DDSB welcomes Student Trustees for 2023-24 School Year

The Durham District School Board is pleased to welcome three outstanding students who will serve as Student Trustees for the 2023-24 academic year.

The DDSB extends congratulations to Ben Cameron, Kayla Hoare, and Neha Kasoju for their successful election by the student body and commends them for their commitment to representing and bringing student voices to the Board of Trustees.

Cameron, a student from Dunbarton High School, continues his journey as a Student Trustee for a second term, representing Ajax/Pickering.

“It has been a pleasure to serve as a DDSB Student Trustee. I am grateful every day to have this opportunity to connect with and work on behalf of students,” Cameron said. “Over the past school year, I have seen the amazing things that Student Trustees can accomplish, and I am excited to work with Neha, Kayla, Trustees, and staff to continue advocating for students across the DDSB during my upcoming term.”

Expressing her enthusiasm for the role, Hoare, who attends Port Perry High School and represents Brock/Uxbridge/Scugog, said, “I am so grateful to have the opportunity to be the representative of the thousands of students within Brock, Scugog, and Uxbridge, and I will work hard to ensure that we as Student Trustees do what is best for our peers. 

“I am very passionate about learning all that I can from this position and the experience that comes with it, and I cannot wait to get started. I look forward to seeing what my fellow Trustees and I can accomplish in the next year. Together, we will be able to achieve our goals and dream bigger.”

Kasoju, who attends Donald A. Wilson Secondary School and represents Oshawa/Whitby, also joins the team of Student Trustees. Speaking about her election, Kasoju stated, “The significance of a Student Trustee is representing diverse student voices and having a platform to better the school community. I am so honoured and grateful for the support of my peers to serve as a Student Trustee.

“My goal is to foster an innovative and equitable learning environment, where every student feels empowered and has the opportunity to prosper. I aspire to leave a lasting positive impact on the DDSB and to inspire other students to do the same. I am looking forward to all the exciting things we will accomplish in the 2023-24 school year.”

Donna Edwards, Chair of the Board of Trustees, stated, “On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I am pleased to welcome and congratulate Ben, Kayla, and Neha for their outstanding achievement and their commitment to serving as advocates for their peers. We look forward to working collaboratively and know that the voices they represent, and their leadership, passion, and determination, will help the Board shape the educational experience for all students in the 2023-24 school year.”

A Student Trustee is a provincially mandated role designated to advocate for the voice of students in the publicly funded education system. Student Trustees serve as representatives of the student body, lead the Student Senate, and are members of the Ontario Student Trustees' Association.