Commissioner Lesley Briones Celebrates Appointments of High School Students to Newly Created Positions on Harris County Safe School Commission

11 Dec, 24

For the first time since its establishment, the Harris County Safe School Commission (SSC) created dedicated high school student seats. In a unanimous vote, Harris County Commissioners Court approved the appointments of 15-year-old Ngoc Ho and 17-year-old Ashlyn Morton to the new student at-large positions.

Ho, a freshman at Alief ISD's Kerr High School, and Morton, a senior at HISD's Lamar High School, will initially serve a six-month term, aligning with the remainder of the school year. Their one-year term will begin in June 2025.

In August, Commissioner Lesley Briones, a former teacher, advocated for the two dedicated student seats as part of her plan to expand and strengthen the SSC.

"It is imperative that student voices are not only included but amplified as we make decisions that impact their well-being. I am energized by the addition of Ashlyn and Ngoc to the Safe School Commission. These young leaders have an impressive record of advocacy and a proven commitment to uplifting their communities. They will make the SSC more inclusive, better informed, and help make our schools safer," Commissioner Briones said. 

Ho is a fellow with AliefVotes, a youth voter engagement initiative. She also volunteers with the Alief Super Neighborhood Council and League of Women Voters Houston. 

"I hope to amplify student voices and contribute to creating safer, more inclusive schools where every student feels secure and valued! With rising concerns about school safety, this role is an opportunity to advocate for meaningful policies and initiatives that address mental health, bullying, and emergency preparedness. It's vital to prioritize student well-being and foster environments where education thrives without fear," Ho said.  

Morton is president of Lamar's chapter of Deeds Not Words, a student-led grassroots civic engagement and advocacy group. As a campus organizer, she has created campaigns to address a variety of social issues and testified at HISD board meetings. 

"I am honored to have been formally appointed to the Safe School Commission. This is an important step towards ensuring all students have a safe and supportive environment to learn and grow. I look forward to contributing my perspective and amplifying the voices of students who deserve to feel safe and heard," Morton said.

Commissioners Court also reappointed Holly Maria Flynn Vilaseca, a former teacher and past HISD trustee, and Klein ISD superintendent Dr. Jenny McGown to the SSC. Other SSC members include:

  • Harris County Fire Marshal Laurie Christensen
  • Saami Baig, former co-executive director for March For Our Lives Houston and Rice University student
  • Traci Latson, HISD teacher
  • Calandrian Simpson-Kemp, gun violence prevention advocate
  • Representative from the Harris County Department of Education's Center for Safe and Secure Schools
  • Representative from the Region 4 Education Service Center

The Court created the SSC at the recommendation of Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey in June 2022, in the wake of the Uvalde school shooting that tragically took the lives of 19 students and two teachers.

The SSC was tasked with generating recommendations on how Harris County could support improved safety in Harris County's 25 Independent School Districts and private schools during the 2022-2023 school year.

Commissioner Briones reconvened the Safe School Commission earlier this year to implement these strategies and other national best practices, as well as enhance collaboration, training, and communication between the over 75 law enforcement agencies and 25 Independent School Districts in Harris County. The SSC's key priorities include: 

  • Emergency responder access to key/lock boxes
  • Harris County Fire Marshal's Office annual lock inspections for K-12 schools 
  • Hosting Townhall meetings in each Precinct 

The Commission focuses on evidence-based best practices and provides recommendations to the Court on initiatives that will help families, communities, and schools build capacity and establish and expand successful school safety strategies. 

Members of the SSC are appointed by Commissioners Court. To apply, please visit the Harris County Office of County Administration's Boards and Commissions website

Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis.