In addition to the three new school board members recently elected by the town, the Scarborough Board of Education welcomed two high school students as non-voting members of the board Thursday. Senior Kat McDonald will be joining the board until she graduates in June and junior Jeremy Carter has signed up for a two-year term. The two students are already heavily involved in the school – both are vice presidents of their respective classes and members of the student council. Before their first meeting Thursday, McDonald and Carter sat down with The Current to talk about why they want to serve on the board, what their plans are for the future and who would play them in the movies of their lives.

Q: Why did you decide to run for the school board?

McDonald: I just think it’s a great opportunity for the school to have students on the board.

Carter: I think the board has been lacking student voices for a while, especially considering how much they do directly affects us, whether it’s buying a new instrument or hiring a new coach for a sports team.

Q: Are there specific school issues that you are particularly concerned about?

Carter: Not yet. I think it will take a few meetings to really figure out what’s going on. I’m sure once I get my opinion, it’s going to be a strong one.

McDonald: Yeah, not specifically, just to make sure the students get what’s best for them.

Q: What do you think as students you can bring to the school board?

McDonald: A modern opinion.

Carter: They don’t deal with high school students on a day to day basis. We’re right on the inside.

McDonald: Literally.

Q: What activities are you already involved in at the high school?

McDonald: We’re both extremely active with our school. We’re both vice presidents of our classes.

Carter: We’re both on the Scarborough chapter of the Dollars for Scholars program.

McDonald: I’m vice president of the band. I play the clarinet. I also play field hockey and I’m the captain of the tennis team. We’re both members of the student council.

Carter: I’m secretary of the Key Club. I’m on the speech and debate team and Maine Model United Nations. I’m also on the Seniors Programming Advisory Board. We’re both in the National Honor Society.

Q: What drives you to be so active in your school and community?

McDonald: It keeps me sane.

Carter: I wouldn’t feel right doing anything different.

McDonald: A day I don’t spend 12 hours at the school feels like a boring day, an empty day. Tomorrow morning I’m coming in at 6:30 for jazz band.

Q: What are your plans for after high school?

McDonald: I hope to study gerentology. I hope to manage a senior retirement community. Currently, I work at Piper Shores. I just have a soft spot for elders.

Carter: I’d also like to go to college to study political science or law and then go to law school.

McDonald: I’d hire him as my lawyer.

Q: Do you think you will continue to serve your community?

McDonald: I would definitely like to continue, probably on the school board.

Carter: I’m interested in politics. I’d could see myself on school boards or town councils.

McDonald: Maybe governor – for him. Though I also wanted to be Olympia Snowe. She spoke at Girls’ State. It was cool.

Q: Do you think you will end up staying in Scarborough?

McDonald: I like Scarborough. I think I’ll stay here.

Carter: I’ll leave Maine for college, but I could definitely see myself coming back here.

Q: If there was a movie of your life, what would it be called and what actor would you want to play you?

McDonald: Sleepless in Scarborough. I would want Sandra Bullock to play me. She’s my favorite.

Carter: Mission Impossible: I don’t think so. That’s lame. You don’t have to print that. Jim Carey could play me. I think that would be good.

High school students Kat McDonald and Jeremy Carter are the two newest members of the Scarborough Board of Education. McDonald, a senior, will serve until June and junior Carter will sit on the board for a two-year term.