Sofia Tuttle, a junior at Rockdale Magnet School for Science and Technology (RMSST), has been named to the State Student Advisory Council by Georgia Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox.

“I am grateful for the opportunity and I'm proud to be representing Rockdale County High School and the Magnet School,” said Tuttle. “I'm looking forward to being able to discuss some ideas with Ms. Cox that could improve our schools.”

More than 550 students from 108 districts applied to be a member of the Student Advisory Council by submitting an application and answering several in-depth essay questions regarding their perspectives on improving public education. Only 53 were chosen.

“It was a difficult task," said Cox, referring to the process of determining the members. She went on to explain, “The Student Advisory Council is an invaluable resource to me…it gives me tremendous insight into how state policies and procedures are working in the classroom.”Tuttle is the second student from RMSST to be named to the Council. Peyton Fanning served in the in 2007-08. “We were so pleased to find out that Sofia was selected to represent our school and community on the State Superintendent’s Advisory Council,” said Principal Mary Ann Suddeth.

The Council meets three times a year to discuss topics that include: the school dropout rate, student leadership, communication/messaging, the Georgia graduation rule, testing, school climate, and career, technical, and agricultural education. Students may apply for the advisory council at the beginning of each school year by obtaining an application from their school or from the Georgia Department of Education Web site at http://public.doe.k12.ga.us/sup.aspx.