MONTAGUE — For the first time in almost 10 years, Montague city council has welcomed a student representative from Montague High School. Bailey Tallquist, a senior National Honor Society member, was elected and introduced in her new position at the last city council meeting Sept. 16.
“It’s an honor,” Tallquist said. “I didn’t know that we haven’t done this in a while. After I heard that, I thought ‘I can’t believe that’s me, bringing this back.’ I’m hoping that with me being part of starting it up again, that others after me will want to be part of it. Hopefully someone gets elected and nominated next year to do it, because I think it’s a great thing for students to be part of that council, as a way to represent our school and explain the stuff that’s going on. Not focusing on sports, but on our extracurricular activities and keeping the community informed.”
Tallquist was elected as president of NHS by her peers because “they knew she could hold the responsibility,” said NHS advisor and MHS social studies teacher Tyler Frank. Frank added that he selected her for the position of student representative of the city council because of her work ethic and outstanding leadership skills.
“Bailey is the kind of student who’s always impressed me,” said Frank. “I had her as a freshman and I have her now as a senior. You give her the parameters of what you want accomplished, whether it’s an assignment or project and without real encouragement or guidance, she can get it done. It’s refreshing to have a legitimate student leader and problem-solver.”
Frank was approached last school year by city clerk Kelly Markley, who has made it a recent goal to restart the student representative position as a part of her mission of expanding public education and knowledge on local government.
“I looked to our president, Bailey, who Mrs. Markley asked about last year and although Bailey was interested, it fell through due to timing,” Frank said. “Bailey’s the one we put forward because she’s a motivated individual. She’s really good at that and I think she’ll do a great job.”
City council members were enthusiastic about being more connected with MHS students, and learning more about activities and events at the high school because of Tallquist.
“I’m looking forward to giving my school a voice more,” said Tallquist. “Telling the council what’s going on in our school buildings, like with assemblies and homecoming, things like that.”
Frank and Tallquist are both excited for the opportunities and education this will bring her during her time as a student representative.
“She can take these skills and put them into a more real-world setting, like this with the city council that’s beyond the comforts of school,” Frank said. “Those skills she learns can be applied everywhere in life. Not just getting good grades and scores, and leading school clubs, but developing skills for the real world. I bet you she will do well in anything that she follows in that respect.”
