CCSD Names 2025-26 Student Delegates to the School Board

The Cherokee County School Board this week will recognize its new class of Student Delegates!

Student Delegates to the School Board serve for one school year to give input and feedback to the School Board and Superintendent of Schools.  This year’s Student Delegates are: Jacob Duncan of Cherokee High School; Joshua DeLima of Creekview High School; Addison Bishop of Etowah High School; Shannon Power of i-Grad Virtual Academy; Olivia Kennison of River Ridge High School; Lili DeFiore of Sequoyah High School; and Nathaneil Amakelew of Woodstock High School.  Congratulations to our Delegates and thank you to our School Board for its longtime support of this engagement opportunity!

The Delegates attend all School Board meetings as student representatives and regularly meet in work sessions with the Superintendent and senior staff to advise them on important issues.  New this school year, the Delegates will rotate through the opportunity to sit with the School Board at the dais during a work session and regular meeting.  Beginning in September, the Delegate in this seat will share the student perspective on an issue before the board.

Each school determines its own Delegate selection process; students interested in the opportunity are encouraged to speak with their principal.

Read their brief bios below to learn more about them:

Jacob Duncan of Cherokee High School

Athletics/Activities/Clubs: Swim and Dive (2024-25 Male Captain), Varsity Track and Field (2024-25 Male Throwing Captain), National Honor Society (President), Beta Club (President), HOSA Future Health Professionals (Vice President), Student Athlete Leadership Team (SALT), National English Honor Society, Interact Club, Student Government, Academic Bowl

Awards/Recognitions: American Legion Award, One Freedom Award, Academic Letter, Superintendent’s Key Scholar, three-year letter for Swim and Dive and one year for Track and Field

Community Service: Northside Hospital Volunteen (2025), Freedom Middle School Mentorship Program, Thanksgiving Basket Project (Liberty, Freedom, and Cherokee), Duncan Home Services pet-sitting business he started in fifth grade

Josh DeLima of Creekview High School

Athletics/Activities/Clubs: Varsity Track, Student Government, DECA, Model UN, Beta Club, Spanish National Honor Society, National Honor Society, Rho Kappa, Chick-fil-A Leadership Academy

Awards/Recognitions: Georgia Certificate of Merit, AP Scholar with Distinction, College Board Rural Area Recognition Program

Community Service: Volunteer for St. Michael the Archangel, Meals by Grace

Addison Bishop of Etowah High School

Athletics/Activities/Clubs: Varsity Cheerleading, Varsity Gymnastics, Student Government, National English Honor Society, LLS, FCA (Leadership Team)

Awards/Recognitions: AP Scholar with Distinction, Georgia Positive Athlete Top 7, All Region for Competition Cheerleading, MVP Cheerleader

Community Service: Volunteer for St. Peter Chanel Catholic Church’s SHINE program for children with special needs

Shannon Power of i-Grad Virtual Academy

Athletics/Activities/Clubs: Varsity Swim Team, Student Government, Environmental Club, dual enrolled at Reinhardt University, orthodontic practice summer intern, fluent in Spanish

Awards/Recognitions: Georgia State Merit Award

Community Service: Volunteers with St. Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church and food pantry

Olivia Kennison of River Ridge High School

Athletics/Activities/Clubs:  OLISA Children’s Charity (cofounder), Symphony Club (founder), violinist, artist, National Honor Society (President), Math Team, Math League, Mu Alpha Theta,  Beta Club, Tri M Honor Society, cross-fit athlete, Kennison Home Organizations Company (founder), tutor, dogsitter and babysitter

Awards/Recognitions: National Hispanic Recognition Program, AP Capstone - Research, Georgia Governor’s Honors Program - Math Semifinalist, AP Scholar with Distinction, Superintendent's Key Scholar - Tier 3, five-time District Honor Orchestra Violinist, Class of 2026 Georgia Certificate of Merit, Southern Star Music Festival Gold and Sweepstakes winner, Chalktoberfest featured artwork, Georgia PTA Reflections state award for Film, three-year letter for Orchestra, AP Scholarship Recipient, Academic Achievement Award, Academic Letter and Honor Roll

Community Service: School media center volunteer, St. Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church Adoration Guardian and Vacation Bible School crew leader, hospital mural painter

Lili DeFiore of Sequoyah High School

Athletics/Activities/Clubs: Beta Club, National Honor Society, Women in Stem, Student Government, French Club, CCSD Elementary After School Program worker

Awards/Recognitions: AP Scholar with Distinction, Key Scholar, Academic Letter, Service Letter, AP Chemistry Student of the Year

Community Service: Papayago Bird Rescue volunteer (since 2019)

Nathaneil Amakelew of Woodstock High School

Athletics/Activities/Clubs:  Student Government Association (Executive Board Public Relations Officer), Diversity Club (Vice President), National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, National English Honor Society

Awards/Recognitions: AP Scholar with Distinction, Superintendent’s Key Scholar, Academic Letter

Community Service: Volunteers through school clubs

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