Anti-bullying. College tour: TTHS D205 student board unveils event proposals for 2025-26 school year

The Thornton Township High Schools District 205 student board of education presented their ideas for upcoming events and projects for the 2025-26 school year during their August meeting, with aims to address pressing issues like youth mental health and violence.

The student board is a group of elected and appointed high school students from across the district who represent their peers, work on districtwide initiatives, and advise administrators on student concerns. It is the only such public body in Illinois.

With the new school year underway, members discussed upcoming projects and events managed by the board’s 11 committees. The Dr. John Bradley committee proposed a community event in October focused on substance abuse, violence, and mental health awareness. The event is planned as a festival with live music, a battle of the bands, games, food, and informational speeches.

“Our mission is to inspire service and foster unity within District 205 and bring in not only just District 205 students, but the children and families of all surrounding communities,” said Awestyn Farmer, a member from Thornwood High School. 

Board members agreed to move forward with outreach while continuing to secure logistics.

The Southland Juvenile Justice Youth Advisory Council, a youth-led initiative under the Cook County Southland Juvenile Justice Council, proposed events for anti-bullying and breast cancer awareness to also take place in October. Student board advisor Barbra Green-Kenan, who is also a project manager for SJJC’s Career Compass Project, encouraged board members to reach out to the organization early to discuss potential funding support for events. 

CBS News recently reported that the organization experienced delays in receiving state grant money, which had temporarily held up paychecks for teens in its summer job program.

Other projects proposed at the meeting include a post-graduation interests survey and networking event led by the curriculum committee, a senior college tour led by the graduation committee, and a more engaging student facility-reporting process led by the buildings and grounds committee.

Student representative vacancy

This year’s board, appointed in May, started with nine members — three members per school — with six student representatives at-large. However, the board is now looking to fill a vacant seat for a new student representative at-large.

Thornridge High School board member C’anna Keys resigned from her position, which led the board to appoint Ayaan Latham, a Thornridge student representative at-large, to fill the school’s vacant seat. That move opened a spot for a new student representative and sparked a discussion on whether to appoint someone to fill it.

Some members expressed hesitation, noting that the group had already discussed and voted against adding another member in a previous election committee meeting. Other members believe it could help prepare future leaders, especially since the board has a large number of seniors who will graduate at the end of the term.

Jerry Doss, associate superintendent and student board advisor, clarified that representatives at-large can come from any school. “Each school has three members, but when you do the student rep, they don’t necessarily have to be somebody back from Thornridge.” 

The decision was postponed until the next meeting.

Retreat reflections and public participation

The board reflected on their four-day leadership retreat that took place in July. Several members highlighted the value of the experience, noting the retreat’s mix of fun and challenging activities that encouraged team development and personal growth.

During public participation, attendees praised the board’s growth since the summer retreat and Teachers Institute Day, noting increased collaboration and stronger communication among members.

“While you have created these goals, it is now your job to put them into action, plan your meetings, send your emails that are pre-approved, [and] make sure that the students know who you are and they know what you’re here for,” Thornton Township High Schools District 205 school board member Sonja Bradley said. 

Superintendent Nathaniel Cunningham, Jr. closed the meeting by encouraging members to lead with clarity and purpose. “Your role is not just to hold the seat at this table. Your role is to use your voice for those who don’t have one,” Cunningham said.