Via Community News Service, a University of Vermont journalism internship, on assignment for the Winooski News
Emily Bowers, a 28-year-old who grew up in the current age of education, was eager to throw her hat into the ring for the Winooski School Board trustee position.
Bowers secured her victory on Town Meeting Day with just over 50% of the vote, in a tally of 374 to 369 with 9 write-in votes. Bowers plans to prioritize equity for students, bridging the gap between the younger generations of students and decision makers for the district.
“We grew up in the age of school shooters and advanced technologies,” Bowers said. “And while I graduated college before COVID, I have friends who were first-year teachers in 2020, and I watched them struggle to adapt to this, like, whole new world none of us really were prepared for.”
Bowers, who had siblings in elementary school during the peak of the pandemic, said she understands how to adhere to the needs of Generation Alpha students.
“I can see education has changed so much since I was even in school, but so much of what they go through is still the same that I went through,” she said.
Serving as the Chair of the Board of Civil Authority, Bowers currently works as a Justice of the Peace, assisting with elections, tax abatement and appeals and marriages in the city. Only a Winooski resident since 2022, she has made an effort to make change in the community.
“The best way to get involved and to make positive change is to just be there and just show up and get your hands on these policies and boards and things like that,” she said.
Fighting for the same school board spot was Kate Stattel, a counselor and small business owner of her own private practice. Her campaign focused on mental health resources and emphasized the sanctuary school movement in Winooski.
“Anything I can do to put my thumb on the scale for good,” Stattel said, in regards to her campaign.
Stattel has a child in the Winooski school system and has lived in the city for nearly 10 years. Stattel is very familiar with the school district and the community, especially as a native Vermonter.
“I have a lot of experience in life and in this world,” Stattel said.“I am very connected to the school and to the community. I am not interested in using this position as some kind of ambitious stepping stone to other political aspirations. I’m really happy to be here and stay here.”
After Kate Lapp cast a vote for Emily Bowers, her friend and former colleague, she explained why she thought Bowers was the best candidate for students such as herself.
“I know her commitment to disability rights, especially in schools, and that is something that’s really impactful to me as a kid who grew up on a 504 plan,” Lapp said.
Student and staff equity was a driving hope behind Bowers’ campaign.
“I’m a big believer in the idea that no two students are the same, no two teachers are the same, and it is difficult when there is just kind of a one-size-fits-all ideal,” Bowers said.
Liam Malone, with the company of their young child, cast their vote for Kate Stattel. As a parent and member of the LGBTQ+ community, Malone identified with Stattel’s approach to social advocacy in the city.
“We are a queer family, and so when we’re looking at systems of oppression and protecting vulnerable populations, we are just on edge and trying to show up in as many ways as we can,” Malone said.
Particularly, Stattel’s advocacy for sanctuary schools captured Malone’s support.
“I believe that every student, regardless of their citizenship status, should feel safe and protected so that they’re able to learn in an environment that has their back,” they said.
In Bowers’ candidate forum, she described her dislike of the following saying: the younger generations will save us. Moving into this role, she hopes to cultivate an environment for Winooski students where they can grow without pressure.
“We just care about our people so deeply. And I think that, you know, in order to keep that up, we need people on the board who make that ideal of just protecting every single person in our community with everything we have,” she said.