The Student Spotlight segment of each Board meeting celebrates a student or a group of students who are living out the Portrait of an LPS Graduate, which highlights the life skills each LPS graduate should have. Tomorrow’s workers will succeed by constantly adapting to the changing world around them, and today’s students must begin by learning and developing life skills - where every student should be well-adjusted, thriving, and balanced.

Additionally, students will develop skills in:

• Communication
• Global/Cultural Awareness
• Character
• Critical Thinking
• Problem Solving
• Adaptability
• Creativity
• Risk-Taking
• Resiliency
• Collaboration
• Self Advocacy
• All surrounding Rigorous and Relevant Academic Skills

LPS strives to implement opportunities to grow these skills at every level of education and recognize students of all ages. At their regularly scheduled meeting on August 24, 2023, the Board of Education recognized a group of students who participated in a panel discussion with LPS’s director of nutrition services, Jessica Gould, at the School Nutrition Association’s Annual National Conference over the summer: Grey Giannotti and Halle Jacobson from Wilder Elementary; Kate Grantham and Libby Weyhrich from Newton Middle School; Ayden Rivas from Arapahoe High School; and Madeline Dean from Littleton High School.

These students took time out of their own summer breaks to participate in the School Nutrition Association’s National Conference. They were asked to taste test many items on the show floor and then participate in an on-stage group discussion about what they saw and tasted. While on the show floor, the students were respectful, engaged, and provided both positive and constructive feedback. Students asked thoughtful questions, and their character was highlighted in their conversations with vendors. 

As students were mic'd up for their discussion on the stage at the Bellco Theatre in the Denver Convention Center, the risk they were taking to get on stage and share their thoughts with a big audience was palpable. After a quick, deep breath, these students rose to the occasion and did an outstanding job throughout the conversation. They were articulate, unique with their responses, and they had fun. 

After the presentation, many attendees said that this session was the highlight of their conference. These students truly exemplify the Portrait of a Graduate traits of Communication, Character, and Risk-Taking. These students were featured on 9 News in a story about this event.

Thank you to these students for taking the time to provide such valuable feedback to vendors and other school nutrition professionals! It’s really helpful for them to hear from students, and you all represented yourselves and Littleton Public Schools positively and professionally. LPS is really proud to have student ambassadors like you working to make a difference in the lives of other students.