After a one-year reign, School Without Walls senior Renee Drumgold last week relinquished her title as student member on D.C.’s Board of Education to Cardozo High School junior Henry Antonio Moronta.

But she says she intends to still help maintain communication between D.C. public school administrators and students. As for her successor, Moronta, she joked, "I hope he can deal with the headaches."

"I just hope I’m able to get the students’ points across," said Moronta.

Moronta, a Reserve Officer Training Corps student and the first Hispanic elected to the position, said he wants to focus on efforts to improve restrooms and school lunches.

"The food that’s supposed to be hot is cold and most of the food is just not good," he said. Moronta continues Drumgold’s vision for better food in D.C. Public Schools.

"We sent out surveys to the schools and discovered the top concerns were a need for more equipment, better safety and (improved) food service," said Drumgold.

Drumgold then invited Superintendent Arlene Ackerman and other school administrators to a forum to discuss school food. As a result, Ackerman formed a task force on the issue. The task force continues to hold forums and has visited schools in Philadelphia as an example of how food service should be in D.C.’s schools.

As student board member, Drumgold attended board meetings and served on the Committee on Academics and Special Programs. The student board member must be in 10th or 11th grade and is nominated by a teacher or school administrator. Nominees then compete in a speech contest and are elected by student delegates from school councils citywide. Drumgold was permitted to vote on her school board committee but not at regular board meetings.

"Renee’s committee was very influential in finding out what the top (student) concerns were in the schools," said Nona Johnson, coordinator for student leader development for the public schools. "She was very successful in improving food service and safety.

"She definitely made a difference. She worked hard despite the fact that the board of education doesn’t seem as powerful as it was because of the Emergency Board of Trustees," said Johnson. "We’re proud of her."

Drumgold said she competed for the student board member position as a way to help improve her own school services. "My school needed more variety in its menu. Because most our school work is done outside the classroom, we usually end up eating off-campus," she said. "But I love that my school doesn’t let us sit in the classroom all day. When we go to exhibits and different events, it lets me see what I’m learning."

Drumgold said School Without Walls is an example of how D.C. public schools incorporate students’ experience outside the classroom. Many schools have adopted or are currently restructuring to a school-to-career format that is intended to help students focus on a career and give them a head start before entering college, the military, vocational school or work.

"Last summer I worked at DCTV (public access television channel 28) where I did everything from editing, engineering and productions," said Drumgold. "What I really liked was doing voiceovers."

Drumgold, who now studies broadcast journalism, hopes to attend either Howard University or the New York University of the Arts to major in communications. Drumgold said she hopes to work at DCTV again this summer and will also work at Superintendent Ackerman’s office.

"Ms. Ackerman and Ms. Brooks (deputy superintendent) have already ‘recruited’ me," she said.

Drumgold said she’s proud of D.C. public schools and agrees with the standard-based system that was recently instituted.

"It should have been implemented a long time ago," she said. "I think pressure must also be placed on the teachers. Some things are not going to change overnight."

She describes Superintendent Ackerman as a tough lady who is nice to work with. "She cares about kids and she shows it," said Drumgold.

Drumgold, who said her No. 1 inspiration is God, has also been a youth leader of Paramount Baptist Church in Southeast Washington and participates in her church’s dance ministry and choir.

As she reflected upon her year as student board member, Drumgold said it was difficult initially to balance being student board member with her church activities and adjusting to her first year at The School Without Walls in Northwest Washington.

"I was a little stressed out at first because they both were new to me," she said.

Drumgold said she thinks Moronta will be fine and the other board members will help him with his transition.

"I’m sure he’s not one to give up too soon. That’s my only pet peeve with people. I don’t like when they give up," she said.

Copyright 1998, The Common Denominator