Collinsville, Illinois – August 22, 2023 – During their August 2023 regular meeting, the Collinsville Community Unit School District #10 Board of Education approved Collinsville High School senior Ben Simpkins to serve as the district’s student school board member for the 2023-24 school year.
The CUSD 10 Student School Board Member provides a student voice on the board. The individual is selected annually from CHS seniors who apply to be considered for the position. They serve for one school year, attending regular monthly meetings of the Board of Education as a non-voting member.
Ben is president of the CHS Student Council and an active participant in Model U.N. He’s also part of the Collinsville Triad Maryville CEO entrepreneurship program, a member of National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Key Club, Spanish Club, Kahoks on the GO!, Saturday Scholars, cross country, Kahok Trap, and the CHS track team. In addition to his co-curricular activities, Ben is enrolled in AP courses and ranks in the top 3% of his graduating class.
Outside of school, Ben is accomplishing the Boy Scouts of America Eagle Scout rank by completing a project for Willoughby Farm in Collinsville. He is constructing five raised garden beds to accommodate people with physical challenges. Ben also works part-time at the Gateway Convention Center.
In his application, Ben wrote: “I would love to serve as the student school board member because as the student council president, I feel that these roles would work hand in hand with each other as they both take into account the best interests of the students. I grew up going to school within the CUSD 10 district as well and I would love to give back to our wonderful school district.”
“I enjoy working with others, as well as debating, as is shown by my interest in Model UN. Also politics have always been an interest of mine and this position would allow me to explore the world of politics as well as other areas of our local government a little further,” he added.
During his term, Ben would like to address the problem of vaping at school, improve club/activity choices for young students, and encourage physical activity in all grade levels.
“A student sees their school in a much different light than teachers or school board members,” says Ben, “Students experience the decisions that school administrators make. Allowing a student to provide their input allows those decisions to benefit the student body much more than one would think.”
Ben is the son of Benjamin and Maria Simpkins of Collinsville.