By KENDRA PEEK

It’s not often that teenagers get the opportunity to voice their opinions of their school and education on a state level.

Wesley Wei, a junior at Boyle County High School, qualified for the 2015-2016 Next-Generation Student Council, and will get that chance beginning later this week.

The Next-Generation Student Council is comprised of students from across Kentucky. The teens, 11 in all in grades 10-12, meet once in person at the Kentucky Department of Education’s offices in Frankfort on Thursday.

They will also have virtual meetings three times during the school year, where they will discuss specific issues facing their respective schools and statewide issues in education. They serve as student advisers and their voices are included in policy recommendations made by the Kentucky Department of Education to the Kentucky Board of Education and the Kentucky General Assembly.

For Wei, the chance is an exciting one, especially as he is the first student in Boyle County Schools to be selected for the council.

“It’s a good feeling to know I can help our community and our schools grow. I can give back to the education system and help everyone,” he said.

Wei, who has spent most of his life in Boyle County, said he was a little nervous when he first submitted his application. But, his parents, Lucy Huang and Alex Wei, were supportive.

“When I got that letter, (my parents) were happy for me. They didn’t know much about it, I just told them I was applying and that there were very slim chances of getting in. I didn’t get my hopes up too much for it,” Wei said. “When I got my letter of acceptance, I was happy and ecstatic. My parents were, too.”

Besides tackling the student council, the teen is taking on four AP classes, calculus, language, statistics and U.S. history; one honors class, chemistry; and culinary.

“It’s been tough, but I’ve been finding a way to fit everything together. Hopefully, the Next-Generation Council will fit in the slot perfectly,” he said.

Culinary has been an interesting class for Wei, who said he never really cooked before the class.

“I thought it would be a good stress reliever at the beginning of the day. It’s been a fun experience so far. We’ve been catering and cooking various different foods. I’ve learned to like cooking,” said Wei. The class has made pastas, teriyaki chicken and more, he said.

It was, however, a surprise for his mom.

“Mom was happy I was doing that. She cooks all the time. Maybe I can take after her with that,” he said.

He also works with the school’s cross country team, as a student manager. Wei ran on the team in grades six through 11 and made the jump to manager for this season. In the spring, he said he plans to participate on the track and field team. While he isn’t a diehard runner, Wei said he enjoys the sport.

“Running is good to get your mind off stress. And you get to stay fit,” he said. While he hasn’t run any marathons, Wei said he has run in a few 5Ks.

While Next-Generation Student Council is a venture into school leadership, it’s not the first venture into leadership for Wei, who participates in the school’s Y-Club, a club that places students in mock government roles.

At the high school, Wei is the treasurer, but more importantly part of the officer team, which helps makes decisions about the club. He said he’s looking forward to the club’s state conferences, Kentucky Youth Assembly in the fall and Kentucky United Nations Assembly in the spring.

“Those are great,” he said.

Above all, the junior is already making plans for college.

“I’ve visited a few colleges, Vanderbilt University, Washington University in St. Louis, Rice University in Texas,” Wei said. He’s looking at those noted for being academically-challenging. He remains undecided on a career, but said he wants to go into the science field.