Queen Creek Unified programs give students a voice

The Queen Creek Unified School District promotes leadership and civic engagement among students through its Leading Out Loud club and school participatory budgeting initiatives.

The LOL club is a platform where students such as Rylan C. of Eastmark High School have found their voices as leaders.

Rylan was introduced to the LOL club by her middle school social studies teacher.

“I’ve always wanted to get involved and LOL gave me the opportunity to step up and make a difference,” she stated in a district press release. “It’s helped me be more confident in encouraging my friends and peers to get involved and vote in the participatory budgeting process.”

The budgeting process is a key element of the LOL club and allows students to propose and vote on projects to improve their schools.

For Rylan, the experience has reframed her leadership skills and her perspective on civic engagement.

“It’s like a smaller version of voting in a real election,” she stated in the release. “It gives us a feel for how important it is to have a say in what happens in our school community.”

Fern Otero, dean of students at Eastmark High, has witnessed the impact school participatory budgeting has had on the school’s culture.

“Students are realizing that their ideas matter,” he stated in the release. “For example, one of Eastmark’s earliest (school participatory budgeting ) projects was the creation of a sensory room — a place where students can decompress and take a moment for themselves. It was an idea that resonated with the student body, and seeing it come to life showed them they could make a real difference.”

Another example of school participatory budgeting’s impact occurred at Jack Barnes Elementary, where students were tasked with brainstorming ideas to improve their school.

While many suggestions focused on playground equipment and sports gear, one student took a different approach.

“A student pointed out that while she loved the swings, students in wheelchairs couldn’t use them,” Otero stated. “She proposed adding an accessible swing, even though it wouldn’t benefit her directly. It was such a selfless and thoughtful idea, and it reflected the true purpose of these programs — to teach students to think beyond themselves and consider the needs of others.”

Both Otero and Rylan C. stress the importance of promoting leadership and civic involvement across all schools.

“There are so many students who want to make a difference but don’t know how to start,” Rylan stated. “Programs like LOL and (school participatory budgeting) give them a chance to channel their energy and ideas into something meaningful.”