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 and Adaptability
• Creativity and Risk Taking
• Resiliency and 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 January 23, 2025, the Board recognized students from The Village for Early Childhood Education and Lenskie Elementary School during the Student Spotlight.

The Village for Early Childhood Education
The Village sponsored a food drive benefiting Blessings in a Backpack, a local organization that provides food on weekends for school-aged children across the country who might otherwise go hungry. As part of this food drive, teachers introduced several vocabulary words in the classroom, such as help, share, give, friends, neighbors, donate, collect, and safe. Overall, The Village collected more than 15 large bins of non-perishable foods. Far and above, there were three classrooms that collected the most.

Present at the Board of Education meeting to represent their classes in the Buffalo Classroom, the Elk Classroom, and the Blue Jay Classroom were Laird Moody, Taylor Steen, Cardyn Anderson, and Noah Pfaltzgraph.

These students and their peers did an amazing job supporting Blessings in a Backpack and helping kids in need. By thinking about others and working to make a difference, they are gaining GLOBAL AND CULTURAL AWARENESS and building strong CHARACTER, both of which are important Portrait of a Graduate traits to learn at a young age.

We want to celebrate these students and their classmates at The Village for taking action to support their community and helping those in need.

We are extremely proud of these students: Benjamin Lee, Neal Bennett, Garrix Le, George Belcher, Lincoln Loftheim, Maeve MacKenzie, Cardyn Anderson, Natalia Rivera Flores, Reaux Glenn, Wesley Orr, Vaeda Barnett, Jack Comeaux, Alice Hankins, Jovi Suhr, Mackenzie Thomas, Ava Aceves, Dean Tilley, Carter Franklin, Emma-Lee Brionez, Brooks Kapoor, Taylor Steen, Hugh Walter, Sophie Neumark, Nora Matz, Audrey Matthews, Leonel Uparela Kuntz, Giselle Rodriguez, Jane Bulkley, Avery Starbuck-Bourg, Ruviam Cohen, Vivin David, Laird Moody, Rowan Williams, Nolan Mosley, Noah Pfaltzgraph, Ali Fawad, Ryan Mantilla, Luka Zarkovic, Brooklyn Tran, Juniper Norris, Derek Marmolejo, Haru Becker, Reagan Shue, Eidan Leija-Molina, Winter Wans, Oliver Crozier-Keat, and Silas Mendoza.

Lenski Elementary School
Drew Mooney exemplifies the LPS Portrait of a Graduate in countless ways. As a kind and outgoing 5th grade leader at Lenski Elementary, Drew consistently inspires those around him.

This past summer, when Drew sprained his ankle and couldn’t participate in the sports he loves, he turned the setback into an opportunity. He challenged himself by learning and mastering how to solve a Rubik's Cube! When faced with a challenge, Drew demonstrated adaptability, resilience, and creativity, transforming an obstacle into a remarkable achievement.

Drew didn’t stop there—he proposed starting a Rubik's Cube Club at Lenski. He met with school administrators for approval and partnered with Ms. Wilhelm, who became his teacher sponsor. Drew’s initiative was met with enthusiasm as he promoted the club and welcomed 15 eager participants. The club was a huge success, teaching many students how to solve this complex puzzle.

Drew’s CREATIVITY, ADAPTABILITY, RESILIENCY, and leadership have sparked a wave of inspiration throughout Lenski, encouraging other students to share their unique gifts and talents with the school community.

Well done, Drew! You truly make Lenski—and LPS—a fantastic place to be!