News Photo by Julie Goldberg Hillman Community Schools Superintendent Carl Seiter talks Wednesday with Hillman High School senior Trinity Pickelhaupt. Pickelhaupt is a student liaison to the district’s Board of Education.

HILLMAN — Hillman High School senior Trinity Pickelhaupt offers a student voice to the Hillman Community Schools Board of Education.

Pickelhaupt, a non-voting student liaison to the board, has worked for the past year with the board to bring different ideas for the board to consider.

“It’s really nice to feel that you can represent your school and you can represent the students,” Pickelhaupt said.

Superintendent Carl Seiter said Pickelhaupt has been an excellent addition to the board.

“I think that’s what the board’s goal was, was to get somebody that’s articulate enough to express student thoughts and concerns,” Seiter said. “They were really interested in gaining a student input on issues and she definitely brings that to the table.”

An art club is in the works to start in the 2020-21 school year, thanks to Pickelhaupt.

Seiter said having an art club or an art class is a need he’s seen since he became superintendent in July 2017.

The district doesn’t have funding for an art class, so an art club is something the district can provide to students without spending money.

“I think her idea of doing an art club is a way to get our students that art experience without the full-blown cost of trying to find an art teacher,” Seiter said.

Pickelhaupt said she wants to complete fundraisers this school year for the art club, including making and selling T-shirts. She also wants to set up a hot chocolate station where students can buy hot chocolate at the school.

Another thing Pickelhaupt wants to start is a secret valentine for Valentine’s Day, a program through which students can send a flower, bear, or chocolate to someone else.

The board meets once a month, so it’s not hard for Pickelhaupt to fit the meeting into her schedule.

“I was very nervous,” she said. “I didn’t know what to expect. I was like, ‘I have to be super formal, I have to wear nice clothing.’ Now, I just come in in my sweatpants. Eventually, I felt warmed up to it very quickly and I realized that I don’t have to be super official, I can just take it easy.”

Something Pickelhaupt is working on is finding a student to take her spot next year after she graduates. She thinks she found a student who can take the role.

“I need them to carry the torch of the art club, but I think I’ll have them attend one of our board meetings soon and get a feel of what it’s like while I’m there still,” she said.

Seiter and Hillman High Principal Bill Lake have helped Pickelhaupt while she’s served with the board.

“They’re really helpful,” Pickelhaupt said. “I can rely on them if I need any sort of advice or help (and they’re) just very easygoing.”

Pickelhaupt said interacting with the board has been a fun experience. She said they speak what’s on their mind.

“It’s always very positive and meant for the school,” she said.

Julie Goldberg can be reached at 989-358-5688 or jgoldberg@thealpenanews.com. Follow her on Twitter @jkgoldberg12.