A recent Grade 8 graduate from Eastdale Public School is providing input to help shape the future of education in the province. Mandy Bailey is on the Education Minister's Student Advisory Council. Back in May, Bailey joined the group of student advisors to offer their ideas on how to improve the education system. Bailey tells Heart FM about the idea she brought to the table. "I'm a shy girl myself, and making more of the quieter students, encouraging them to speak up more about their ideas and what they have to say. They have a lot of great ideas that don't always get heard." The Education Ministry is doing more than just being a sounding board for these selected students, Bailey says one of the ideas was actually quickly implemented. "Grade 8's are allowed to start doing their volunteer hours in the summer, instead of starting when they are in Grade 9. Apparently people are having trouble graduating and getting their hours once they are in Grade 9. And so the students from the committee actually gave the idea, and they (Ministry) actually acted on it." Bailey admits being on the Council requires lots of meetings, but says she's enjoying making a difference. "It's fun, because it's something that matters to me. It's fun to be able to actually work and make that happen." Bailey will continue to speak up in the future. She'll be a part of a 4-day leadership conference in August, in Toronto.

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