SPRINGFIELD – ISBE announced today the selection of 16 high school students from across the state to serve on the Student Advisory Council (SAC), which brings student concerns to the attention of the State Board of Education. This year’s SAC members are meeting for the first time Oct. 23-24 in Springfield.
“The members of the Student Advisory Council are among the best and brightest students in Illinois. We welcome them to the capital city and thank them for the valuable insight they will provide to the Board,” said Gery J. Chico, Chairman of the State Board of Education. “It is essential we hear the concerns of the student population because the schoolchildren of Illinois are at the center of this agency’s mission and goals.”
The Student Advisory Council represents a diverse group of students from across the state who have demonstrated a strong work ethic, the ability to think creatively and work well in groups. Eligibility for the Student Advisory Council, which was established in 1975, is open to sophomores, juniors and seniors attending a public high school in Illinois.
The SAC members represent student concerns and can provide thoughts on ISBE’s existing and proposed programs, policies and regulations. The student members also choose a special project to research and present before the State Board of Education at the end of the school year.
For the 2012-13 school year, five students are returning to the Student Advisory Council, and 11 new students were selected through a competitive application and review process. The new members of the Student Advisory Council are:
Tyler Bouslog, senior, Paris Cooperative High School in Paris: Tyler has been the president of his class since his sophomore year and was vice president his freshman year. Tyler is also his school’s Student Council president, FFA president and National Honors Society secretary. Tyler is the former president of PCHS's Key Club. He has also been an active member in his county's 4-H program and was his county's 4-H Federation president for two years. In addition, Tyler is a two-year varsity letter winner in football and track. Tyler is the son of Ron and Cindy Bouslog of Paris.
Cristal Cabral, senior, West Chicago Community High School: Cristal is a member of WeGo Buddies, a club in which students partner with special needs students in a variety of activities. Cristal also played softball for two years on the high school team and works at Sky High Sports in Naperville, where she earned employee of the month in August. In addition, she is the head of her school’s American Government Class Simulation Rules Committee. Cristal is the first West Chicago student to join the Student Advisory Council. She is the daughter of Alfonso Cabral and Irma Cabral of West Chicago.
Sabrina Flohr, junior, Collinsville High School: Sabrina is involved in Latin Club, Mu Alpha Theta, Science Club, Science Olympiad, Student Council, Model United Nations and Freshman Focus. Sabrina also plays on the varsity volleyball team. During her sophomore year, she was a part of the Diversity Awareness Partnership. During her freshman and sophomore year, Sabrina was recognized for academic honors for athletics, and also was on the honor roll. She plans on entering college as a biology major, focusing on epidemiology. Sabrina is the daughter of Eric and Carol Flohr.
Alex Foster, senior, Highland Park High School: Alex is an All-State debater and has served as his debate team president. He is also a DECA business club board member and student representative to his city’s Plan Commission. In addition, Alex is a reporter for his school newspaper and a member of the Scholastic Bowl team. During his summers, he interned for a local congressional campaign and traveled to Thailand to teach English to orphans. Alex enjoys snowboarding and scuba diving. He lives in Highland Park with his parents, Terri and Craig Foster, and his brother, Jack.
Alexander Glowacki, senior, Addison Trail High School: Alexander is a captain on the varsity football team. In addition to playing football, he plays the tenor saxophone in the Wind Ensemble at Addison Trail High School. Alex also participates and holds an office in a large amount of clubs and organizations, including president of Student Council, senior class vice president and treasurer of Tri-M Music National Honors Society. Alexander is the son of John and Yola Glowacki.
Austin M. Hansen, junior, Naperville North High School: Austin served as the school’s first Student Ambassador to the Naperville Education Foundation last year. He was elected as the Class of 2014’s executive officer twice and has served on Student Government. As a representative, he launched and maintained the first ever Student Government website and started a schoolwide Intramural Program. Austin is also the executive officer of the school’s DECA Chapter, a First Class Leader, and an Elementary School Mentor. Additionally, Austin is a Youth Juror to the Naperville Police Department and an alumni of the Illinois Leadership Seminars. Austin is the son of Brent Hansen of Batavia and Karen Sitzman of Naperville.
Kimberly Liu, senior, Neuqua Valley High School in Naperville: Kimberly volunteers as a peer tutor, mentors refugee students, teaches piano to under-resourced children, has worked on several political campaigns, and served on a team that designed an eco-friendly budget plan that saved her school $13,000 last year alone. Furthermore, she participates in Youth and Government, competes as a member of her school’s Math Team, is a National Merit Semi-Finalist, was appointed the Midwest Convention Coordinator of the Junior State of America, and is president of her school’s Model United Nations. Kimberly is the daughter of Jean Zhang and Jeffrey Liu.
