As a high school sophomore, Greta Kelley learned the true meaning of the popular song lyrics: “Even when I lose, I’m winning.” When she lost the Student Council election that year, she felt she was losing her position as a school leader. “But in reality”, says Kelley, “that loss gave me time to listen…to ask questions that no one else was asking and to see leadership in a different way.”

When a change at William J. Palmer High School from a traditional schedule to a block schedule was met with dissent from students and teachers, Kelley says her curiosity about why the decision was made led her to found the Student Sounding Board. The board’s purpose is to respectfully incorporate student voices and growing ideas into administrative decisions. After six months of research, Kelley presented her findings to the school board and superintendent. Although the policy was not changed, her efforts resulted in opportunities to connect with district leaders.…