Student School Board Representatives
Published September 2024
Get to Know Our Student School Board Representatives
At School District 197, we believe that students should have a meaningful voice in shaping their schools and classrooms. To amplify student voice and ensure that students are a part of the decision-making process, we have two high school students to serve as School Board Student Representatives each school year. Their primary roles are to provide insight from a student lens and support and enhance the Board’s understanding of student issues and how students experience their education. This year’s Student Representatives are seniors Patrick Bohmbach and Nawal Hassan. They shared with us why they serve on the school board, things they have learned by participating in meetings, and how they stay involved in our community.
Nawal Hassan
Patrick Bohmbach
Why did you want to become a School Board Student Representative?
Nawal: I wanted to become a student representative because I saw it as a path to further expand my voice in the district and make sure students' concerns are heard and felt. I wanted to capture that and help become a catalyst of change in our district and not only our district but our community and make sure everyone benefits from the power of student voice.
What are your goals this year as a School Board Student Representative?
Patrick: One of my main goals this year is to focus on community outreach within our district to learn more about the students that I represent. I want to be able to connect with all kinds of students of different backgrounds and share their ideas and stories with the board. I also want to learn more from educators and fellow board members, especially how their meetings affect the district as a whole.
How can students get more involved in the decision-making process?
Nawal: Students can get involved in a multitude of ways in our district. Honestly, I believe the best way to achieve this is by branching out, don’t be afraid to take initiative and look for outlets to become part of decision-making group.
What are your hopes and dreams for the future of our school district?
Patrick: I am very optimistic about the future of our district, and I hope that we continue our work toward being an equitable and fair district. One of my biggest dreams is that, as a whole, we can encourage students to prioritize the powers of their voices and presence in our district. I want students to be unafraid to be themselves and pursue and voice their passions, and I fully believe we are on the right track to culturing that in our district.