Queen Creek Unified School District (QCUSD) recently brought Lead Out Loud (LOL) Club students together for the annual LOL conference, a day designed to inspire students, build confidence, and help them discover the leader within themselves.
LOL Club is a participatory budgeting program that gives students a voice in how their school community can improve. Students work together to identify needs, develop ideas, and ultimately allow their student body to vote on how designated funds should be spent.
The conference grew from QCUSD’s strategic plan and its commitment to developing the whole child. Superintendent Dr. Perry Berry explained that the district wanted to be intentional about creating leadership opportunities for students.
The conference also recognizes that leadership is not limited to students who hold traditional leadership positions.
“We recognize that there are a lot of leadership opportunities in our district through student council, through DECA and all these organizations, but we really feel like there’s a need for more leadership opportunities,” Superintendent Dr. Berry said. “We wanted to target students that were not necessarily in those clubs and have a lot of leadership opportunities for them.”
Throughout the day, students participated in sessions focused on kindness, community service, school spirit, and participatory budgeting. Activities included creating kindness bracelets and painting rocks with positive messages to share throughout the community.
Fourth-grade student Lennox M. created a rock with a simple but powerful message.
“I put ‘You’re awesome’ because some people don’t think that they’re amazing and that they matter,” Miller said.
For seventh-grader Bella J., the conference was an opportunity to practice leadership by helping others feel included.
“I like being a leader and helping people, like, fit in,” Jackson said.
Other students were inspired by seeing their peers embrace leadership. Crismon High School junior Weston T., who was nominated by a teacher to participate, said, “Someone sees leadership in me,” adding that it was exciting to see “multiple people wanting to grow in their leadership for people in their school.”
Robin Bayles, who helps guide students through the participatory budgeting process, emphasized the importance of giving students real responsibility.
“It’s all about building leadership within our students,” Bayles said. “They have a huge role in all of that. It’s completely driven by our students.”
Superintendent Dr. Berry hopes students leave the conference understanding that leadership is more than a title.
“A lot of times students feel like a leader is someone that has a position, but in reality it’s your attitude and your actions,” Berry said.
Ultimately, the LOL conference is about helping students recognize their own ability to make a difference on their campuses and beyond.
“I want them to be inspired and see the leadership in them,” Superintendent Dr. Berry said, “so that they can go back and impart that information at their schools and in their communities.”