Cookeville Student Serving On State Board

A Cookeville High School Student providing a student perspective as a member of the Tennessee State Board of Education.

Senior Bonza Auberson is the first student out of Putnam County ever selected to serve as a student board member. Aubserson said she has been around education her whole life as her mother, Shannon Auberson, serves as Librarian at Algood Middle School.

“It does really interest me,” Auberson said. “You know, being a student myself I kind of want to know how it’s all being made and so I think that part was really interesting to me understanding more of like the policies, and really the work that goes into making our school system one of the best.”

Auberson said one of her goals as a board member is to understand students throughout the state since she will be representing them. Auberson said the most challenging part of being a student board member will be finding the balance of studying for classes and studying for board meetings.

“I think it will be a careful process I guess we will have to say,” Auberson said. “My workload is not too crazy as a senior this year. I kind of stepped back just a little bit so I can enjoy other senior things as well, but I kind of added this new thing on top of it. We will see how it goes, but definitely a balanced process I would say.”

Auberson said Cookeville High School is a much larger school than most schools so she is curious to see what other schools are like.

“I would love to hear all of their concerns and bring anything to the table that they would like,” Auberson said. “Which just means questions, if you have questions about school policies. Where it came from and if you have an idea for a new one. I’m definitely excited to hear from our students across the state.”

Auberson said Board of Education Chairman Robert Eby called her and congratulated her for becoming a part of the board. Auberson said she is excited to put a spotlight on Putnam County.

“Being the first student from Putnam County it’s definitely crazy to think about,” Auberson said. “Being the first one sounds kind of daunting a little bit, but it just means I get to shine a light on Putnam County that hasn’t been shown before. I think it just shows that Putnam County has really been a place for me to grow.”

Auberson will serve a one-year term as the student board member. Auberson said she will be traveling to Nashville once a month for two-day meetings. Auberson filled out an application for the position and received support from Cookeville High School Principal Karen Trentham and Putnam County Director of Schools Corby King.