Oswego School District 308 Board of Education welcomes first-ever high school student ambassadors

The Oswego School District 308 Board of Education was joined by its first-ever high school student ambassadors at their most recent meeting Sept. 27.

Superintendent John Sparlin introduced Oswego High School senior Colton Sannito and Oswego East High School junior Aanya Roy to the board during the meeting at Oswego East High School.

In March, the board announced that it was seeking two high school students to serve as ambassadors representing student perspectives to the board beginning in the 2021-2022 school year. Roy and Sannito were named to the roles out of a field of 22 applicants, following an extensive interview process with Sparlin and the board.

During the meeting, Sparlin introduced the two to the board saying that a role of student ambassadors is “to provide student voice to the Board of Education on issues the board addresses throughout the year.”

Another role of Roy and Sannito is to lead the newly-formed Superintendent Student Advisory Committee, including the six other finalists for the roles, as well as Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Family Engagement Jadon Waller, Board of Education member Eugene Gatewood, OHS Principal Chris Grays, and OEHS Principal Laura Bankowski.

“Ambassadors and the committee members will be working together, gathering information from our student body and making recommendations to the Board of Education on issues students identify that they feel the Board needs to discuss,” Sparlin said.

“By providing student voice to the board on issues the board ultimately makes decisions on, we will create a transformative process, enhancing what we do for the betterment of our students here in District 308.”

“We couldn’t be happier to take on these roles and be with you all here today,” Sannito said while introducing himself to the board and audience.

“If we’ve learned anything over this past year-and-a-half, as a society and a community, it’s that the more voices at the table and in the conversation, the better,” he continued. “As a Student Ambassador, I will advocate to make sure every student of Oswego High School and the district feels heard, understood, and respected.”

“I’m honored and grateful to have been chosen by the Board of Education to work with our students and our Board to...shine light on student voice in our district this school year,” Roy said. “Student voice is what will allow our board to understand the needs and opinions and ideas of our students.

“As we take our first steps in this newfound position as the Student Ambassadors to the Board of Education, I hope that we’re able to pave a path for a future that emphasizes student voice as a top priority in this district.”

Student Ambassadors serve in an advisory capacity to the board, and do not participate in voting or in board closed sessions.