Yasir Espinoza, a Waukegan high school student, spent a week in June meeting peers from the whole state in the first boys in the American Legion. He said they had talked about their schools and their studies.
He learned that they had something in common.
“They came from everywhere,” said Espinoza. “We all care about education in Illinois. We talked about the study and AI (artificial intelligence) program. Our schools are doing a good job, but we can do it better. ”
Espinoza then learned of the Board of Education (ISBE) Advisory Council (ISBE) from Illinois State Board (ISBE). He saw him as a place where he could make his voice heard, with the other 20 members, so he applied.
Espinoza will be presented as one of the 21 members of the ISPE 2025-2026 student advisory council on Wednesday in Springfield, which is part of a group that will eventually present a project to the board of directors.
Having grown up in a house with three older brothers and sisters where his parents underlined education, Espinoza said that the Council collaborated on a major project throughout the year and presents it to the members of the ISBE board of directors. He considers the project as a means of influencing education for the best of the state.
“I do not know if it will be AI, the program or both, but it will give me the experience of working with other students to help do something that is important and significant,” he said.
With the appointment of Espinoza to the Council, the 2025-2026 school year marks the fourth consecutive year of Waukegan high school and the Waukegan Community Unit School District 60 will have a representation of the student advisory council.
In the past three years, the graduate of the Waukegan 2025 high school and the recruit of the University of Chicago Victor Hinojosa was a member of the Student Advisory Council. The Surintendent of the District 60 Theresa Plascencia declared in an email that Espinoza had the opportunity to make her influence felt.
“We are proud to see our students intensify to make a difference,” she said. “Opportunities like this guarantee that their voices are heard and that they play a role in training the future of education.”
Lindsay Record, the press secretary of the ISBE, said in an e-mail that Espinoza is the only member of the County of Lake.
Record said that the Council meets both together and practically, examining current research and “reflecting” to new ideas to develop and offer recommendations from ISBE members from the student’s point of view.
“The goal of (advice) is to provide a significant forum to students to share their perspectives on education in Illinois,” said record in email. “The Council helps members to develop advocacy and leadership skills while engaging with decision -makers, stakeholders and community partners.”
Originally from Waukegan who went to North primary school and the Edith Smith intermediary school before entering high school, Espinoza said that his main activity other than his school work is the junior reserve training body (Jrotc), where he has a leadership role.
“I am the logistics and training operations agent,” he said. “I am part of the drilling team. We train every day. I also want to keep my notes. My parents did not have the opportunity to have a good education. This is why they push us to do it. ”
Maintaining good grades is important for Espinoza. He said he hoped to attend a quality school like the Northwestern University in Evanston.
Obtaining a seat on the board is a “rigorous” process. The recording said that it begins with a detailed written request before a panel of judges chose a group selected for video interviews. The selection provides a means of informing the board of directors and the ISBE on the possible improvements of the state education system.
“Throughout the process, students have the possibility of presenting their skills in communication and leadership, as well as their passion for sharing significant comments on improving policy and the practice of education.” Said file.
