectives as we work together to ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed.”

The State Student Advisory Council, created by the Georgia Department of Education, engages students in policymaking. The council ensures educational policies reflect their experiences by uniting diverse students across the state. Members are selected for their leadership, community service, and academic achievements.

The council serves as a vital link between students and state education officials. Throughout the year, members provide insights on state policies, discuss key educational issues, represent their schools, and participate in community service projects across Georgia.

As the sole representative from DCSD and one of the few from metro Atlanta, Anna is keenly aware of the diverse student population she represents and is committed to amplifying a wide range of perspectives.

“I’m a female student and Jewish, so I can share from those experiences,” she said. “But I recognize I don’t fully understand the experiences of Hispanic, Black, or male students. This challenges me to listen actively and bring their concerns to the forefront during our meetings.”

One of the key issues Anna plans to address is disciplinary inequality in schools. As a dual-enrollment student at Georgia Tech, she’s delving deeper into this topic through a public policy class project focused on school discipline disparities in Atlanta Public Schools. Partnering with a school board member, she’s examining how Black students are disciplined at disproportionately higher rates compared to their White counterparts.

“The number one thing I want to work on with the council is how to reduce those discipline disparities and ensure all students are in school,” Anna said. “And address the dropout rates that come from school discipline.”

Beyond her advocacy efforts, Anna is an active leader within her school community. She serves as the president of the Jewish Student Union and co-president of the Mock Trial team. With aspirations of becoming a civil rights lawyer, she views her role on the council as a stepping stone toward broader societal impact.

“I’m looking forward to representing all DeKalb students,” she said. “I hope to do us justice and drive positive changes that will benefit everyone.”