MARGARETVILLE — At its March 18 meeting, the Margaretville Central School District Board of Education proudly appointed LilliAnn VanBenschoten and Mackenzie Hubbell to serve as the district’s ex-officio student board members throughout 2026–27 school year.
The two students will begin a three-month transition period immediately, working alongside current student board representative Alani Mendez as they prepare for increasing responsibilities. The transition will allow them to become familiar with the board’s work and begin sharing perspectives from their peers.
LilliAnn VanBenschoten and Mackenzie Hubbell are outstanding members of the MCS student body who consistently demonstrate dedication, leadership, and a strong commitment to both their academics and their school community. As honor students and active participants in both the arts and athletics, they each contribute meaningfully to student life and set a positive example for their peers.
Mackenzie serves as the Sophomore Class President, a role that highlights her leadership and ability to work collaboratively with both students and faculty. She is a dedicated student athlete and is actively involved in OVA, Art Club, chorus, and band. Her willingness to take on multiple responsibilities while maintaining strong academic performance speaks to her motivation, organization, and school spirit.
LilliAnn is equally engaged, balancing her academic success with a wide range of extracurricular involvement. She participates in student senate, chorus, FCCLA, and Art Club, and has also represented the school at the Fortissimo event. She has further distinguished herself as a state-level officer in FCCLA, demonstrating leadership and commitment beyond the local level. LilliAnn’s thoughtful participation and creative interests enrich the school community and reflect her well-rounded character.
“We are excited to welcome LilliAnn and Mackenzie to the board,” said Board President Doris Warner. “Our students bring important insight into the experiences of their peers, and their voices help us better understand the needs of our school community. We look forward to working with them and hearing their ideas in the months ahead.”
Student representation on boards of education is part of a statewide effort to strengthen student voice in school governance. Beginning July 1, 2025, New York State law requires school districts with a high school, as well as Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES), to include at least one non-voting student member on their Board of Education. The role helps create meaningful connections between students and district leadership, ensuring that student perspectives are heard and considered.
By participating in public board meetings, Hubbell and VanBenschoten will help strengthen the connection between the student body and district leadership, bringing student perspectives into conversations that shape the future of the Margaretville Central School District.