Superintendent's Student Advisory
The Superintendent’s Student Advisory Team is a group of EHS students who share feedback, experiences, and perspectives on district practices, educational programming, and school culture to help share conversations to improve the overall school experience. These students meet regularly with the Superintendent and participate in ambassadorial events within their school, the district, and the community.
Meet the 2024-25 Superintendent's Student Advisory Team
Luke Slater, President
My name is Luke Slater, and I am in 12th grade. This is my second year on the board, and I am super excited to serve as president this year! I do many activities at EHS, including being in tech crew, an officer of Drama Club, a percussion section leader in our EHS Band, and a peer-to-peer tutor. I’m also a member of NHS, NEHS, SNHS, ITS, Tri-M, and Mu Alpha Theta. I also run camera and sound for a weekly service, paint, and cook in my free time. I’m thrilled to be able to represent our student body, continue to start new traditions, and lead our board as best as I can!
Malak Amer, Vice-President
I am Malak Amer and I am the vice president of the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Team. I joined this team because I think student representation in decision making is very important to the success of our district, and I would like to voice the student point of view regarding things about our schools. I am involved in many extracurriculars including, Educate, Announcements Crew, Spanish Honor Society, Care Closet, Ethics Bowl, HOSA, and Chess Club. Some of my hobbies are reading, chess, and table tennis. I am trilingual and enjoy studying all kinds of different academics. In the future, I would like to become a surgeon, and I would also like to help people facing difficulties around the world.
Audrey White, Secretary
My name is Audrey White, I am a senior, and I am the secretary of the Student Advisory Board. I am grateful to be involved in many other clubs and activities in and outside of school. I am involved in Team Moving Mountains, where I help raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, I am involved in club and the EHS girls soccer teams, as well as cross country and track and field. I also volunteer at the metro east humane society and with Peer Mediated Intervention and Instruction at the high school. I am also a soccer coach at EliteFt. I can wait to see what me and my peers will do this year!
Emma Birkenmeyer, Events Coordinator
My name is Emma Birkenmeyer, I’m in 11th grade, and this is my first year on the Student Advisory Board. I am on the EHS girls’ soccer varsity team and the JV team captain. Alongside that, I’m involved in many clubs at EHS, such as Team Moving Mountains, Key Club, and BPA. I also volunteer in Peer Mediated Intervention & Instruction and Unified Basketball at EHS. Outside of EHS I play NPL soccer and work as a soccer referee. I am excited to be a part of the Student Advisory Board.
Sophia Antonini
My name is Sophie Antonini and I am a sophomore. I am very excited to be a new member of the Superintendent's Advisory Board! During my time at EHS, I have competed on the varsity softball team and volunteered as a student helper for the Lincoln and Liberty softball teams. I am currently participating in Debate Club, Ethics Bowl and Peer-Mediated Instruction and Intervention. Outside of school, I have played select softball for 9 years and had the opportunity to compete all over America. In my free time I have played electric guitar for 4 years in a rock band that performs regularly at Edwardsville community events such as the Halloween parade as well as private shows. I also play guitar for my church whenever possible and participate in youth group. I would like to help all students at EHS, especially those who feel unheard or who are the targets of bullying. EHS should be a welcoming place where all voices are represented. I am honored to advocate for our student body and to find ways to improve everyone’s experience at EHS this year!
Schaefer Bates
Hi my name is Schaefer Bates and I’m an 11th grader at Edwardsville High School. Some of the many activities that I participate in at the High School include Key Club, Care Closet, and Boys Varsity Tennis. I also coach tennis and work with people with special needs for tennis. This is my first year as a member of the Student advisory board and I’m looking for the opportunity to help our schools grow and succeed.
Jayden Bettorf
My name is Jayden Bettorf. I am a junior at EHS and have been in the district since starting school. I play soccer and baseball at EHS. I hope to see you around the school and feel free to discuss our school or just chat!
Ella Carter
My Name is Ella Carter. I am in the EHS graduating class of 2026. I’m involved in drama club where I am a member of Thespian troupe 1534, choir, Tri-M Music Honor Society, Spanish Club, Spanish Honor Society, Peer Buddies, Veda’s Care Closet, Bel Canto, and I am the vocalist for a teen jazz band called “The Standards”. I joined the District 7 Student Advisory Board because I am interested in making the schools in our district the best possible environments for students of every grade level. I want to hear what ideas, feelings, or emotions students have about their school and be able to make their ideas a reality in some form. I strive to make sure every student wants to come to school, whether that be because of the environment, extra curriculars, or an interesting project in class. My hope is that my position on this committee will enhance communication between students, staff, the Board of Education, and the community.
Katherine Conklin
My name is Katherine Conklin, I am in 10th grade at the high school. I am a percussionist in the band for both concert and marching season. I am also a member of the ASL club. This is my first year on the Student Advisory team and this is my second year in District 7. I hope I can bring a fresh perspective to the district since I have only been in the district for my high school education.
Antonella De Avila
Antonella De Avila is a junior at Edwardsville High School. This is her first year serving on the student advisory team and hopes to establish a positive impact among her fellow classmates and other students. Antonella is involved in many clubs at the high school including Tiger Talk, Spanish Club, National Spanish Honors Society, and is an officer for Key Club. She is also involved in cross country in the fall and dances outside of school. She hopes to establish a diversity among students and to help students voice their opinion and help them to be confident in their actions. Antonella is excited to learn more about the student body and be on the Advisory Team.
