Take Five with Destiny S., Honorary Student Board Member

Take Five is a series that highlights some of the many members of the CPS community who are going above and beyond for our schools. If you know someone who is making a difference, nominate them to be featured here.

Today, we’re thrilled to spotlight Destiny S., our District’s Honorary Student Board Member. A senior at Ogden International High School, Destiny has been serving in this role since the start of the 2025-26 school year and will be attending Stanford University in the fall.

As the Honorary Student Board Member, Destiny represents the CPS student body by attending the monthly Chicago Board of Education meetings and advocating for student voice on behalf of herself and her peers. She also serves as a member of a District-level student voice committee. Destiny applied for the position because she was excited about the opportunity to make sure students who feel unheard or attend smaller schools are represented by the Board.

Destiny has always been passionate about student voice and has been involved in student government since her freshman year. However, she was also a quieter kid, and stepping into leadership roles could be a challenge for her. But Destiny thinks it’s important for students to not let their fear stop them from speaking up.

“It’s natural to be hesitant, but nothing will change if we don’t take action, speak up, and ask for what we need,” she says. “The moments we’re scared and act anyway is when we really learn and grow.”

The application to become the District’s Honorary Student Board Member for the 2026-27 school year is open now through 5 p.m. on Friday, April 24, 2026. All rising juniors and seniors at CPS who are interested in gaining leadership experience and shaping the future of the District are encouraged to apply at cps.edu/HSBMapplication. For more information, please email studentboardmember@cps.edu.

Which issues impacting CPS students are you most passionate about?

Mental health access. The world is changing, and I think there's a lack of mental health care specifically for youth. I'm really interested in psychology, so that's where my natural focus goes. Another thing I’m passionate about is student transportation issues. I really wanted to represent how important it is to have safe, reliable, and affordable transportation from a student’s perspective.

What are your proudest moments from your time as the Honorary Student Board Member?

The first moment that comes to mind is when I spoke during the October 2025 Board meeting about how the heavy immigration enforcement presence in the city was impacting students. Another standout moment was the student roundtable about mental health and immigration that I co-facilitated with another student leader. It was a beautiful thing to be a part of.

What advice do you have for the students who are considering applying to become the next Honorary Student Board Member?

Do it. I think CPS students are truly some of the most incredible, talented, smartest people out there. We live in such an interesting place in a diverse world, and our voices are powerful and needed. You will meet so many people and make amazing connections that can bring opportunities your way that you can’t even imagine. If I went back in time, I would apply again, a thousand times over.

What do you like doing outside of school?

I really love watching movies and TV shows. I’ve also recently fallen back in love with writing, and I love listening to music and playing vinyls in my free time.

Where do you see yourself in the future?

In college, I see myself meeting a lot of people, taking classes, joining clubs, and being a part of many things. Further down the road, I see myself exploring politics and continuing to advocate for youth.