Layah Garton

Tennessee native, Layah Garton, was appointed by Governor Bill Lee on August 4, 2023 to represent the board as Student Regent. She graduated high school in the summer of 2022 and began diesel school in the fall of 2022 at TCAT Nashville. Her estimated graduation date is summer of 2024.

During her high school career, Layah was an active member of the Model UN team and Youth in Government. At the age of 12, she began volunteering for political campaigns which later on, turned into paid internships. “No matter what age, It is everyone’s responsibility to understand the function of government along with the importance of voting” Layah says.

Raised in a “first in, last out” household, Layah holds a special place in her heart for first responders and military personnel. In 2016, she joined the Hendersonville Police Department Explorers program where she is currently the Lieutenant overseeing 15 future law enforcement officers. With a focus on community engagement, she began the community service program within the Explorers Department which has contributed over 175 service hours in just under 6 months.