State Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox is looking for about three dozen

of Georgia's best and brightest high schoolers to serve on her 2004-05

Student Advisory Council.

Cox, a Peachtree City resident and former Fayette County teacher, founded

the group last year to find out how decisions made at the state level affect

students across Georgia. Council members act as liaisons on important issues

such as testing and school climate, according to a press release from the

Department of Education (DOE).

Last year, two Sandy Creek High students -�Megan Smelley and Kamila

Triche - were the lone Fayette representatives serving on the 35-student

council.

"I am extremely pleased with the success of last year's inaugural council

and am anxiously waiting to get started again," Cox said. "This

group truly serves as an advisory panel that helps the Georgia Department

of Eaducation to make sound policy decisions."

The council will meet with Cox four times a year, and students are expected

to return to their hometowns across the state to relay news concerning important

education issues.

"This group is very important to my administration," Cox said. "Students

are what the business of education is all about and I feel that it is important

for their voices to be heard."

According to the DOE, the council is open to all students regardless of

sex, race, grade level or academic standing. All past Student Advisory members

are eligible and must reapply for the 2004-2005 council.

Cox is looking for "well-rounded and involved students" to be

a part of the council, according to the press release.

Those interested must be committed to attending all meetings held throughout

the school year.

The deadline for applying to the council is Sept. 15. Applications are available

online at the DOE website at www.gadoe.org.