The Gilbert Public Schools District has announced the members of its 2025-2026 Superintendent’s Student Senate. The Senate is composed of 13 high school students, each serving a two-year term as either a junior or returning senior, representing every high school in the district.
The Student Senate meets monthly with district leaders, including Superintendent Dr. Shane McCord, Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education Marcie Taylor, and Director of Career and Technical Education Doug Daley. While the first meeting took place at the district office, future meetings will rotate among the various high schools. At these meetings, student senators introduce their principals, provide campus tours, and present information about their schools.
These gatherings are designed to give students a direct voice in decisions affecting their education. In previous years, input from the Student Senate played a role in selecting Chromebooks for use across all GPS classrooms. The Technology Services Department sought feedback from senators by allowing them to test different laptop models before making a final decision.
In addition to their regular meetings, student senators are expected to attend at least one GPS Governing Board Meeting or GEF Business Leaders Breakfast each semester to broaden their understanding of district operations.
“Meeting with the Student Senators each month is the highlight of our jobs! These high school students are the best of the best…they make us smile and remind us of our purpose in the positions we hold at the district level. I think Dr. McCord and Mr. Daley would agree that these students bring us back to reality: the things and people that really matter in our schools. They are honest and direct about the District, yet they share their opinions respectfully. We love these kids and thank them for their important contribution to their schools and our District!”
The members of this year’s Superintendent’s Student Senate are:
Wyatt Rauch (Campo Verde High), Emma Watkins (Campo Verde High), Riley Lipton (Canyon Valley School), Scymone Wilcots (Desert Ridge High), Elena Warwick (Desert Ridge High), Mary Maguire (Gilbert Classical Academy), Carter Carmichael (Gilbert Classical Academy), Holli Fox (Gilbert High), Jaxsen Thompson (Gilbert High), Maizy Pulshiher (Highland High), Luke Young (Highland High), Johnna Smith (Mesquite High), and Tino Hernandez (Mesquite High).
