Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania State Board of Education welcomed two new student members at its summer meeting: Yadira Cupeles from the Lancaster School of Cosmetology and Therapeutic Bodywork, and Naina Bhatia from West Chester East High School.
“The inclusion of student voices on the State Board of Education provides Pennsylvania high school and college students with an opportunity to interact with board members and help make sure students are represented at the state level when education policies are being considered and implemented,” said Secretary of Education Dr. Khalid N. Mumin. “We applaud these students on their achievements, engagement, and participation, and we look forward to working closely with them as they serve alongside the Board over the next two years.”
Yadira Cupeles is a dedicated Cosmetologist, currently attending the Lancaster School of Cosmetology and Bodywork, and will be graduating this fall with a Cosmetology Teacher License. She has been the Lead Cosmetologist and Salon Owner at Cupeles Designs in Lebanon, PA since 2009, where she is responsible for cultivating a high-performing team of stylists, nail technicians, and support staff, managing salon operations, ensuring compliance with sanitation and safety regulations, and more. She is passionate about Pennsylvania’s success and recognition in the career and technical education (CTE) sector, and promoting postsecondary career and technical school options for students across the Commonwealth.
Naina Bhatia is a rising junior at West Chester East High School, and is co-founder and president of West Chester East Speech and Debate; president of the Class of 2026; co-founder of Made in Melton; volunteers with New Directions at Charles A. Melton Arts and Education Center; is a volunteer attendant with Good Fellowship Ambulance Center; and is part of the West Chester East House of Hope Planning Committee. She participated in the National Security Language Initiative for Youth Leadership summer program; Schools for Climate Action; West Chester Viking Coding Contest, American Computer Science League, and Advent of Code Competitions; Da Vinci Science Center WISE Forum and Young Women in Biology Conference; and has research experience with DECA, the National History Day Competition, the Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU) Language Forensics Competition, and has done independent research on the correlation between areas of lower socioeconomic status and infection of Toxoplasma Gondii.
“The Board sees tremendous value in creating opportunities for civic engagement for youth in Pennsylvania,” said Chair of the State Board of Education Karen Farmer White. “Adding student perspectives to our work enriches our deliberations on educational policies and ensures that students have a direct voice in issues that impact them.”
Student representation on the State Board of Education is made possible through a grant provided by Highmark, supporting opportunities for students in Pennsylvania to have a direct voice in helping to shape education policy.
Student members must attend and participate in board meetings, advise and consult with the board, and conduct outreach to confer with other students across the Commonwealth. The State Board of Education’s voting members – and four student representatives – convene every other month throughout the year to discuss and deliberate on education policies and procedures.