My name is Zané Dyches, and I am a 10th-grade student at Oologah High School. I have been involved in Youth Action for Health Leadership (YAHL) for one year, and through the Elevate Student Health campaign, I am passionate about advocating for student health in my school. Recently, I had the opportunity to attend a superintendent meeting where we discussed student health at our school and ways to improve it.

A superintendent meeting is a chance for school leaders to listen to concerns, review information, and make decisions that impact students and staff. Going into the meeting, I prepared by reviewing graphs and data that showed student health trends at our school, including the areas we are doing well in and the areas that need improvement. During the meeting, I presented numbers and visuals to explain issues related to student health and wellness, and I also shared ideas for how our school could better support students. We talked about ways to improve awareness, create healthier environments, and encourage positive habits among students. The superintendent listened closely, asked questions, and responded positively to the information we presented.

After the meeting, I felt confident, proud, and grateful that student voices were being taken seriously. This experience was important to me because it showed that youth can make a real impact when we come prepared and speak up. By using data and clear information, we were able to support the Elevate Student Health campaign and show why student wellness should be a priority. This work could lead to better policies, more support systems, and healthier choices for students in the future. I learned that change doesn’t happen overnight, but conversations like this are a strong first step. I hope this meeting leads to improvements in health education, school resources, and overall student well-being, making our school a healthier and more supportive place for everyone.

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By: Zané Dyches, Oologah High School