Yasir Espinoza, a Waukegan High School senior, spent a week in June meeting peers from throughout the state at the American Legion’s Premier Boys State. He said they talked about their schools and education.
He learned they had something in common.
“They were from all over,” Espinoza said. “We all cared about education in Illinois. We talked about curriculum and AI (artificial intelligence). Our schools are doing a good job, but we can do it better.”
Then Espinoza learned about the Student Advisory Council of the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). He saw it as a place where he could make his voice heard, along with the 20 other members, so he applied.
Espinoza will be introduced as one of 21 members of the 2025-2026 ISBE Student Advisory Council on Wednesday in Springfield, making him part of a group that will eventually present a project to the board for review.
Growing up in a home with three older siblings where his parents stressed education, Espinoza said the council collaborates on a major project throughout the year and presents it to the ISBE board members. He sees the project as a way to influence education for the better statewide.
“I don’t know if it will be AI, the curriculum or both, but it will give me the experience to work with other students to help make something that is important and meaningful,” he said.
With Espinoza’s appointment to the council, the 2025-2026 school year marks the fourth consecutive year Waukegan High School and Waukegan Community Unit School District 60 will have representation on the Student Advisory Council.
For the past three years, 2025 Waukegan High School graduate and University of Chicago freshman Victor Hinojosa was a member of the Student Advisory Council. District 60 Superintendent Theresa Plascencia said in an email that Espinoza has an opportunity to make his influence felt.
“We’re proud to see our students stepping up to make a difference,” she said. “Opportunities like this ensure that their voices are heard and that they play a role in shaping the future of education.”
Lindsay Record, ISBE’s press secretary, said in an email that Espinoza is the only member from Lake County.
Record said the council meets both together and virtually, reviewing current research and “brainstorming” new ideas to develop and offer ISBE members recommendations from a student perspective.
“The purpose of the (council) is to provide a meaningful forum for students to share their perspectives on education in Illinois,” Record said in the email. “The council helps members build advocacy and leadership skills while engaging with policymakers, stakeholders and community partners.”
A Waukegan native who went to North Elementary School and Edith Smith Middle School before entering the high school, Espinoza said his primary activity other than his schoolwork is the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC), where he has a leadership role.
“I’m the logistics and training operations officer,” he said. “I’m part of the drill team. We practice every day. I also want to maintain my grades. My parents did not get the opportunity to have a good education. That’s why they’re pushing us to do it.”
Maintaining good grades is important to Espinoza. He said he hopes to attend a quality school like Northwestern University in Evanston.
Gaining a seat on the council is a “rigorous” process. Record said it starts with a detailed written application before a panel of judges chooses a select group for video interviews. Selection provides a way to inform the board and ISBE about possible improvements to the state’s education system.
“Throughout the process, students have the opportunity to showcase their communication and leadership skills, as well as their passion for sharing meaningful feedback on improving the education policy and practice.” Record said.