Oyster River Middle School student Noah Sanders has been sworn in as a member of 2024 New Hampshire’s Kid Governor Executive Council. Front row, from left, Cambrie, Jackson, Noah, and Madelyn Sanders; back row, Fifth Grade Teacher Diana Pelletier, mother Astrid Sanders, father Steve Sanders, Sen. Rebecca Perkins Kwoka, and Superintendent James C. Morse, Sr. (Photo Courtesy Oyster River Cooperative School District) 
Oyster River Middle School fifth-grader Noah Sanders and Gov. Chris Sununu during the 2024 New Hampshire’s Kid Governor inauguration ceremony on Jan. 9. (Photo courtesy the Sanders Family) 
Oyster River Middle School fifth-grader Noah Sanders accepts his certificate of recognition as a 2024 New Hampshire’s Kid Executive Councilor. (Photo courtesy Oyster River Cooperative School District) 
Parker Fleming, Levi Wilson, Jack Rugg, Eleanore Lively, Noah Sanders, Zoey Hill and Hattie Hammill at the New Hampshire State House on Jan. 9. (Photo courtesy Oyster River Cooperative School District)
DURHAM — Principal Bill Sullivan is pleased to share that Oyster River Middle School student Noah Sanders has been sworn in as a member 2024 New Hampshire’s Kid Executive Council.
On Tuesday, Jan. 9, Sanders and his family attended the 2024 NH Kid Governor inauguration ceremony at the State House in Concord.
This year, more than 2,000 fifth-graders participated in the NH Kid Governor program, which teaches students about civics and democracy and encourages participation as a global citizen.
Twenty students were nominated by their schools to be considered as candidates, with Sanders chosen as one of eight finalists. Other 2024 platforms focused on issues such as increasing classroom funding, childhood hunger, animal abuse, littering, kindness and inclusion, and mental health.
Sanders’ platform focused on alleviating homelessness. In his campaign video, he outlined a three-point plan of creating food pantry collection areas in each school, fundraising to purchase toiletries and other necessities, and speaking at schools across New Hampshire to encourage development of local action plans.
“This program truly engages students in the democratic process,” said Pelletier. “It’s civic education at its finest and empowers fifth-graders to feel they have a voice in what matters in our communities.”
The Kid Executive Council includes all final candidates in the yearly election, who counsel the Kid Governor through their term. The Council meets to discuss how they can support the Kid Governor’s campaign initiatives in their own communities and raise awareness of the Kid Governor’s platform across the state.
“I felt really excited at the inauguration to be working with Ellie and the other Executive Council members on the problems that we feel passionate towards,” Noah said.
During the ceremony he received a certificate and was recognized by several state government officials and Gov. Chris Sununu.
“Congratulations to Noah!” said Superintendent Dr. James C. Morse, Sr. “The NH Kid Governor program instills the importance of public service and shows young people how they can have a positive and lasting effect on their community. Noah’s dedication to addressing homelessness is commendable and speaks to his commitment to the world around him.”
About New Hampshire’s Kid Governor Program
New Hampshire’s Kid Governor® (NHKG) is a national award-winning civics program for fifth graders created by the Connecticut Democracy Center. This ground-breaking approach to civics education immerses students in learning about state government, elections and voting, and civic participation through a real-life election for their state’s Kid Governor.
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