District 88 earns two state-level INSPRA Distinguished Service Awards

On May 13, District 88 was honored with two Distinguished Service Awards from the Illinois Chapter of the National School Public Relations Association (INSPRA). That statewide program recognizes public education advocates for their support of local schools and districts.

  1. Willowbrook senior Eric Veal Jr. received an Award of Excellence (the highest award level) in the Student category. To watch the presentation about Veal, go to https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rIYWjRCouXu49PV6jatr3A7WMb-mdmnW/view?usp=sharing. 

It’s rare a student understands complex issues such as equity and inclusion to a level where he or she transforms the culture of a school. But DuPage High School District 88 student Eric Veal Jr., a senior at Willowbrook High School, has a passion to ensure all students and staff feel they belong, and he has the depth of knowledge to take tangible action steps that lead to change.

Veal chairs Willowbrook’s Black Organization for Student Success (BOSS) and is a member of the school’s Youth Equity Stewardship (YES!) program, which strives to prepare students to recognize and learn from the diversity around them. When schools transitioned to a virtual environment because of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, Veal took a leadership role in making sure everyone at Willowbrook stayed connected and remained focused on equity through establishing a biweekly student news channel that he cofounded and cohosts with senior Penelope DelValle. Veal also helped develop two courses at District 88 – United States History: American Mosaic and Equity and Justice in America – resulting in students being able to earn college credit with Elmhurst University.

Veal’s advocacy work extends beyond Willowbrook and District 88. He has served on the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) Student Advisory Council since 2020-21 and is the organization’s first black President this year. He was appointed by the ISBE to sit on a task force to support the Jett Hawkins Law, and he assisted with implementing the ISBE’s Culturally Responsive Teaching and Learning Standards. Veal also made Illinois history by being appointed as the first student to co-chair a legislatively mandated task force, the ISBE Educational Equity Task Force. To read the full nomination that was submitted, go to https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nMnf-h9GEGrFR_6NtJsPkbVkp_sBdeP7Aeno3ivXnuM/edit?usp=sharing.

  1. The student news channels at Addison Trail and Willowbrook received an Award of Excellence (the highest award level) in the Team category.

DuPage High School District 88 (which is comprised of Addison Trail and Willowbrook high schools) fosters an environment of inclusivity and belonging, and the district began its equity journey in 2014. Students have participated in this process through the Youth Equity Stewardship (YES!) program, which strives to prepare students to recognize and learn from the diversity around them. When schools had to transition to remote learning because of COVID-19, that didn’t stop students from wanting to expand their equity work with YES! They continued to meet online and had a desire to stay connected and remain focused on expanding cultural competency in District 88. The students developed a plan in May 2020 to implement a student-led news channel to share local, state and national events and news.

Bringing this initiative to life involves technology staff, advisers, student broadcasters and a financial investment to provide a studio setting. With everyone’s teamwork and passion, we were able to launch AT News (at Addison Trail) and The Brooks Channel (at Willowbrook) in September 2020. The segments are aired on TVs throughout the school, played during the school’s resource period and e-mailed to staff and students.

“The purpose of starting the student news channels is to help enhance cultural competency and ensure students and staff are well-versed in global, local and school culture,” said Willowbrook senior Eric Veal Jr., cofounder and cohost of The Brooks Channel, along with senior Penelope DelValle. “The best thing about District 88 is the openness and readiness of administrators and staff members to push what’s next. Supporting us in starting the student news channels is just one example.” To read the full nomination that was submitted, go to https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nMnf-h9GEGrFR_6NtJsPkbVkp_sBdeP7Aeno3ivXnuM/edit?usp=sharing.

During its May 9 meeting, the District 88 Board of Education recognized the students and staff members who received these awards.