CPS' First Ever Student Advisory Council

Lee Edwards | As of Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Members of the 2013-14 Student Advisory Council: Regan Allen, Kenwood Academy; Karina Chaparro, Spry Community Links; Carlos Dent, Chicago Military Academy; Jose Angel Diaz, Curie Metropolitan High School; Raynard Gillispie, Camelot Excel Academy (Options); Husam Haj, John F. Kennedy; Shiza Jeewa, Northside College Prep; Winnie Lui, Whitney Young; Sanel Mehmedovic, Whitney Young; Andrea Mondragon, Benito Juarez; Alexis Murillo, Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences; Donald Rapier, Lindblom Math and Science Academy; Martin Roman, Pritzker College Prep (Noble Charter); Fatima Sattar, Northside College Prep; Yevette Smith, Lane Tech; Crystal Stonewall, Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences; Ryan Stratton, Kenwood Academy; Angelique White, Percy L. Julian

Last week, Chicago Public Schools’ (CPS) Board of Education presented its first ever student advisory council (SAC) at its monthly board meeting at 125 S. Clark St. The 19 member council is the realization of an initiative proposed by Chicago Public Schools CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett who called for the creation of the council in early November.

"We look forward to giving students a greater role and voice in shaping and informing District policies," said CEO Byrd-Bennett. "The new Student Advisory Council will create an ongoing dialogue between students and CPS leadership that will help us reach our goal of CPS students being 100 percent college-ready and 100 percent college-bound."

During the meeting, Chicago Board of Education member Deborah Quazzo stated, “I have to say that I’m blown away by the backgrounds, by the passion, [and] by the interest contributing to this.”

“This council will have a seat at the table and have an opportunity to make their voices heard on issues that are important to students,” said Ashley Gordon, who served as honorary board member at the meeting.

The SAC selection/application process included an interview and written answers to essay questions. Over 130 students applied. The selected students hail from 15 schools across the Chicagoland area.

The realization of being chosen as a SAC member naturally affected each council member differently.

“This council will have a seat at the table and have an opportunity to make their voices heard on issues that are important to students.” - Ashley Gordon, Honorary Chicago Board of Education member. Gordon (bottom left), was present at the meeting to introduce the Student Advisory. Gordon sat next to James L. Bebley, General Counsel; Barbara Byrd-Bennett, Chief Executive Officer; (top row): Jesse Ruz, Vice President of the Chicago Board of Education ; David L. Vitale, President of the Chicago Board ; and Deborah Quazzo, Board member.

“I’m a little nervous because this is my first time doing anything like this but I have confidence in myself,” said Excel Academy of Englewood student, Raynard Gillispe. “I know [I’ll] make it through because it’s worth it, I want to make a change in my world and that’s what I’m going to do.”

“I think [the SAC] gives an opportunity to utilize the skills that we all have and that we all can bring,” said Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences student, Alexis Murillo. “We’re all very diverse, all 19 of us, and coming together only helps represent the whole student body.”

“At my school, Whitney Young, I’ve already approached the vice principal with creating a link for students in my school to go to raise their questions, comments, and concerns to me and the other student on the council as well,” said Whitney Young High School student, Sanel Mehmedovic. “I sometimes kind of forget that I’m part of a bigger system. I think that I’m at Whitney Young and that’s it but with this I feel that we [can] address issues.”

Following are the members of the 2013-14 Student Advisory Council:

· Regan Allen, Kenwood Academy

· Karina Chaparro, Spry Community Links

· Carlos Dent, Chicago Military Academy

· Jose Angel Diaz, Curie Metropolitan High School

· Raynard Gillispie, Camelot Excel Academy (Options)

· Husam Haj, John F. Kennedy

· Shiza Jeewa, Northside College Prep

· Winnie Lui, Whitney Young

· Sanel Mehmedovic, Whitney Young

· Andrea Mondragon, Benito Juarez

· Alexis Murillo, Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences