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Three Student Commissioners Take Their Seats to Represent Plainfield Students
PLAINFIELD, NJ – September 23, 2026 – When the Plainfield Board of Education discusses the policies and decisions that shape the student experience, three new voices will be at the table this school year.
Seniors Erika Vasquez of Pinnacle Academy High School, Karlens Phillipe of Plainfield Academy for the Arts and Advanced Studies (PAAAS), and Power Chiles of Plainfield High School were officially sworn in as Student Commissioners during the Plainfield Board of Education Business Meeting.
The three students will serve as ambassadors for their respective schools, bringing the experiences, ideas and concerns of their peers directly to the Board of Education. In their roles, they will listen to students, share their perspectives with district leadership and provide a student voice during conversations that help shape policies and decisions affecting students across Plainfield Public Schools.
For the new commissioners, having that opportunity carries both excitement and responsibility.
“Being a Student Commissioner this year is probably one of the best things that's happened,” said Vasquez. “It's truly an honor. I'm super excited. Sometimes students don't feel heard or seen, and I want to be that person who says, ‘I've got your back. You let me know, and I'll do what I can do.’”
Chiles said he is looking forward to becoming more involved in his school community and bringing another perspective to the table.
“Being a Student Commissioner is really such an honor,” said Chiles. “I'm ready to take part in my community, help better everybody and give a new perspective. I'm ready to help give a voice to the students and be part of this Board.”
For Phillipe, the opportunity is also about service.
“I'm really excited to help as many people as I can,” said Phillipe. “I want to do what I can for my friends, the community and everyone else out there. This is one of the best things that's happened this year, and I'm really excited to help.”
Before taking their seats at the Board table, the Student Commissioners participated in the National Student Board Member Association's (NSBMA) Student Trustee Action Readiness Training (START), a three-day national leadership experience designed specifically for incoming student board members.
Through the training, Vasquez, Phillipe and Chiles joined student leaders from across the country to learn more about board governance, district policy, student advocacy and effective representation. They participated in collaborative workshops, Council Group Sessions, developed policy proposals and practiced their skills through a simulated Board of Education meeting.
The experience gave the students an opportunity to learn alongside other student representatives while preparing them to bring the voices and perspectives of their peers into conversations at the governance level.
Acting Superintendent Elizabeth Filippatos, Ed.D. said creating opportunities for students to participate in district-level conversations gives leaders an important perspective while helping students develop their own leadership skills.
“I am incredibly proud of Erika, Karlens, and Power, and I am truly excited for the opportunity to work alongside them this year,” said Filippatos. “Our students experience our schools in ways that we, as adults and educators, simply cannot, and the perspective they bring is what makes the work we do meaningful. These three students will bring their own experiences, ideas, and voices to the table, while also helping us better understand the experiences of students across Plainfield.”
Board President Hanae M. Wyatt welcomed the three students to the Board and reminded them that their role is not simply to occupy a seat, but to use it on behalf of the students they now represent.
“Your perspective matters, and as students you matter most, and you represent your peers now. Never underestimate the power of speaking up, ask some difficult questions, or reminding the adults in this room, and in every room, how our decisions are experienced by the students we serve. Leave with courage, listen with purpose, and always remember that you have earned your seat at this table. We are proud to welcome you, excited to learn from you, and confident that you will represent your peers with distinction. This is your moment. Use your voice and make it count.”
Throughout the school year, Vasquez, Philippe and Chiles will serve as a direct connection between their peers and district leadership, bringing student perspectives from Plainfield's three high schools into conversations at the Board level.
For three seniors preparing for what comes next after high school, the experience will also give them an opportunity to see leadership, governance and decision-making from a different side of the table.
But perhaps their most important responsibility is the one they have already identified themselves. Listen to their peers and use their seat at the table to make sure students are heard.
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For more information on the Plainfield Public School District or this story, please contact the Division of Public Information and Communications at information@plainfield.k12.nj.us or by phone at, (908) 731-4442.