The group is called Centering Youth Voices, and if ever a name perfectly captured a purpose, this is it.

An idea crafted by Superintendent of Schools Dr. Evonne Alvarez and implemented by her and Robert Bishop, interim executive director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for Lynn Public Schools, Centering Youth Voices is designed to give students a seat at a table where meaningful discussion will take place and action will result.

“It’s about including students’ voices in decision-making,” said Alvarez, who has led the school district since last summer. “That is critical to how we continue to shape the student experience and what we do at LPS.”

Students at the five high schools – Classical, English, Tech, Fecteau-Leary and Frederick Douglass Collegiate Academy – were invited to apply for the advisory group and 10 were selected. They will meet regularly with the superintendent in person, with Zoom gatherings in between. The primary goal, according to Alvarez and Bishop, is for students to be able to candidly express what they see as important in all aspects of their educational experience.

“We can paint a broad stroke of belonging (for students), but this is backing it up with action,” Bishop said. “This isn’t just a grand idea. It starts with what kids are thinking, what matters to them the most and brings them to the table in their space.”

The students decide the topics they want to discuss with the superintendent. At the first meeting, which was held in late January, it was school safety.

“They shared a lot,” Alvarez said. “They talked about why they want to be part of change.”

Two of the members of Centering Youth Voices said they take seriously the role of bringing forward issues and concerns felt by them and their fellow students.

“It’s important to have student voices impacting our future,” said Javier Patricio Santo, senior class president at Lynn English. “I’m so happy they created a group like this. It felt like a call to action.”

Genesis Castro, a freshman at Frederick Douglass Collegiate Academy, located at North Shore Community College, said while there are other student groups, the talk does not always turn into action. This group feels different.

“This group is so important to elevate students’ voices,” said Castro, who was Lynn’s representative on Project 351, a statewide service initiative with one student from each of the cities and towns in the Commonwealth. “This is a good forum for what we want in our education.”

Santo said it is important for the Centering Youth Voices members to bring the discussion topics back to their respective schools and continue the dialogue. “The conversations we have don’t end at the meetings,” he said. “We will take them back to our friends and peers. We want to create a more inclusive student environment.”

Other topics that will be on the list for discussion include curriculum inequality and school tardiness and detention.

Both students were asked what has to happen in order for Centering Youth Voices to be considered a successful endeavor.

“We will be able to deem the program a success once we see change in place,” Santo said. “It won’t be instantaneous. As we see a move toward change, that will show us the success of the program.”

Castro gave a similar answer.

“Success will be ideas being put into action,” she said, “and when students say they are happy to go to school and they feel comfortable there. It starts with this.”

Alvarez said the work of Centering Youth Voices will have a positive long-term effect on Lynn students.

“These students will provide feedback on their student experience and future innovative programming at our high schools,” she said. “Their voice and their experiences will shape the future of LPS.”

In addition to Santo and Castro, the Centering Youth Voices group includes: Awan Awan, Lynn Tech; Gianah Cowan, Classical; Boo Disaia, Classical; Cassidy Galdamez Garcia, Lynn Tech; Maryelys Villegas Lopez, Fecteau-Leary; Annah Malima, Classical; Rachel Villanueva Martinez, English; and Janah Rojas, English.

LPS teachers Alan Bercy and Rathanak Pres, the LPS Staff of Color Affinity Group leaders, have partnered with the Department of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in mentoring these students.