The annual Leading Out Loud (LOL) Conference brought energy, collaboration, and inspiration to Queen Creek High School on September 4 as students from across Queen Creek Unified School District gathered to grow as leaders. Unique to QCUSD, the LOL program gives students the chance to use their voices, build confidence, and influence change on their campuses.
“LOL is huge,” said Bernier. “When we started this conference, we were so small, and it has just blossomed and grown and gotten bigger and better every year. It is unique to our district, and it gives students opportunities that no other district offers.”
Breakout sessions throughout the day focused on real-world leadership skills. Students explored participatory budgeting with Robin Bayles, director of educational technology and virtual learning, learned about the power of teamwork in All In with Erika Donovan, and discovered new ways to spark school spirit.
Bayles emphasized how LOL creates space for students who may not see themselves as leaders at first. “The biggest impact it has is empowering our students to be true leaders on their campus and giving them the tools and support to do incredible things,” Bayles said. “One of the great things about LOL is that students who would not necessarily take on that leadership role, but definitely have that potential, are sought out and recommended by their teachers.”
For many students, that recognition was a powerful motivator. “It was exciting, and it made me feel like I could really step up and do this,” said Mikayla, a QCHS sophomore. She shared that leading out loud means “really putting myself out there to help people. When you do it so everybody can see, I feel like it makes a bigger impact.”
Another QCHS student, senior Lily B., said she felt honored to be nominated. “For my teacher to think of me two years later to be involved in this was so heartwarming,” she said. Lily especially enjoyed a group activity that challenged students to collaborate on budget decisions. “It was really cool to see everyone’s ideas and be able to express your own thoughts and be heard,” she said.
Nicole Konrath, QCUSD’s K-12 social studies academic coach, explained how experiences like LOL go beyond the classroom. “It gives students a chance to participate in the democratic process,” she said. “Sometimes it is students who are shy or quiet in class, and at LOL you see them shine.”
The day also included community service projects, a keynote address, and closing sessions that encouraged students to plan next steps. For students and staff alike, the conference reinforced QCUSD’s mission of developing well-rounded learners who are prepared to lead in their schools and beyond.
As Bayles put it, “We know we have strong academics, but we go beyond that. We build the whole student and give them opportunities to grow as individuals and be leaders, not only here, but in their own communities.”