Livingston High Sophomore: I Will Be Voice of Student Body

Livingston High School sophomore Jeremy Knopf took his seat alongside the Board of Education for the first time Monday as he began a year-long stint as the student representative to the board.  

Knopf will sit with the board and superintendent for the next year as the high school's board liaison, where he will act as the voice of the student body. He was elected to the position by the high school’s student government, where he has been an active member for years, and will take over the position from outgoing board liaison Mo Pasternak. 

“It’s been a couple years since they [the board members] have walked the high school halls, and I feel that if they’re making such crucial decisions for the lives of the students, what better perspective [can they have] than someone going through it right now,” Knopf said.  

Knopf said he first became interested in the position when he attended a board meeting where his high school Chinese teacher Lucy Lee, who was named Essex County Teacher of the Year, was being honored. After that, he attended more meetings and decided the position was for him.  

“I enjoyed sitting through [the meetings],” said Knopf.

Knopf also takes part in various other other clubs and extra-curricular activities, particularly the Chinese Honor Society where he is a junior board member. Taking his fourth year of Chinese, Knopf said he has intentions of continuing to study the language throughout high school and college. 

Knopf said he will be the “voice” between the board and students, and offer his opinions to the board and superintendent about policy changes and agenda items, such as the recent change to the high school’s tardy and absence policy. 

The sophomore student, who will serve as board liaison throughout his junior year, said his “goal is to encompass every single student, not just me but the interests of the entire student body. ... If they [the board] ever has a question on how something is, hopefully I’ll be able to bring the best overall opinion from the student body.”