On Friday, August 25, 2023, the high school student body of Oakwood Adventist Academy (OAA) voted for their student government, the OAA Student Association (OAASA). The process was flawless. Students gathered in our high school Storm Shelter to hear the candidates' speeches. One by one, candidates shared why they were the better person to represent them. They spoke of a vision for more spirituality and community, a voice for the quiet voices, a coming together across grades, and beautiful experiences for Fall Sadie Hawkins and Spring Banquet. The students were focused as they listened to very well-prepared speeches. Then, it was time to vote. Class by class, the students moved to the Collaboration room to cast their votes. They entered one door, voted in a private cubicle, and then left through another door. Teachers were the gatekeepers of the process. When the voting was completed and counted, our principal announced the winners. Six students were elected from across the Freshman to the Senior classes as OAASA leaders. This is one of the intentional steps we take in establishing each student's voice. They need to experience an authentic process of selecting those who share their vision, aligned with our school's overarching vision, for their school.

The Virginia Commonwealth University Center of Transition states that, "Instead of a top down, teacher-directed approach to learning, [student voice ensures that] students play an active and equal role in planning, learning, and leading…as well as contributing to the development of school practices and policies. This significant philosophical shift requires all stakeholders to embrace the belief that there is something to learn from every individual regardless of age, culture, socioeconomic status, or other qualifying factors."1 At OAA, we believe that our most important stakeholders are our students and that their voice at the table is crucial to the success of each student. With the OAASA officers elected and grade-level class officers in place, we selected students from our leaders to participate in the Southern Union Department of Education Leadership Conference held at Nosoca Pines. At this retreat, our student leaders began to plan and bond with each other. They held conversations on how to move forward for the year. Upon their return, OAA held a Leadership Breakfast where the student leaders shared with us, as Administrators, that they'd like to make a shift in their school's culture. They want to create an environment where everyone is seen and known in their one-hallway school. Also, OAASA requested meetings with all high school students without the administrators present. This was a significant request.

I read an article once where an individual traveling to a particular place stopped at a home to ask for directions. In his response to the traveler, the homeowner said, "I know where you're headed, but you won't get there from here." This is so true of our Christian Education. We will only realize God's plans for His young people when we, with His guidance, fully immerse them in the whole experience.

So, I mentioned Sadie Hawkins earlier. It is one of our school's traditions, a Fall festival-like event, where our high school young ladies ask young men to be their escorts to the event. OAASA planned for the event with the idea of "Houses" in an effort to create opportunities for interclass activities. They created groups, intergrade "Houses," posted them in our one hallway, and began to announce the sale of tickets. You can imagine their disappointment when the student body was not responding favorably to the event, which they promised in their election speeches would be great! This provided their opportunity to hold their first "House Meeting," as they have begun to call them, without administrators present. Facilitated by students, with only teachers present to keep order, OAASA prepared for this meeting. Teachers were not allowed to speak. In this exclusively student-only meeting, OAASA shared their vision more thoroughly and got feedback from their peers. The first of its kind, it was a reasonably successful meeting. They heard the concerns of their constituency and made the necessary shifts. As a result, about eighty percent of our high school students attended the event. As administrators, we had to trust the process. In stepping back, we wanted students to see that we aim to provide safe spaces for them to share and be heard.

We continue the journey of establishing a genuinely authentic student voice in our school, understanding that our student government is a crucial conduit. We see their voice as a means for all of us to uphold our Vision, provide Opportunities, and value Insight and Choice while striving for Excellence. In doing this, we hope to impact each student's spiritual, academic, social, and emotional success. They need this to finish the work the Lord has placed them here to do. We can get there from here.