Cate Dorsey
My name is Cate Dorsey, and I am a sophomore at Edwardsville High School. I am excited to serve my first year on the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Board! I am also involved in many clubs at EHS and in our community. I am actively involved in our performing arts department as a junior section leader for drumline in the EHS Marching Tigers, secretary of Tri-M Music Honor Society, a member of the Thespian Society, and a member of Drama Club. At EHS, I am also a member of French Club, Student Council, and Care Closet. Outside of school, I work with local youth by serving as the treasurer of my 4-H club and helping coach the St. Boniface 6th grade girls’ basketball team. I look forward to introducing new ideas and perspectives to this group to help promote positive change in the school district!
Amulya Girada
Hello! I’m Amulya Girada, and I’m thrilled to be starting my second year on the Superintendent's Student Advisory Team. In addition to this role, I serve as the Senior Student Representative for the ECUSD7 Board of Education, President of Business Professionals of America, Co-President of the Unplugged/Environmental Key Club, a member of Student Council, a lead for business presentations and letter writing in leukemia lymphoma society, and a Varsity Lacrosse player. In my free time, I enjoy running and visiting water parks. A fun fact about me is that I’m a certified skydiver, and I love seeking out adventures, especially those involving water. I’m eager to contribute new and constructive ideas to both the student advisory team and the board. I am also a member of the National Honor Society, National English Honor Society, and Mu Alpha Theta. I’m grateful for this opportunity and look forward to making a positive impact!
Kaylee Hauschild
My name is Kaylee Hauschild, and I am a Sophomore at Edwardsville High School. I am involved in multiple extracurricular activities, including Girls Basketball, Unified Track and Field, Key Club, Peer Mediated Intervention and Instruction, Care Closet, and Tiger Teachers of Tomorrow. In my free time I like to explore nature and read. I look forward to being able to represent the student body as a member of the Student Advisory Team!
Aubri Hollis
I am a sophomore at Edwardsville High School and on the JV field hockey team. Some of my favorite things to do are listen to music, read, and hang out with my friends. I am honored to be on the District 7 Student Advisory Board and represent my peers to the superintendent.
Mihlali Kapatamoyo
My name is Mihlali Kapatamoyo and I’m a senior at Edwardsville High School. I joined the SSO because I want to help within the school in various ways. I try to be a representative for athletes whilst also doing the same for people of color. I also enjoy helping the community out and always keeping a positive attitude. I plan to go into engineering, and play soccer for my country Zambia. I currently play with the Zambia U-20 Soccer team.
Veda Kommineni
Veda Kommineni is a senior at Edwardsville High School. At EHS, she is a varsity tennis player, the editor-in-chief of the yearbook, president & founder of the Edwardsville Care Closet, president of Science National Honors Society, and on the Ethics Bowl team. Outside of school, she spends a lot of time as the Business and Outreach lead of her FTC Robotics team, the WormGear Warriors. Veda is beyond thankful for the opportunity to be a part of the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Board and she looks forward to ensuring all students voices are heard.
Andrew McKey
My name is Andrew McKey and I am currently a junior at Edwardsville High School. While at EHS I have been a member of Business Professionals of America, National Spanish Honor Society, and play baseball for the Tigers. When I'm not at school I enjoy golfing and watching sports. I look forward to working with Dr. Shelton and the rest of the Student Advisory Team to discuss concerns within our school and also celebrate our successes.
Josie Proctor
Hi, my name is Josie Proctor. I am a junior at EHS. I am involved in many things throughout the school. I am the community outreach officer for Student Council, class historian for Class of 2026, and I am an active member in clubs such as key club, EPIC and Spanish Honor Society. I am honored to be a part of the advisory team, and I believe that I can bring a lot of different outlooks from the school from the things I am involved in. It’s very important to me that there is a strong connection between administrators and students!
Que Thomas
My name is Quilonda Thomas, you may know me as "Que" . I am so excited to be a member of our student advisory team. I am involved in many extracurricular activities, that include being the President of Black Student Union, being a part of, Film Club, Morning Announcements Crew, EHS Podcast Hosting, Drama Club and so much more I am proud to participate in. Outside of school I sing. I enjoy being outdoors when it's cool. Along with hanging out with friends, working and helping my community. In the future I would like to attend SIUE to start off and get my general studies out of the way ;) With being a new addition to a wonderful crew such as Student Advisory I can't wait to see the things we accomplish!
Libby Strahm
I am a senior this year at Edwardsville High School. I am the president of the Health and Medical Occupations club, the secretary of Unplugged, and the international ambassador for Spanish National Honor Society. I also work as a CNA at Meridian Village. In my free time I enjoy running on our community trails and going to my church youth group. In the future, I plan on studying chemistry and eventually becoming a physician assistant. I am excited to spend another year on the student advisory board and I cannot wait to see what we accomplish this year.
Aurora Wilhelm
Aurora Wilhelm is a junior at Edwardsville High School. She is a member of the Drama Club Publicity committee, earning Thespian Society membership after her freshman year. In addition, she is a member of Medical Occupations Club, Key Club (Service Representative), Pickel ball Club (Social Media Chair), Cards for Hospitalized Kids, and French Club. Aurora is serving on the Superintendent Student Advisory Board to positively amplify voices of peers while providing insights and feedback to administrators. She hopes to gain experience in leadership and teamwork. Upon graduation, Aurora plans to pursue a career in radiology.