Academy of Richmond County senior Maggie Bailey was one of only 53 students from throughout Georgia to be named Monday to Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox's 2009-10 Student Advisory Council.

The council will meet three times during the school year to advise Ms. Cox on how state policies are working in classes, according to a news release. No other Augusta-area student was named to the council.

"The Student Advisory Council is an invaluable resource to me and the leadership of the Georgia Department of Education," Ms. Cox said in the release. "It gives me a tremendous insight into how state policies and procedures are working in the classroom, and it allows me to communicate directly with students in schools throughout Georgia."

The 53 students were selected from more than 550 who applied from 108 districts. Those chosen were selected based on essay answers.

"I think we have a great group of students this year, and I'm looking forward to our first meeting," Ms. Cox said.

That meeting will be Monday at the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Reach Preston Sparks at (706) 828-3851 or preston.sparks@augustachronicle.com.