GLASGOW, Ky. — A Glasgow High School student will help represent Kentucky’s public school students at the state level during the coming year.

Trace Brooking, a junior at Glasgow High School, has been selected as the non-voting student member of the Kentucky Board of Education. His one-year term began July 1 and runs through June 30, 2027.

Brooking said he applied for the position because he believes students should have a greater voice in decisions that affect their education.

“I'm big on civil representation, especially in legislation and policies that affect us,” Brooking said. “It's really important to give young people a voice as they're the generations that are going to follow and be affected.”

As the board’s student member, Brooking said he plans to visit schools and use social media to gather feedback from students, teachers, principals and superintendents across the state.

“I plan to do a lot of outreach, maybe go to schools, (post things on) social media like videos, pictures, and I just want to let students know that this is here; this is something that you can reach out to me for. It's something I want to hear your voice and bring that voice to the board,” he said.

Brooking said his interest in government began in eighth grade as he followed national politics and the United Nations. He said his AP Seminar teacher, Jaime McMillan, encouraged him to pursue the position on the state board.

Earlier this summer, Brooking traveled to Washington, D.C., through a Foundation for Rural Services scholarship. During the four-day program, he joined 97 students from across the country in discussions with members of Congress and officials from the Federal Communications Commission about ways to strengthen rural communities.

Kentucky Commissioner of Education Robbie Fletcher welcomed Brooking to the board.

“Students are at the heart of every decision we make in education, and student voice strengthens our work and keeps our focus where it belongs – on Kentucky’s learners,” Fletcher said. “I look forward to working alongside Trace as he serves on and provides valuable perspectives to the state board of education in the year ahead.”

At Glasgow High, Brooking serves on the student advisory board and participates in speech and debate, the academic team’s writing competition, tennis and cross country. He said he is especially proud of maintaining straight A’s.

Outside of school, Brooking works as a barista, plays pickleball and is training for a marathon this fall. He also has been active in local civic affairs, attending several Cave City City Council meetings to speak against a proposed data center.

In addition to serving on the Kentucky Board of Education, Brooking will participate in the Commissioner’s Student Advisory Council.

After graduating from high school, Brooking said he hopes to attend law school and pursue a career in politics, with the goal of one day serving as a state or federal lawmaker. He has expressed interest in attending Duke University.