June 13, 2021
By Carolyne Mooney
Editor
During her time at LHS, junior Stephanie Mizeski has thrived in her rigorous academic classes and extracurricular activities that include sports and clubs. She is a three-sport athlete who plays on the varsity indoor track, softball and volleyball teams. She is also vice president of the Animal Welfare Club along with being a member of the Environmental Club and National Honor Society. Now, she has taken on a new role as high school student representative on the Board of Education.
Mizeski was appointed to this position in February and will remain in that role through the end of the calendar year. She said she learned about the student representative position in January when the Lyndhurst Board of Education emailed all students in the district.
The newly formed Student Representative Committee consists of one student from LHS, the middle school and the elementary schools. These students have the responsibility of representing the views of their student body and reporting an agenda to the superintendent and Board of Education president. The students present their report at the Board of Education’s monthly public meetings.
Mizeski said she decided to apply to be student representative because she saw it as an opportunity to make positive changes.
“[My] motivation to continue this role and other activities is for the future. These roles are helpful to the school environment and future LHS students,” Mizeski said. “My main responsibilities are to voice every concern from LHS students no matter how big or small they are.”
She said one challenge about her role is balancing expectations since changes and improvements to a school take time, but people tend to be eager to see new developments taking place.
“My favorite thing about being student representative would be interacting with the representatives from other schools and communicating with everyone involved like LHS staff [and] counselors,” Mizeski said.
Mizeski said she believes her responsibilities on the Board of Education will help prepare her for a future in law or government.
“It will help me in public speaking and getting used to a more professional environment,” Mizeski said.
“Stephanie shows great sportsmanship within the sports she plays. As a three-sport athlete, she never brags about her abilities. Whenever I ask her about how she did at a game or meet, she always mentions the success of her teammates.”
Junior Jaylene Rivera said she got to know Mizeski through recreation softball, which they played in elementary school. Rivera said she and Mizeski have been great friends ever since. Now, they play high school softball together.
“Stephanie shows great sportsmanship within the sports she plays. As a three-sport athlete, she never brags about her abilities. Whenever I ask her about how she did at a game or meet, she always mentions the success of her teammates,” Rivera said. “She loves to see her teammates thrive even when she may be in a slump.”
Rivera said Mizeski has a great personality and is very outgoing and friendly around family, teachers and friends. She said Mizeski is an inclusive person who cares deeply about the people she is surrounded by and loves to make them happy.
“Stephanie is considerate and active with asking the students their opinions and concerns at LHS,” Rivera said. “She wants the best for all of us, which makes her the perfect student representative.”
Guidance counselor Mrs. Stacy said Mizeski exemplifies good leadership through her strong communication skills and empathy.
“Stephanie is a well-rounded student. She dedicates time to her academics and challenges herself by taking some of our most rigorous courses,” Stacy said.
This year, Mizeski is taking Advanced Placement Physics and Advanced Placement United States History. Next year, she will be enrolled in AP Comparative Government, honors calculus and an honors Virtual High School course.
Stacy said some of Mizeski’s strengths are that she is responsible, hardworking and ambitious in addition to having strong time management skills.
“Stephanie is a kind, polite and respectful student, and she is a great role model to her peers,” said Stacy.
