Student Board Members

The Board's two Student Board members represent over a million students statewide. Their voices play an important role in shaping the Board’s work and can make a difference for generations of Washington students to come.  

Meet Our Student Board Members 

Abby Wu

Selected September, 2025 
Term expires June, 2026 

Abby Wu is a senior at Pullman High School in the Pullman School District. She is a competitive varsity swimmer and a Running Start student with a passion for digital media and video production. At school, she often helps operate her school’s livestream and sports production programs. She enjoys English and Political Science courses, as both allow her to critically engage with current events and societal movements.  

An accomplished student leader, Abby serves as a Washington Youth Alliance Chapter Leader and a member of the Association of Washington Student Leaders. In these roles, she has been a vocal advocate for students across the state, and she is excited to bring that same advocacy to her work with the Board.  

Outside of school, Abby enjoys reading, exploring nature, and practicing portrait photography. After high school, she hopes to attend college on the East Coast and pursue a career as a Foreign Service Officer.

Riley Acheson 

Selected July, 2025 
Term expires June, 2027 

Riley is a rising junior at Cashmere High School in the Cashmere School District, where she is an active member of the DECA club and National Honor Society. She also coaches and choreographs for Cashmere’s middle and high school drill teams.  

Outside of school, Riley is an active member of her local church and spends her summers serving as a camp counselor at Camas Meadows Bible Camp, a place she considers a second home. A published poet and passionate artist, Riley regularly participates in local art competitions and expresses her creativity through painting, crafting, and performance.  

Riley joined the Board because she wanted to ensure that student voices are heard in decisions shaping Washington’s education system.  She is excited to advocate for an education system that meets the needs, desires, and goals of all students.  

In the future, Acheson hopes to attend Central Washington University and eventually become an educator.

What Do Student Board Members Do? 

Student board members are trusted with the same responsibilities as adult members. They attend all Board meetings, contribute to discussions, and vote on policy changes. In fact, Washington is one of only a handful of states that gives students full voting power on the State Board of Education. 

In addition to participating in meetings, student board members meet with lawmakers and other elected officials to advocate for policies that improve Washington’s education system for students. 

Additional activities may include attending community forums, site visits, and other outreach and engagement events developed by the Board and partner organizations. Student members also represent the Board at community events across the state. 

Student members serve a two-year term, starting in the summer of their junior year and concluding on June 30 of the second year of their term.

See Our Student Members in Action! 

Want to Serve on the Board? Here’s How to Apply! 

Each year, the State Board invites current sophomores to apply for a student board member position. Applications typically open in early January and close in late March. 

Applicants go through a competitive selection process that concludes with interviews conducted by a panel of fellow students from across the state, along with representatives from the State Board of Education and the Association of Washington Student Leaders. 

About This Year’s Application Process 

• Applications open: Wednesday, January 7, 2026 

• Applications close: Tuesday, March 31, 2026 

• Finalists interviewed virtually: Before May 1st, 2026 

Application components include: 

• A completed application 

• A letter of support from a school representative (administrator, educator, counselor, etc.) 

• A letter of support from someone of your choosing (family member, coach, mentor, friend, etc.) 

What Makes a Student Qualified & Eligible?

We are looking for students who are willing to commit the time and energy required to represent their peers. You do not need prior experience in education policy or formal student leadership to apply. 

We value students who can understand and communicate the experiences of a wide range of students—especially those who have not been well served by our education system. This includes students whose experiences may involve academic challenges, alternative learning pathways, or navigating school while facing barriers outside of the classroom. 

With that, there are a few basic requirements. Eligible students must: 

• Reside in Washington State and attend a public or private school during their term (2026–2027). 

• Be a current sophomore (rising Junior) at the time of selection. 

• Have a passion for improving K-12 public education. 

• Be able to devote sufficient time to Board responsibilities, including attending scheduled State Board of Education Board meetings. 

• Have a positive academic and/or extracurricular record, which may be demonstrated by grades, activities, accomplishments, and/or recommendations of peers, educators, or community members.

• Commit to making up missed schoolwork due to Board meetings and related activities.

If you meet these criteria, you are qualified to apply! 

What Do Student Board Members Receive for Serving? 

Student board members are reimbursed for travel expenses and may receive a stipend of up to $100 per day for Board meetings and other required Board activities. 

Beyond compensation, serving on the Board is a unique professional development opportunity and a powerful platform for student voice. Student Board members help shape statewide education policy by representing students across Washington and  sharing perspectives and lived experience that might otherwise go unheard. Students gain leadership skills, policy experience, and professional connections that can support future goals after high school. 

Student members work alongside and meet policy and education leaders from across the state, many of whom can serve as strong professional references for career, college, or military applications. 

While there is no direct scholarship tied to this role, Board service is a meaningful credential that can strengthen scholarship and application materials. 

What Kind of Time Commitment Should Applicants Expect? 

Serving on the State Board of Education is a significant commitment. The Board holds seven regularly scheduled meetings each year, and students may spend up to 20 hours on Board-related work during meeting weeks. 

Meetings often require travel to various locations across the state. State Board staff work closely with students, families, and schools to coordinate travel and ensure that absences related to Board service are excused. (You can view the 2026 meeting schedule here.) 

Occasionally, the Board may hold special meetings to address urgent issues outside the regular schedule. Students are also encouraged to participate in Board committee meetings, which typically occur between full Board meetings. Committee meetings usually last about one hour and may take place one to two times per month, often outside the regular school day.