Simcoe Composite Secondary School
2025-26 student trustees, from left to right, Harper Thompson, Ryleigh Staats and Prabhsidak Singh
Three new student leaders will take their seats at the boardroom table next year, each bringing the voices of their peers to represent and advocate for meaningful action. Members of the Student Senate recently elected Prabhsidak Singh to represent students in Brantford and Brant County, Harper Thompson to represent learners in Haldimand and Norfolk counties, and Ryleigh Staats, elected through a process of consensus-building to represent Indigenous students across the Grand Erie District School Board.
"Leadership should reflect the diversity of the students it represents, and more importantly, every student — regardless of their background — should feel that their voice is genuinely heard and valued at the board level," said Prabhsidak Singh, who is a student at Brantford Collegiate Institute and Vocational School. "My key priorities for the year ahead are improving student engagement, ensuring strong representation and advocating for cultural and religious inclusivity. When we learn from each other, lead with purpose and inspire change, we can create a school community where everyone thrives and succeeds."
Student trustees bring vital perspectives to discussions surrounding educational policies, school culture and student well-being, and Singh plans to draw on his own early educational experiences to inform his advocacy on behalf of learners. The multilinguist with extensive volunteer experience in his school and wider communities will bring his drive for positive change, representation and commitment to excellence to board-level decision-making.
"My main goal and focus for the year ahead is to ensure that student needs and mental health supports are prioritized, improving awareness of and accessibility to mental health resources for all students," said Harper Thompson, a student at Simcoe Composite School. "Every decision made in Grand Erie impacts students. It's vital that student input is provided, heard and considered, ensuring they are understood, accepted and supported in their schools."
Thompson says Grand Erie's vision — to learn, lead and inspire — is one she takes to heart. She hopes to show her fellow learners what's possible by setting high standards, overcoming challenges and not being afraid to seize opportunities. Her own inspiration to run for the role came from seeing what a previous student trustee was able to achieve, and she plans to carry that through as a positive change-maker next year.
Two years of strong student leadership, from left to right: Olivia Prince, Harper Thompson, Ryleigh Staats, Aidyn Hill, Prabhsidak Singh and Caitlyn Shields
"For me, the inspiration to run for student trustee comes from past and current generations in my family; past generations before me were residential school survivors who had to fight hard for me to have a voice now," said Ryleigh Staats, who is Haudenosaunee, Turtle clan, and a student at Delhi District Secondary School who plans to draw on this strong legacy and work ethic to advocate for and uplift the voices of Indigenous students across Grand Erie. "Being Indigenous, you don’t just endure generational trauma, you take that power and resilience with you every day."
Staats also draws on her experiences as a student athlete, seeing the parallels between sport and leadership, responsibility and optimism. She was elected by the United Indigenous Student Council through a process of consensus-building, which aims to reach holistic decisions through community values, traditional practices and a deep respect for the interconnectedness of individuals within that community.
The newly elected student trustees will begin their terms on August 1 when the current student trustees' terms end. Grand Erie looks forward to the continued collaboration, passion and dedication these student leaders bring.
