At the May 27 Troy City Council Meeting, Troy native Makelia LaRee Wingard was unanimously approved as the newest member of the Troy City Schools Board of Education. 

Wingard is a lifelong resident of Troy and a 2003 graduate of Charles Henderson High School. She’s a resident of District 5 and was nominated for the position by District 5 Councilwoman Wanda Moultry.

“Honored, grateful, surprised and shocked,” Wingard described as her reaction to being asked to take on the position. “It lets you know there are people in the community that think and know that I do have the capabilities to sit in that seat. I’m grateful for the opportunity.”

Wingard is a Universal Banker II with Troy Bank & Trust and also a very successful playwright. Wingard has written and produced five plays, including her most recent “Grief, Grudges and Guilt,” which is currently touring the Southeast. The play has made stops in Troy, Greenville and Montgomery with more stops scheduled for Birmingham, Mobile, Ozark and Panama City, Fla. 

Wingard said she accepted the role on the school board because she wants to continue to have a positive influence on the community.

“I want to make a difference,” she said. “Make a difference and be a positive influence and be able to help continue pushing the school system in the right direction and going about some positive changes, that’s why I accepted it. I have a child in the school system, so I want to have a positive impact on all of these children.”

Wingard is replacing Maxine Hollis on the school board after she served out her five-year term. Wingard is looking forward to her time on the board.

“I want to help build a bridge between the students and parents with the school system,” she said. “I want to do whatever I can to bring about any positive changes I can and also stand behind the policies and procedures that are already in effect to help us have a productive school system and upcoming school years.”