Schools
Introducing District 197 Student Representative Connor O'Leary
Patch invited the new student representative on the West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan School Board to tell us a little about himself.
The West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan School Board has selected a student voice to add a new dimension to school board discussions about .
Connor O'Leary, an incoming senior at , will serve as an ex-officio (non-voting) member of the board starting next fall. Mikaela Ziegler has been selected as an alternate.
O'Leary is welcome to attend board meetings during the summer if he chooses.
Find out what's happening in Mendota Heightswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Patch asked O'Leary a few questions to learn more about this incoming senior and why he wants to represent the student body on the board.
Name: Connor James O’Leary
Find out what's happening in Mendota Heightswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Age: 16, 17 on June 19
Grade: 11th
Elementary school and middle school attended: St. Joseph's School
Mendota Heights Patch: Why did you decide to apply for the position of student representative?
Connor James O’Leary: I had wanted to become a bigger part of our school’s decisions and I thought that this position would allow me to do just that.
Patch: What do you think you did right during the application and interview process?
O’Leary: I was very happy that I wore a tie that day. I also thought that it was important that I had a plan for involving students from all schools and previous interest in our school’s schedule.
Patch: Tell us a little bit about the classes you take and the activities you are involved in.
O’Leary: I take mostly advanced and AP classes at Sibley. This year I have taken three AP classes and hope to take four next year. I am involved in swimming during the winter and drama throughout the year. I also do math team and quidditch (new this year).
Patch: Which issues in the district are you particularly passionate about?
O’Leary: I am most concerned with our classes and our schedules. I want to make sure that future students coming to Sibley will have the same opportunities that I have had.
Patch: If you could make one change in the district, what would it be?
O’Leary: Well I think that our district is doing a fine job as is but I was always sad that Japanese is no longer offered at Sibley.
Patch: How would you describe your communication style?
O’Leary: Just like how poets use objects to represent ideas, I try to use examples to convey my points while communicating.
Patch: Any parting thoughts?
O’Leary: I am very thrilled to have this position and I look forward to being our district’s student representative!
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.