Collinsville High School Senior Ryan Lanier is representing CHS as a member of The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Student Board of Directors during the 2019-20 school year.
The program, which is in its eighth year, offers high school seniors a dynamic way to learn about our nation’s central bank.
Participants gain a thorough understanding of the Federal Reserve’s role in the U.S. economy, participate in online and in-person learning experiences and engage with employees from various areas of the Bank.
Only 18 St. Louis and Metro-East area students are selected based on the quality of their essay and letters of recommendation. Ryan’s essay focused on the importance of leadership.
In his essay, he discussed what leadership means to him, provided examples of his leadership of volunteering in the community and tutoring young kids at his church, and he also wrote about role models who have taught him what it means to be a leader.
Ryan received his main recommendation from CHS business teacher, Vicki Fuhrhop, who serves on the educator advisory board at the St. Louis Fed. He was also responsible for having a community member outside the school serve as a recommendation.
Ryan is active in National Honor Society, Student Council (Treasurer), KAHOKstrong, Saturday Scholars, Pep Club and is a member of Kahok Krazies.
While serving on the student board, Ryan will attend monthly board meetings where students discuss issues related to economics and personal finance, participate in discussions with Bank leaders on topics ranging from professional development to career planning and progression; and prepare a presentation about the Federal Reserve to be delivered to peers at CHS.
Bank professionals will also help students with resume writing and interviewing. After successful completion of the yearlong program, Ryan will have an opportunity to apply for a paid, summer internship within a variety of departments at the Fed.
In addition to Ryan, CHS has been fortunate to have six other students serve on the board. Previous alumni include Brian Hoyt, 2012-2013; Sam Caputo, 2014-2015; Ben Frey, 2015-2016; Benjamin Carlson 2016-2017; Venise Govan, 2017-2018; and Tyme Sampson, 2018-2019.