Cassidy DeMasi’s first time seated among the Southern Regional Board of Education was an eye-opening experience.

“It was interesting,” she said, a smile on her face, following the Sept. 13 meeting. “A lot of students don’t ever get to see what happens behind the scenes with the school board, and I learned a few things I didn’t know before. It’s kind of fascinating to see all the ins and outs of where a lot of the decisions are made.”