MILLBURY - Giving back to his school district is why 19-year-old Nicholas Lazzaro ran for public office.

Now, the Millbury High School graduate is getting his chance.

"I'm an eagle scout, and one of the biggest things I wanted to focus on was giving back to the people who have given to me. One of the primary reasons for me running is so I can improve the school district because it has given so much to me," Lazzaro said in a recent interview.

Lazzaro was elected to the Millbury School Committee earlier this week. He's going into his sophomore year at Assumption University, and will serve a 2 year term.

But he isn't going in unprepared. He has experience on the Committee, being a Student Representative since he was 16.

Lazzaro said, "I learned a lot about what goes on behind the scenes, which a lot of people don't take the time and consideration and manpower it takes to run a school district."

Lazzaro joins the Committee with priorities and concerns. While funding is always an issue he says, he's looking to improve upon what he describes as a 'whitewashed' curriculum. He also wants to address racism.

"We need to provide [students] with educational resources and equipment so we can make sure they know how to interact with other people that don't look like them, don't talk like them, don't sound like them," he says.

Lazzaro is among the youngest elected officials ever in the town of Millbury. Being so young comes with both pros and cons, but he hopes to provide an unseen perspective to the committee.

​Lazzaro said, "I have the ability to hold educators accountable because I was a product of their education. I was a product of the curriculum. I know where we have loops. I know where we have holes in the curriculum."

Lazzaro chose a two-year term instead of three years because he plans on heading to law school once he graduates from Assumption University.​

Photo courtesy: Nick Lazaroo/Facebook