Hannah Nguyen, a rising junior at John Overton High School, will be the next student member of the MNPS Board of Education. 
Nguyen (pronounced Win) was appointed after selection committee members reviewed applications and interviewed rising juniors from across the district for the position. She will join Christine Tran, a rising senior at James Lawson High School, in representing MNPS’s more than 80,000 students in 2024-25 and will succeed Alayna Mitchell, who graduated this month from Hillsboro High School.
During her first two years of high school, Nguyen, who will serve a two-year term on the Board until she graduates in 2026, has been an award-winning delegate to Youth in Government and Model United Nations conferences; played varsity girls’ volleyball; coached boys’ volleyball while continuing to work to make it a TSSAA-sanctioned high school sport; served as an Overton academy ambassador; and participated in DECA, Beta Club, Debate, and the Interdisciplinary Science and Research program, a joint initiative between MNPS and Vanderbilt University.
“I am honored and elated to join the board as your junior Student Board Member,” Nguyen said. “I look forward to bringing my unique perspective and making student voice not just heard but valued.”
The Board of Education started appointing student members again in 2021-22. Student board members hold non-voting positions but can weigh in during Board discussions and debates. Nguyen’s first meeting will be in September.
Board Member Cheryl Mayes led the selection committee, which ultimately interviewed five finalists before selecting Nguyen.
“Following a rigorous selection process involving current school board members and community representatives, the selection committee unanimously agreed that Hannah would be the ideal fit for the role,” Mayes said. “This decision was grounded in her exceptional qualifications and her strong commitment to developing policies that positively impact all MNPS students.
“Moreover, Hannah's unique cultural background positions her as an excellent advocate for underserved students. She is dedicated to representing the experiences of all students, especially those from immigrant families.”
Director of Schools Dr. Adrienne Battle said she’s looking forward to working with Nguyen.
“I’m excited to have the opportunity to work with Hannah over the next two years,” Dr. Battle said. “I appreciate all the students who stepped up and applied for this important position to represent student voice across the district, and I know they’ll join Hannah in continuing to contribute to and help lead their school communities.”