At their August regular monthly meeting, the Collinsville Community Unit School District #10 Board of Education approved and welcomed Collinsville High School senior Brion Brown as the district's student school board member for the 2024-25 school year.
The CUSD 10 student school board member is a non-voting, student voice on the board of education. The position also serves on the CHS Student Advisory Board, providing a bridge between the board of education/administration and the student body.
In his application, Brion wrote, "I have always wanted to serve as a student school board member because I recognize the significance of a student's voice in our society and, moreover, how often that voice is underrepresented, so I want to be the person that can offer that perspective and that input for the school board....I know that having a student on the school board that has firsthand experience of the challenges our schools face, and who interacts with fellow students on a daily basis, can help better represent the student body within the board.... "
Brion has an outstanding academic record - ranked in the top 2% of the senior class - that he balances with a long list of talents and co-curricular activities. However, it is his interest in community service and helping others that led him to apply for the position of student school board member.
"I have always had a passion for community service. Being able to be active in my community and assist those in need is a major part of fulfilling my responsibility as an upstanding citizen," he said, "Also, community service allows me to establish connections between myself and the individuals and organizations that live in and serve in our city, as well as help me get into the habit of helping others for later on in life."
A four-year member of CHS Bands, Brion has been the drum major of the Marching Kahoks for the last two. He is the leader of the percussion section, and has consistently won awards and festival recognition.
He is also a member of National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society and the Illinois Music Honor Society. He represents CHS in Scholar Bowl and services as treasurer of the Class of 2025 Executive Board. Brion has been on the CHS Math Team for four years, competes on the calculator team, and has been a regional and state qualifier.
During his term, Brion plans to focus on student mental health, acceptance and career exploration.
The first CUSD 10 student school board member served in the 2015-16 school year. Students interested in the position apply through Collinsville High School in spring of their junior year.