Harrington Middle School’s Maria Lye-McElroy was one of 25 students selected to participate in this year’s 8th Grade Dialogue event, sponsored by the Burlington County School Boards Association. County students share their school experiences with educators, board members and community leaders.
The township board of education recently cited Harrington Middle School student Maria Lye-McElroy for representing her school at this year’s Burlington County School Boards Association’s 8th Grade Dialogue.
The event – held on March 19 at Helen A. Fort Middle School in Pemberton – is an annual student-led program that brings together middle-schoolers from across the county for a meaningful panel discussion. Panelists share their perspectives on topics such as mental health; post-secondary goals; peer pressure; and school climate, while educators, board members and community leaders get to hear directly from the students about their experiences.
Question asked of students ranged from what changes they would make as a principal, how prepared they felt for high school and their future plans.
The dialogue serves as a bridge for young voices to influence local school policies and practices, encouraging them to speak on their educational journey and share their perspectives directly with key stakeholders
Superintendent George Rafferty, school board president Danielle Stuffo and Harrington principal Drew Besler presented a certificate of recognition to Lye-McElroy at a recent board meeting.
“Every year the Burlington County School Boards Association asks every middle school in the county to nominate a student to participate in what they call the 8th Grade Dialogue,” Rafferty explained. “Our student was Maria, and she did not disappoint. She was fantastic and did a wonderful job.”
Lye-McElroy was one of 25 students selected for this year’s event.
“The students were asked various questions,” Rafferty recalled. “They couldn’t get them wrong. It was more or less their point of view as an eighth grader in Burlington County, and to get their input on various topics that the school board asks them.”
“I know I’m partial to (Lye-McElroy) because she is a Harrington Middle School student,” Besler remarked, “but she knocked it out of the park. She was absolutely fantastic. She spoke so well and with such conviction, it was almost like there was a teleprompter in front of her.
“It was a really proud moment,” Besler added, “not only for Harrington Middle School and obviously Maria’s family, but for everyone in attendance because they were able to the type of individual that she is. Maria represented herself and (Harrington) so well and we couldn’t be more proud of her.”