Michael Lotspeich, senior, Bureau Valley High School in Manlius: Michael has been involved in cross country, track, Show Choir and National Honor Society. He is captain of his varsity cheerleading squad and Envirothon team. During his sophomore year, Michael directed "Baby We're the Firework!" He also served Bureau Valley FFA as a 2nd Term Reporter and Illinois Association FFA as Section 3 Reporter. After graduation, Michael plans on pursuing his degree in Social Services Administration. Michael is the son of Michael and Ellin Lotspeich of Bradford.
Morgan Rich, sophomore, Dee-Mack High School in Mackinaw: Morgan served as Freshman Class President. She is active in band as the feature twirler, cross country, track, scholastic bowl, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Peer Pals. Outside of school, Morgan is a competitive baton twirler at the state and national level, secretary for Woodford County 4-H federation, an Appaloosa Youth Association member competing at the state and national level, and volunteers with her church youth group. She is interested in pursuing a career in the psychology field. Morgan is the daughter of Allen and Cheryl Rich.
Taylor Rossi, senior, PORTA High School in Petersburg: Taylor has served as secretary of the PORTA Community Problem Solvers for five years, as president of the National English Honor Society for one year, and has gone to state with various PORTA Future Problem Solving teams for two of her four high school years. Taylor also participates in Key Club, Scholastic Bowl, Book Club and is active with her school band. She volunteered for the Animal Protective League in Springfield for two summers and as an office assistant with Memorial's Festival of Trees. She plans to go to college to study to be an occupational therapist. Taylor is the daughter of Rhett and Jenny Rossi, both of Petersburg.
Danielle Segerstrom, junior, LeRoy High School: Danielle has participated in cross country for three years, basketball for three years, track for two years, and softball for one year. She has also been a part of her school’s Student Council and Key Club for the past three years. Within Student Council this year, Danielle was elected as the secretary. She was also elected as vice president of her junior class. Danielle is the daughter of Scott and Kathy Segerstrom of LeRoy.
The five returning members of the Student Advisory Council are:
Kristin Ishmael, senior, Litchfield High School: Kristin has served on student council throughout high school and held office as president for two years. She is also currently the state president of the Illinois Student Art Association and the president of her local Rembrandt Society chapter. She is also serving as the senior representative for her third year on Student Against Destructive Decisions (SADD). In addition, she participates in the LHS choir, is a member of National Honor Society and is ranked first in her class. She plans on majoring in biology for pre-medical studies. Kristin is the daughter of Tim and Binky Ishmael of Litchfield.
Cameron Jodlowski, senior, Olympia High School in Stanford: Cameron is involved in Student Council, Science Club, National Honor Society, Drama Team, FFA, and is the captain of the speech team. Outside of school, Cameron is involved in 4-H, serving as the president of his 4-H Club and as a member of the State 4-H Youth Leadership Team and the Illinois Summer Academies Planning Committee. Cameron also planned a landscaping project at his local church, where he installed a new sidewalk and brick edging, for which he received his Eagle Scout badge. In addition, Cameron works at the local veterinary clinic as a kennel assistant and raises national champion dairy goats. He plans on studying animal science/pre-veterinary medicine in college. Cameron is the son of Ed and Colleen Jodlowski of rural Atlanta.
Paige Logan, senior, Altamont High School in Altamont: Paige is a member of student council, the IL 4-H Youth Leadership Team, Speaking for IL 4-H, the Effingham County 4-H Youth Ambassadors, and National Spokesperson for The Great American NO BULL Challenge, an anti-bullying project. She now speaks about her experience with bullying and cyberbullying to raise awareness and attended the Federal Partners in Bullying Prevention Summit in Washington, D.C. In September, Paige received word that she received a grant she had written to receive funding to bring Rachel's Challenge to Effingham County. Rachel's Challenge was created in the aftermath of the Columbine High School shooting. Paige is the daughter of Mike and Patti Logan of Altamont.
Conor Reilley, senior, at Belvidere North High School: Conor is the current president of the student council and editor of the school newspaper. He is also on the varsity football, baseball and scholastic bowl teams. In addition, he is a member of national honor society, English honor society, Spanish honor society, science honor society, and the improvisational acting team. He is the son of Shawn Reilley and Kerry Watson of Belvidere.
Jolie-Grace Wareham, senior, Glenbard East High School: Jolie-Grace is a bassist in the orchestra, as well as several jazz and chamber ensembles. She is a member of her school’s Mock Trial team, student council, Principal’s Advisory Council, and New Beginnings, a club to aid transfer students. Outside of school, Jolie-Grace serves on her town’s Economic and Community Development Committee. Jolie-Grace is a member of The Peace Alliance and has done work with the Department of Peace Act. This fall, she has participated in several political campaigns, as she hopes to have a career in politics, as well as the music industry. Jolie-Grace is the daughter of Jim Wareham and Karen Ryla.
Photos of Student Advisory Council members are available upon request; call (217) 782-4648.
