A Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) selection committee chose rising Martin Luther King Jr. Academic Magnet High School junior Ava Dakash to be the next student member of the district’s Board of Education.¶
A district announcement said committee members appointed Dakash after reviewing more than 20 applications from across MNPS. She will join John Overton High School rising senior Hannah Nguyen as a non-voting members representing the district’s more than 81,000 students next school year.¶
“I believe every student deserves a voice in decisions that impact our lives,” wrote Dakash in her application. “As my goal is to be an attorney, I love and know the importance of representation and advocacy of others.”¶
The MNPS announcement said Dakash has served as the publicity manager for the National French Honor Society at MLK, led civic engagement projects through the Rhizome Civic Service Fellowship, and served as a Senate delegate at the Youth in Government Capitol Conference. She is also a member of the National Beta Club and enjoys crocheting and playing badminton in her free time.¶
District 6 Board Member Cheryl Mayes led the selection committee, which interviewed seven finalists before selecting Dakash.¶
“While we were fortunate to have several outstanding student applicants, Ava stood out as the best candidate,” said Mayes. “Her leadership potential, thoughtful insights, and passion for serving her peers were all evident and inspiring.”¶
MNPS began appointing student members again during the 2021-22 school year. A newly passed state law will require other districts to follow and create a policy for a non-voting student school board member.¶
Dakash’s first meeting will be in August. She succeeds Christine Tran, who graduated in May from James Lawson High School.¶
