Centre High School junior Jacob Jirak recently traveled to Topeka to speak to the Kansas State Board of Education. It was the first time a student from Centre visited with the state board for more than a decade. Jirak received an invitation from Alexa Posny, director, after she learned from Jerri Kemble, superintendent he had taken first place honors in a national competition. ?We were impressed with Jacob,? said Janet Waugh of Kansas City and state board of education chair. ?Not only was Jacob very articulate, but his presentation was delivered quite well, and he appeared to be very confident.? Waugh said Jirak is one of those students who they will be hearing more about in the years to come. ?I would also like to commend his parents and teachers for being such positive role models,? she said. ?At times, serving on our board can be really challenging; however, students like Jacob make all those challenges worthwhile.?
