 Preston Graham, a senior at Woodford County High School, was recognized by the National Association of State Boards of Education with a Distinguished Student Service Award. Graham served as a non-voting student member of the Kentucky Board of Education from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025. Photo by Myles Young, Kentucky Department of Education, June 5, 2025
(ALEXANDRIA, VA) – The National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE) will present the Distinguished Student Service Award to Preston Graham, a former non-voting student member of the Kentucky Board of Education (KBE). NASBE created this award in 2023 to recognize the dedication and education policy impact of student representatives on state boards of education.
Graham, a senior at Woodford County High School, served on the Kentucky state board from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025. He still serves on the Commissioner’s Student Advisory Council.
Graham connected with students across Kentucky, bringing their voices and experiences to board meetings and even to the Kentucky General Assembly. During the 2025 legislative session, he gathered input from his peers on a bill limiting student cell phone use in schools and shared it with the KBE.
“Preston’s appointment to the Kentucky board was not simply ceremonial; it is a reflection of his deep commitment to … innovation and student voice in education,” said Lu S. Young, vice chair of the Kentucky state board. “He brought to the boardroom the fresh, unfiltered perspective of Kentucky’s students – especially those in under-resourced areas.”
Graham is also a member of his high school’s swim team and volunteers for Mentors & Meals, a nonprofit organization that supports and tutors middle school students, helping reignite their love for learning.
“Whether it’s exploring policy development, engineering coursework or peer mentoring, [Graham] is intentional, reflective and always oriented toward impact,” said Young. “He has a remarkable ability to listen deeply and speak thoughtfully – skills that are rare in someone so young and yet so crucial for the future of education.”
“We could not be more proud of Preston for receiving the Distinguished Student Service Award from the National Association of State Boards of Education,” said Robbie Fletcher, commissioner of Kentucky Department of Education. “Preston’s enthusiasm, leadership and dedication to amplifying students’ voices across the Commonwealth have left a lasting impact on the Kentucky Board of Education. His commitment to service reflects the very best of what it means to be a student leader and the national recognition is well-deserved."
The award will be presented at NASBE’s Annual Conference, scheduled for Oct. 27–29 in Austin, Texas.
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