Finding My Voice After Losing My Breath: A Student's Fight for School Choice
How a medical crisis transformed one Pennsylvania teen into a powerful advocate for educational freedom
Bella and Milou Mackenzie fall of 2024
Hello, My name is Bella Malliard. I'm 15 years old, in 9th grade at Commonwealth Charter Academy, and I'm fighting for my education—and yours too. When I was little, I thought all kids went to school the same way. Then I found Commonwealth Charter Academy, a cyber charter school that changed everything for me. For the first time, I could learn in a way that made sense. I could succeed. Then in December 2024, my world shattered. What was supposed to be a routine surgery turned into a nightmare.
My heart stopped.
The doctors had to bring me back with four rounds of epinephrine. I spent weeks in a coma with a breathing tube. When I finally woke up, I couldn't walk, couldn't feed myself, couldn't do the simplest things. From my hospital bed, while learning how to live again, I realized something important: my voice matters more than ever. Some people think kids like me don't understand what's at stake when they talk about "school funding" or "education reform." But we understand exactly what's at stake—our futures.
I'm challenging Governor Shapiro and other lawmakers to sit down with me and other charter school students. Not for a photo op. Not for a quick handshake. But to truly listen to our stories. When you're lying in a hospital bed wondering if you'll ever walk again, you start to see what really matters. Education isn't just about buildings or budgets—it's about finding the place where each kid can shine.
My cyber charter school stood by me through my recovery.
They made it possible for me to keep learning even when I couldn't leave my hospital room. They're still supporting me as I deal with epilepsy and other challenges from my brain injury.
Every student deserves a school that fights for them like mine fought for me. So when adults tell me they know what's best for my education without ever asking me what I need, it hurts. When they try to cut funding for schools like mine without ever seeing how these schools change lives, it makes me wonder: who are they really fighting for? I may be 15, but I've faced death and fought my way back. I've spoken at the Capitol steps and in its Rotunda.
I've met with lawmakers and education officials. And on May 6th, 2025, I hope to meet with Governor Shapiro to make sure he hears directly from students like me. Because no one should decide our educational futures without hearing our voices first. My battle for my health continues every day.
But it's made me stronger for this fight—the fight for educational choice in Pennsylvania.
Will you stand with me?
From a hospital bed to the House floor,
Bella Malliard
Representative Gina Curry is planning to introduce legislation to update Pennsylvania's school testing laws by amending the Keystone Exams. Under current federal law, students are required to take tests in Math, English, and Science once during high school, and Pennsylvania mandates that students be tested after completing Algebra, Literature, and Biology courses.
https://www.palegis.us/house/co-sponsorship/memo?memoID=46158
The proposed legislation aims to replace the Keystone Exams with a single, nationally recognized summative assessment that can also serve as a college entrance exam.
Representative Carol Hill-Evans is circulating a memo to address a gap in Pennsylvania's Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which provides health insurance to over 160,000 low-income families in the state. Currently, CHIP does not expressly cover frenectomies, a simple and often anesthesia-free procedure to correct lip and tongue-ties, common conditions that can impair eating and breathing in children.
https://www.palegis.us/house/co-sponsorship/memo?memoID=46149
Representative Andrew Kuzma is circulating a memo to introduce Samantha’s Law, named in honor of Samantha Kalkbrenner, a fifteen-year-old Allegheny County student who tragically died in a school passenger van accident caused by a racing driver. The proposed legislation aims to codify the Pennsylvania Superior Court decision in Spencer vs. Johnson, which addresses liability in cases where a plaintiff, such as a child on a bus, is found to be 0% negligent.
https://www.palegis.us/house/co-sponsorship/memo?memoID=46134
Representatives Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz and David Zimmerman are circulating a memo regarding legislation to improve vision care for Pennsylvania students. Under the current system, students undergo vision screenings at certain intervals, and if they fail a screening, they are required to have a comprehensive eye exam.
https://www.palegis.us/house/co-sponsorship/memo?memoID=46137
Representative Aerion Abney is circulating a memo regarding legislation aimed at raising the certification standards for professional educators in cyber charter schools. Currently, cyber charter schools in Pennsylvania are only required to have 75% of their professional staff certified, while traditional school districts must have 100% certification
https://www.palegis.us/house/co-sponsorship/memo?memoID=46110
Representatives Dan Miller and Justin Fleming are circulating a memo regarding legislation to simplify Miranda Rights for minors in Pennsylvania. The proposal comes in response to a 2011 Supreme Court ruling that law enforcement should consider a suspect's age during questioning or custody, as minors may not fully understand their Miranda rights.
https://www.palegis.us/house/co-sponsorship/memo?memoID=46117
Representatives Dan Miller and Emily Kinkead are circulating a memo regarding a bill focused on ensuring that children in the juvenile justice system continue to receive a free and appropriate public education when placed out of their homes. This bill addresses concerns raised by the bipartisan, bicameral juvenile justice task force about monitoring and advancing the educational goals of delinquent children in out-of-home placements. The legislation aims to protect the constitutional right to education for children who are removed from their homes due to delinquency.
https://www.palegis.us/house/co-sponsorship/memo?memoID=46118
Representative Jim Prokopiak has circulated a memo addressing the misuse of taxpayer dollars by cyber charter schools. A recent report revealed that some cyber charter schools in Pennsylvania have spent over $196 million on purchasing and renovating buildings, despite being virtual education providers. This raises concerns about the allocation of funds intended for students' education.
