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 January 25, 2024, the Board recognized groups of students from Heritage and Littleton high schools during the Student Spotlight. 

(click images below to enlarge)

Heritage High School

John Miller, a senior, embodies the Portrait of a graduate trait of Character. John joined Heritage as a junior, and immediately made a lasting impression on the community. Every day, he welcomes students by holding the front main entrance doors open. He greets his classmates with a smile, high five, or fist bump. His Spanish teacher shared, “John comes to class with a smile and is a valued member of our class. He makes friends easily and is always positive.” Assistant Principal Kimberly Chipman said, “We are lucky to have John Miller as a student at Heritage!”

Jaiden Trujillo, another senior, exemplifies the Portrait of a Graduate trait of Critical Thinking. Jaiden has truly thrived over her four years at Heritage High School. She is a great young leader with a smile that Assistant Principal Kimberly Chipman describes as “1,000 degree mega watt that puts her peers and other students at ease.” Jaiden is kind and welcoming, making sure those around her feel like they are part of the community. This year, she started a coffee cart to allow students with special needs to learn community-based skills. Jaiden initiated this idea, donated materials, created a business model, and met with district nutrition services to create the cart. Jaiden makes the staff at Heritage proud of her ambition, perseverance, and grit. She is a true Eagle who has made Heritage a better place!

Renee Sauder is another senior at Heritage, and she is a great example of the Portrait of a Graduate trait of Global/Cultural Awareness. Not only is Renee a great student and a valued member of the band, but she is also a good person. A few years ago on a snowy day, students in a class were grumbling about not having a snow day. The teacher in the class tried to educate the students about all of the factors the superintendent has to consider like access to food and heat. The goal was to give students perspective and hope they could see the larger picture. A few days later Renee came back and brought some King Soopers gift cards and hoped she could donate them to any student in the Littleton community who might be food insecure. She didn't want attention, didn't want to make it a big deal, but wanted to do something to help. Renee has continued to support the Littleton community since that day, and even though she does not want the recognition, she is special and we want to recognize her for her heart.

Ava Packer, a senior, is a shining example of the Academic Skills and Creativity traits on the Portrait of a Graduate wheel. Last semester, Ava earned Mainstage Recognition at the Colorado State Thespian Convention. Ava's bittersweet film, "A Warmth in the Snow," was awarded Best Animated Short. Ava did everything on this project herself--directing, writing, animating, and sound designing--no small feat in the medium of animation. With this award, she has been recognized as Best in State by Colorado State Thespians and the Educational Theatre Association.

Elleana Dates, who goes by Ellie, is a junior at Heritage, and she embodies the Portrait of a Graduate trait of Creativity. Last semester, Ellie also earned Mainstage Recognition at the Colorado State Thespian Convention. Ellie Dates's spellbinding rendition of "The Ballad of Jane Doe" earned her the opportunity to perform in front of more than 3,000 people at the convention's Closing Ceremonies. This is the first time in recent Heritage history that a student has earned this distinction for musical theatre. With this award, she has been recognized as Best in State by Colorado State Thespians and the Educational Theatre Association.

Littleton High School

Caroline May, a sophomore, is an officer in LHS DECA, and she is launching a much-needed community project called the LHS Dementia Cafe. This program will be a monthly gathering of individuals with memory loss along with their caregivers in a safe and engaging environment to provide support and connection. Caroline demonstrates the Portrait of a Graduate traits of Communication, Character, Creativity, Global/Cultural Awareness and Collaboration in creating and running this new program. The LHS Dementia Cafe will be a comfortable, social gathering for people struggling with different types of mild dementia to come and play memory games and do other cognitive-boosting activities with our DECA members while their caretakers get the opportunity to network with each other as well as hear guest speakers who will offer information for regarding available resources, etc. For many, the diagnosis of dementia can be alienating, as families don't know how to react and friends often pull away. Caroline seeks to help alleviate this alienation by providing an opportunity for normalcy and a place of support for all those impacted by dementia. Caroline is an important member of the LHS DECA officer team and can always be relied upon to take on any new project with enthusiasm and efficiency. She will also be attending the DECA State Leadership Conference in February for the second year in a row.  

Sarah Lamey, Phoebe France, and Gabe Montoya, all juniors, have just created the Dyslexia for a Day Program with LHS DECA. These dedicated students are showing our community what it is like to be dyslexic in our current education system.  Sarah, Phoebe, and Gabe exemplify the Portrait of a Graduate traits of Communication, Global/Cultural Awareness, Character and Creativity to effectively run Dyslexia for a Day Simulations. The simulations guide participants through two reading simulations and two writing simulations to offer insight into the challenges students with dyslexia face - including the social and emotional impact dyslexia can have on students every day. Their goal is to have participants gain a greater understanding about what dyslexia is and is not, deepen their empathy and expertise, and learn more about effective accommodations that are necessary for many students’ growth. In addition to taking on a new way to advocate this social issue, these students are all attending the DECA State Leadership Conference in February for the second year in a row.  As DECA Officers, they have been instrumental in helping the club be successful.