Watford City Senior Goes to Washington; Touts State Ed Program

Watford City, ND (KEYZ)  Seventeen-year-old Watford City High School Senior Gracie Johnsrud is headed to Washington as part of State School's Superintendent, Kirsten Baesler's Student Cabinet. Johnsrud was beside herself with excitement, to be one of the few to address an educational legislative conference.

"I am so excited about this opportunity!  It felt really good that Kirsten recognized that in me and wanted to have my voice heard in Washington," Johnsrud tells News Radio.
Gracie is one of 18 students in the program incorporating the thoughts and ideas of young people into the North Dakota school campuses and curriculum.

"I have learned so much about our state education system and what they are doing to try and help local schools.  And I have also brought a lot of the things that I have learned at the cabinet back to my  home town and that has been so excellent and amazing and we have used a lot of the things that I have brought back in our school," she says.

Gracie is full of energy and says she likes to motivate the staff and administration at Watford City High School, to check out fresh new ways of instruction and problem solving.

"So I, weaseled my way into one of the school's committees, one that works toward making our school better, and on that committee we talk about what students need and what educators can do.  That has really helped because in Watford City we have such a great influx of people that a lot of things are very chaotic and so some times it's good to have the student input because sometimes, there is a disconnect between what the students need and what the educators are doing," says Johnsrud.

Gracie's position on Baesler's Student Cabinet suits her well considering her future plans.  Gracie tells us she would like to study elementary education in college and then pursue a masters in school counseling.  Given her level of confidence and care, one can not help but think how fortunate her future charges will be as she advances in her career.

She addresses the committee Monday April 8th in Washington DC.