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On NEK Day at the Vermont State House, three Burke Town School students had the opportunity to represent their classmates, their school, and the broader Northeast Kingdom community by sharing student testimony with the House Education Committee. The visit was both a celebration of our region and a meaningful civic experience that elevated student voices in state-level education conversations.

Student Representatives

The following 8th-grade students from Burke Town School were selected by their classmates to participate:

• Colby Barrett
• Lenore Steen
• Owen Tyburski

Their participation reflected not only their individual leadership, but also the collective input of their entire class.

Purpose of the Visit

The students were invited to attend NEK Day, an annual event at the State House designed to:

• Celebrate the Northeast Kingdom
• Strengthen connections across the region
• Advocate for NEK priorities
• Highlight opportunities and challenges unique to rural communities

As part of the day, students were asked to share testimony with the House Education Committee, offering a firsthand perspective on what it means to be a student in the Northeast Kingdom.

Preparing Student Testimony

Preparation for the visit was a true class-wide effort. The three students were elected by their peers to serve as representatives. The entire class collaborated by contributing ideas and responses to guiding prompts, including:

• How is your school important to your community?
• What activities and field trips have you enjoyed, and why?
• Why do you value the rural character of your school?
• What are your school’s infrastructure needs?
• Why is it important for voters to pass the school budget?

Using this collective input, Colby, Lenore, and Owen selected key themes, added their own reflections, and worked closely with their teacher to compose, revise, and rehearse their testimonies.

Student Perspectives from the Northeast Kingdom

One key message the students emphasized was that student experiences in the Northeast Kingdom are unique. Rural geography creates challenges that are not always visible at the state level, including:

• Fewer enrichment opportunities due to distance
• Budget limitations
• Staffing constraints

At the same time, students highlighted the deep value of their education—both academic and experiential—and the strong sense of community that defines Burke Town School.

Why Student Voices Matter

During the testimony, legislators showed clear interest in engaging directly with the students. Their questions and conversations reinforced the importance of hearing from those most impacted by education policy.

Student perspectives help lawmakers better understand how legislation translates into daily experiences in classrooms, hallways, and school communities—particularly in rural regions like the Northeast Kingdom.

A Moment of Pride

Bringing students to the State House was an honor and a proud moment for the Burke Town School community. The students demonstrated remarkable maturity, confidence, and thoughtfulness, striking a powerful balance between expressing pride in their school and advocating for improvements to aging infrastructure.

Their voices were clear, informed, and impactful—an excellent example of civic engagement in action.

Learn More

• Student Testimonies: Available to read here.
• Photos from NEK Day: Click to view highlights from the visit in the BTS Middle School slideshow.

Both ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ School District and Burke Town School are proud of Colby, Lenore, and Owen for representing their classmates and community with such integrity and purpose. Their participation in NEK Day reminds us that student voices belong at every table—especially where decisions about education are made.