Many students are unaware that Arlington County has had a Student Advisory Board for years. It’s not a new initiative—it’s just been quietly working in the background, directed by the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. The board is made up of student leaders from across the county, each representing their grade and school. Together, they offer real insight into the challenges students face and help shape solutions that reflect lived experience, not just policy.

Two students from each grade and school gather monthly at the Arlington Career Center in the Commons, where we ask big questions, including: What matters to us? How can we, as a student body, take action? 

Meetings are held on the first Wednesday of every month, and representatives are chosen early in the school year. At this year’s launch at the Arlington Career Center on September 3, Lulia Petros and I were ready to speak up, listen deeply, and help build a stronger school community. 

It’s one of the few spaces where student voices can truly influence decisions—from mental health resources to school culture. By shining a light on this board, we can help more students feel seen, heard, and empowered.

At our first meeting, we took the time to get to know each other and reflect on our shared beliefs. We created personal “I believe…” statements and collective “We believe…” statements that captured our shared values. We also discussed our plans for officers, reviewing the roles of Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary. Then we broke into committees, where one issue stood out across the board: mental health. Every student agreed it’s a priority, and we’re committed to doing more than just talking—we are ready to make these goals a reality.

In October, we’ll welcome this year’s new members from across the county. Stay tuned for Chronicle updates on the issues and topics we’ll explore.