Jan. 11, 2026
By Isabella Bartlett
Managing Editor
Sophomore Nicholas Brennen is used to juggling a packed schedule of advanced classes, performing arts, student government and varsity sports — but this school year, he has added one more responsibility: serving as LHS’ 2025-2026 student representative to the Board of Education.
Brennen, who applied for the position through the Student Government Association, was elected by his classmates in June 2025.
Brennen said he learned about this opportunity from last year’s student representative, Class of 2025 graduate Drew Bancroft, and decided to pursue it to magnify his peers’ voices.
“I hope to act as a line of communication between students and the people who run the district, ensuring that any pressing matters within the school are properly heard and addressed,” Brennen said.
As student representative, Brennen is responsible for writing a report on his peers’ achievements, events and concerns, which he presents at the monthly Board of Education meetings at the middle school.
“He is really good at communicating, and speaking with the adults on the Board of Education isn’t difficult for him.”
“I am spreading the word to my classmates about my position,” Brennen said. “I would like [them] to know that I will listen to any problems that are hindering processes and activities within the school.”
Brennen said he expects his experiences as a student representative to help prepare him for a career in law or politics.
“This position will give me the skills necessary to address problems professionally, present in front of other authorities and meet deadlines for presentations and assignments,” Brennen said. “I would like to use these skills to continue bettering the world on any scale, locally or nationally, in the future.”
Board of Education vice president Paul Passamano said Brennen is well-suited for his position.
“He is very to the point. He lets us know of things that were done, that are coming up [and] that need to be done,” Passamano said.
He said Brennen excels as the student representative because he is trustworthy and confident.
“He knows what he’s talking about, and he’s very educated for this position [and not] afraid of any rebuttal,” Passamano said.
He said Brennen’s public speaking abilities will contribute to his professional success.
“He knows what he wants and tells it like it is,” Passamano said. “If he continues this type of service in the future, he can handle any task given to him.”
Sophomore Madison Quick, who has been friends with Brennen since sixth grade, said his outgoing personality makes him approachable, which is a necessary quality for a leader.
“Students in our class like him and therefore trust him,” Quick said. “He is always talking to someone different in the hallways to the point that it feels like he is friends with everyone.”
Quick said Brennen’s interpersonal skills make him the right fit for a position that might intimidate other students.
“He is really good at communicating, and speaking with the adults on the Board of Education isn’t difficult for him,” Quick said.
She said Brennen is kind and responsible, which are traits she is glad to see in someone who represents LHS’ students.
“He cares about the kids in our school and will listen to any problems they feel need to be addressed,” said Quick.
