Application open for 2017-18 Student Advisory Council

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) today released the application for the 2017-18 Student Advisory Council (SAC). SAC members learn about education issues in Illinois and provide feedback to the State Board. The students also research a topic of their choosing and present their findings at a State Board meeting. Any student starting the upcoming school year as a sophomore, junior, or senior in an Illinois public high school may apply. Applications are due by 5 p.m. Friday, May 26.

“ISBE values the voices and perspectives of students,” said State Superintendent of Education Tony Smith, Ph.D. “The Student Advisory Council’s research findings and feedback help inform ISBE’s policies and advocacy. SAC offers high school students a meaningful opportunity to engage around issues they see and experience every day and to learn from and collaborate with students from different backgrounds. I encourage students interested in government, policy, and public service to consider applying for the SAC and sharing their valuable voices with ISBE.”

The 2016-17 SAC examined the lack of awareness of mental health issues in Illinois public schools. The SAC’s presentation to the State Board March 15 explored ways to strengthen connections between students, teachers, counselors, and administrators and improve students’ academic, social, emotional, and behavioral outcomes. View the presentation at https://www.isbe.net/Pages/Student-Advisory-Council.aspx.

“SAC has given us a forum in which we can actually help influence policy,” said SAC member Sung “Shawn” Park, a senior at Metea Valley High School in Aurora. “Not only was it wonderful seeing other like-minded students in a room where we could discuss our shared passion, but we actually saw our work come to tangible benefits. SAC has inspired me to keep working in the public service field.”

Kathleen Rock, a member of the 2016-17 SAC and a junior at Byron High School, described her experience as motivating and inspiring. “Being able to meet and work with such a diverse group of students has allowed me to become a better thinker,” said Rock.

ISBE established the SAC in 1975. Applicants undergo a competitive review process and must demonstrate strong interpersonal skills and the ability to think creatively, work well in groups, and develop innovative solutions to complex problems.

The following seven 2016-17 SAC members plan to return to the council for the 2017-18 school year:

Name	School	City	Grade
Neha Arun	Carterville High School	Carterville	Sophomore
Oliver Berrara	North Chicago Community High School	North Chicago	Junior
Evan Blievernicht	Teutopolis High School	Teutopolis	Junior
Bridget Harris	Belvidere North High School	Belvidere	Junior
Kevin D. Little	Niles West High School	Skokie	Junior
Kathleen Rock	Byron High School	Byron	Junior
Elizabeth Warden	Beardstown High School	Beardstown	Junior

The 2017-18 SAC will have nine open spots, vacated by the following graduating seniors:

Name	School	City
Seetha Aribindi	Hinsdale Central High School	Willowbrook
Stella Cole	Springfield High School	Springfield
Archit Dhar	Neuqua Valley High School	Naperville
Morgan Fleck	Williamsville High School	Williamsville
Breeze Keppy	Paris High School	Paris
Gloria Oladipo	Whitney M. Young Magnet	Chicago
Darcy Palder	Jones College Prep School	Chicago
Sung “Shawn” Park	Metea Valley High School	Aurora
Hannah Sunderland	Knoxville High School	Dahinda

Rock, who plans to return to the council for the 2017-18 school year, said next year’s SAC members should “come ready to work and be open to new ideas and experiences.”