https://www.palegis.us/house/co-sponsorship/memo?memoID=46082
Representatives Chris Pielli and Mary Jo Daley are urging fellow House members to support legislation creating a mother's treatment court pilot program to support mothers recovering from drug or alcohol addiction while caring for their children.
https://www.palegis.us/house/co-sponsorship/memo?memoID=46083
Representatives Benjamin Sanchez, Sheryl Delozier, Jeanne McNeill, and Dan Miller introduced the Uniform Parentage Act (UPA) on March 17, 2025, to establish clear legal guidelines for determining child-parent relationships, especially for children born through assisted reproduction, to ensure stability and consistency across Pennsylvania. The current lack of statutory guidance has led to a fragmented legal landscape, causing uncertainty for families. The UPA seeks to provide safeguards for surrogates, equal protection for all children, and prevent protracted litigation, ensuring consistent emotional and financial support.
https://www.palegis.us/house/co-sponsorship/memo?memoID=46085
The proposed legislation, spearheaded by Representative Emily Kinkead and co-sponsors, aims to limit the use of solitary confinement for juveniles, highlighting its detrimental effects on mental health and safety. Research indicates that solitary confinement exacerbates mental health issues, increases suicide risk, and is an ineffective measure for ensuring safety in facilities. The legislation seeks to prohibit solitary confinement for punitive purposes, require less restrictive alternatives, limit confinement duration, ensure communication with affected youth, and mandate attorney notification regarding confinement.
https://www.palegis.us/house/co-sponsorship/memo?memoID=46105
Upcoming Senate ED Committee Meetings
03/25/2025
10:30 AM
03/26/2025
9:30 AM
Senator Dawn Keefer is set to introduce a resolution aimed at eliminating the U.S. Department of Education, asserting Pennsylvania's right to control its own education system. This initiative, which follows a recent executive order to enhance educational outcomes, criticizes the federal department's influence over the past 40 years, citing stagnant student performance and ineffective federal mandates. The resolution seeks to restore state control over education, ensuring accountability for taxpayer funds and allowing Pennsylvania to tailor education policies to better meet local needs.
https://www.palegis.us/senate/co-sponsorship/memo?memoID=46159
Senator Katie Muth plans to introduce "Welcoming Schools" legislation to ensure Pennsylvania schools are safe and inclusive for all students, regardless of immigration status. The proposed law would require school districts to implement procedures for responding to immigration enforcement at schools. This initiative is a response to the rescinding of a long-standing bipartisan ICE policy that previously prohibited immigration enforcement in public schools.https://www.palegis.us/senate/co-sponsorship/memo?memoID=46156
Senator Doug Mastriano has proposed legislation to recognize and promote the Pledge to Pennsylvania’s Flag, emphasizing the state's core values of liberty, justice, and unity. The initiative aims to instill pride and patriotism in Pennsylvanians by highlighting the state's rich history, diverse culture, and industrious spirit. Mastriano encourages support for this effort to reinforce the values that have fortified Pennsylvania.
https://www.palegis.us/senate/co-sponsorship/memo?memoID=46160
Senator Carolyn Comitta has proposed designating the apple as the official state fruit of Pennsylvania in light of the upcoming 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding. This initiative is supported by a middle school student's research, which highlights the historical significance of apples in Pennsylvania, their health benefits, and the state's substantial apple production. The initiative aims to promote healthy eating and acknowledge Pennsylvania's contributions to the apple industry.
https://www.palegis.us/senate/co-sponsorship/memo?memoID=46152
The 2025 State of Education report from the Pennsylvania School Boards Association highlights ongoing challenges for school administrators in Pennsylvania, including student mental health needs, budgetary pressures, and staffing vacancies. Despite bipartisan efforts to increase school funding by over $2 billion since 2023, many rural districts feel neglected. Additionally, the condition of school facilities has emerged as a significant concern, with many administrators citing the need for renovations. The report also notes persistent achievement gaps linked to poverty, declining public school enrollment, and rising costs associated with special education and charter schools.
A moderated debate on the topic of banning or regulating cellphone use in schools will take place in Perkasie on March 22, 2025, at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church. Sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Bucks County and Braver Angels of Southeast Pennsylvania, the event aims to foster discussion among community members, including students and parents, about cellphone policies in schools, which are largely shaped by existing guidelines in various local districts. The debate will emphasize constructive dialogue rather than competition, aiming to bridge differing opinions on the issue.
The Lakeview School District in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, is contemplating staff reductions due to a significant decline in student enrollment from nearly 1,100 in the 2016-2017 school year to 797 currently. Despite this drop, the number of staff has only slightly decreased. The Board of Education is seeking to maintain fiscal responsibility and has introduced retirement incentives to minimize furloughs while emphasizing the need for careful consideration in making these decisions.
A man was charged with making terroristic threats after a road rage incident in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, on March 14. The incident led to a lockdown at Middle Paxton Elementary School, though police have stated that the event was unrelated to the school and there is no immediate threat to the public.
A North Allegheny School District employee was found to have a gun in their vehicle parked on school property, leading to an investigation by local police. Although no threats were made, the employee has been placed on administrative leave, and the district is pursuing charges due to a violation of policy. School officials emphasized their commitment to safety and encouraged the reporting of any unsafe behaviors