Three students from DGS attended the Illinois State Board of Education Student Summit on March 13, joining peers from across the state to discuss current issues impacting education.
Senior Yamil Pacheco, along with student representatives Smera Sujith Kumar and Anvita Gupta, participated in the event, which was organized by members of the State Student Advisory Council. Student Activities Director Jennifer Martinez accompanied the group.
The summit brought together students statewide to share perspectives on a range of issues impacting education. Participants collaborated in small groups and provided feedback that will be presented to the State Board of Education later this year.
“As the student activities director, this is my first time being involved with the ISBE Student Summit,” Martinez said. “By attending with the students, I learned a lot about it as well. They were really able to share their voice on topics that impact all of our schools.”
Martinez said the experience allowed students to engage in meaningful discussions and bring back ideas to improve their own school community.
“They come back with great ideas from across the state of Illinois about how schools are addressing various topics that impact all of students’ experiences,” Martinez said.
Pacheco, a senior and first-year member of the State Student Advisory Council, played a role in helping organize the summit and guide discussions.
“At the beginning of my role, I had the opportunity to hear from several departments within ISBE, such as support services, finance, communications and the Chief of Staff,” Pacheco said. “Through this experience, our group of 21 students brainstormed improvements we would like to see in our education system.”
Pacheco explained that council members worked in four focus groups: technology and artificial intelligence, college readiness, school culture and chronic absenteeism and access and equity.
“Each group consisted of about five members whose task was to prepare for the student summit by generating questions to receive feedback and present to the State Board of Education in May,” Pacheco said.
After watching students engage at the event, Martinez noted that opportunities like this help students grow as leaders and deepen their understanding.
“I think they’re so important for students at DGS because it gives our school visibility and allows them to participate and have a voice,” Martinez said. “It’s also an amazing opportunity for our students to develop their leadership skills, meet other people and have these different experiences.”
Pacheco described how being part of those conversations showed him the importance of student perspectives and representation.
“I would encourage students to take full advantage of this opportunity,” Pacheco said. “Be authentic and open to sharing your perspective, whether positive or negative, as it helps bring attention to issues that arise over time within education.”
Students interested in applying to the State Student Advisory Council can find more information through the Illinois State Board of Education, where applications are typically open annually for high school students across the state.
