SPS School Board Appoints New Student Members  

Welcome New School Board Student Members Students from Ballard, Franklin, and Lincoln high schools take the oath of office for their seat on the Seattle School Board. Seniors Colin Bragg and Safiya Ilyas and junior Sabi Yoon will join the Seattle School Board as student board members for the 2024-25 school year. This will be a first term for all three student leaders.  

Student member positions were created in response to student advocacy led by the NAACP Youth Council about the need to uplift and increase BIPOC student voices within Seattle Public Schools. The Seattle School Board recognizes the organizational structure of the district can create a wall between decision makers and the students the district serves. Board members also believe students possess valuable insight and should have a voice in the education received from the district and the decisions made by the board.    

Meet the 2024-25 Student Board Members 

Sabi Yoon

Ballard High School 
11th grade
Activities: Associate Student Body class ambassador, Mock Trial team founder and president, Varsity Tennis captain, Varsity Swim.

Why did you want to join the Seattle School Board as a student member? I am passionate about serving and giving back to the community. As a student within Seattle Public Schools, I have seen first-hand the challenges faced by students including issues related to school security and safety, nutrition in school lunches, and lack of funding for certain programs.  

In my role as a student member, I would like to ensure that student voices and concerns are heard, and I am confident I can offer a different perspective to help with the School Board’s decision-making process. By joining the School Board, I hope to advocate for policies that enhance educational experiences, promote equity, and create a supportive environment where all students can thrive. 

What issues matter most to you? 

• Safety and security of all students within our school district. 
• Improving the quality and nutritional value of school lunches. 
• Securing adequate funding for vital school programs. 
• Fostering a more inclusive environment that accurately represents and respects the cultural backgrounds of our diverse student body. 

What are you hoping to accomplish during your time on the Board? I want to advocate for stronger safety and security measures to ensure all students feel safe at school including controlled access to school buildings, better surveillance systems and involving more local law enforcement.  

I want to work on improving the nutritional quality of school lunches, making sure all students have access to healthy, balanced and affordable meals that accommodate common food allergies, dietary restrictions and religious beliefs.  

I want to push for increased funding for under-resourced programs, so every student has the opportunity to benefit from a well-rounded education. Cost should not be a barrier to accessing educational resources and opportunities, including school clubs and classes.   

I am committed to promoting greater cultural representation within our schools, ensuring all students feel seen, heard, and respected. I want to incorporate more events that celebrate and highlight the diverse backgrounds and traditions of our student body. 

By addressing these areas, I hope to make a lasting impact that benefits both current and future students in the district. 

Colin E Bragg

Lincoln High School and Skill Center 
12th Grade
Activities: ChainLynx Robotics president, Bread Club president and founder, Fabrication Club.

Why did you want to join the Seattle School Board as a student member? “I heard about it because at Lincoln we had one of the previous year’s representatives, and with more research into it, I saw an opportunity as a student to have a voice.”  

What issues matter most to you? “I care most about easily accessible information, the ins and outs of the district, problems affecting students in the IEP program, and CTE programs and post high school plans that are not traditional.” 

What are you hoping to accomplish during your time on the Board? “I want to work to inform the general student body and bring in more voices, be a representative for students who have been through similar things.” 

Safiya Ilyas

Franklin High School 
12th grade
Activities: Varsity Mock Trial, African Student Union president, Muslim Student Union president, Coalition of Muslim Voice for SPS co-founder, JV Tennis, JV Soccer, Book Club president, National Honors Society, Link Crew leader, Tech Theater Lighting Manager, Chess Club, Black Student Union, HOSA, Girls Who Code.

Why did you want to join the Seattle School Board as a student member? I want to join this position so my voice can be heard. Considering the activities I participate in are white/male dominated, what I have to say is always second-guessed or undermined. There are many students in Seattle Public Schools like me. First generation, Muslim, Somali American, Hijabis who feel their voices aren’t valued and that’s where I come in! A voice for the underserved communities of SPS who look like me or have gone through similar situations. 

What issues matter most to you? Among the many multidimensional issues our district is facing, gun violence has been the most alarming for me and surely many others. The district isn’t doing nearly enough to combat it. Some steps we can take to reduce the risk of gun violence is enhancing security measures, implementing threat assessments and promoting adequate mental health support, so faculty can gauge whether a student poses a potential threat. Ultimately, working towards preventing deadly attacks in our district. 
 
Another issue that has been prevalent post-quarantine is the lack of motivation when it comes to schoolwork. I was in 9th grade when schools opened again, and it was an adjustment to say the least. Not only was that the case for me, but a lot of my peers were not doing their schoolwork. This made it hard for me because laziness is infectious.  

It worries me because a lot of students, not just high schoolers, don’t see a light at the end of the tunnel and are at a loss for goals/ambitions. Implementing career workshops and accommodating mental health could potentially help students regain ambition and motivation to work hard in school. 

I’ve always been passionate about speaking out against injustices. It’s unfortunate but I do face microaggressions quite often, and when I do, I have a hard time identifying whether it’s misogyny, islamophobia, xenophobia, or racism. As a School Board Student Member, I want to leave a positive impact on this issue – whether it’s advocating against these injustices or potentially editing the elementary curriculums so these internalized issues can be unraveled and reversed at an early age.  

That’s just one issue that’s very near and dear to me, but I assure you as a School Board Student Member, I plan to address more issues that have been plaguing our country.