Sixteen public high school students have been named as new members of the 2026-2027 Commissioner’s Student Advisory Council (CSAC), joining nine returning members that include Prisha Shah of Ryle High School.
Established to gather student feedback on critical issues impacting students and schools, the council connects Kentucky students with Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) staff to develop ideas to strengthen student voice and transform education.
The group meets regularly with Commissioner of Education Robbie Fletcher, both in person and virtually, to discuss how decisions made at the state level are affecting students throughout Kentucky.
The newly selected members will serve for the 2026-2027 school year and, if eligible, will have the option to serve again in the fall of 2027.
The new members, listed with their current grades and high school, include:
• Mallehawar Jayaraman Suresh, 12th grade, Western Hills (Franklin County);
• Jeremiah Stephens, 12th grade, duPont Manual High School Jefferson County);
• Amelia Hassett, 12th grade, J. Graham Brown High School (Jefferson County);
• Ava Adame, 12th grade, McCracken County High School;
• Lina Berhane, 12th grade, Daviess County High School;
• Lindsey Wireman, 12th grade, Magoffin High School;
• Gracyn Hill, 12th grade, South Warren County High School;
• Rhianna Harrell, 12th grade, Christian County High School;
• Anikaa Sharma, 11th grade, Pikeville Independent High School;
• Noah Ward, 11th grade, Thomas Nelson High School (Nelson County);
• Saachi Thomas, 11th grade, Paul Laurence High School (Fayette County);
• Colin Gearhart, 11th grade, Floyd Central High School (Floyd County);
• Ava June Tackett, 11th grade, Johnson County High School;
• Ellie Gallager, 11th grade, Bracken County High School;
• Farrahlauren Terrado, 10th grade, Central Hardin High School (Hardin County); and
• Ezra Anglin, 10th grade, Lafayette High School (Fayette County).
The Kentucky high school student who will serve as the non-voting member of the Kentucky Board of Education (KBE) will be invited to have a seat on the council. That student will be announced prior to the KBE meeting in August.
The returning CSAC members, with their current grades and high schools, include:
• Tejas Basneth,12th grade, Paul Laurence Dunbar High School;
• Savannah Brock, 12th grade, Kentucky School for the Deaf;
• Sophie Johnston, 12th grade, Morgan County High School;
• Charlie Kinkade, 12th grade, Danville High School (Boyle County);
• Tara Rakesh, 12th grade, Randall K. Cooper High School (Union County);
• Harper Blake, 12th grade, Marion County High School;
• Delanie Crump,11th grade, Boyd County High School;
• Vivian Fox, 11th grade, Elizabethtown High School (Hardin County); and
• Prisha Shah, 11th grade, Larry A. Ryle High School (Boone County).
Approximately 70 students applied for a spot on the 2026-2027 Commissioner’s Student Advisory Council.
Membership includes positions from each of the Kentucky Supreme Court districts and student members enrolled in career and technical education pathways.