Students from across Litchfield Elementary School District took center stage during the Nov. 3 governing board meeting, sharing how school leadership programs are helping them develop confidence, communication skills and community involvement.
The meeting included recognition of third- through fifth-grade students who demonstrated high proficiency or exceptional growth on the spring 2026 Arizona's Academic Standards Assessment in English language arts and mathematics.
Students from eight elementary schools were recognized for their academic accomplishments.
The board also heard presentations from student service organizations at Corte Sierra Elementary, Wigwam Creek Middle School and Western Sky Middle School.
At Corte Sierra, members of the K-Kids club (also known as the Corte Community Helpers) described efforts to support their school community, including plans to help the campus recover from storm damage.
Students reported losing numerous trees, a soccer goal and shade structures during the storm.
"I like trying to help our school campus recover," one student told board members.
The club, which has 32 members, plans additional service projects, including holiday activities and a canned food drive.
At Wigwam Creek, Builders Club representatives discussed community service efforts, including participation in Goodyear's Make a Difference Day and a car wash that raised $63.
The club plans a Nov. 16-20 food drive benefiting St. Mary's Food Bank.
Western Sky Middle School students highlighted service projects supporting local families, military personnel and community organizations.
Board member Kimberly Moran praised the students for developing skills that extend beyond the classroom.
"How to be a good leader, how to listen to folks, how to communicate, how to serve others," Moran said, describing the skills students were practicing.
The board also heard from students involved in Leader in Me, a schoolwide leadership and character development initiative.
Michaela Syke, a Canyon View High School senior and former Verrado Heritage student, said the lessons have continued to influence her participation in mentoring and student leadership programs.
"It's not just a curriculum you learn once and brush off," Syke said. "It's a learning experience that will carry out with you for the rest of your life in a positive way."
Verrado Heritage representatives also reported the school had earned 94.6 accountability points, its highest score in four years, and had achieved Lighthouse recertification in 2026.
The presentations highlighted how student leadership opportunities can extend from elementary school into high school and community service.
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Meet Stacy Stacy Mantle is joining the team at Independent Newsmedia, Inc. as an Education Solutions journalist, thanks to a grant from the Arizona Community Collaborative. She has a long history in education that ranges from teaching junior high and middle school to developing curriculum and standards-based assessments.
Community: A longtime advocate for animal welfare, Stacy is deeply involved in rescue efforts and volunteers with several nonprofit organizations.
Random Fact: Once upon a time, she shared her home with a pet coyote and two wolf hybrids. The experiences were wild enough to become the subject of her first book!
Education: She holds a BA in English with a minor in Political Science, a Post-baccalaureate in Secondary Education, and an MBA with a emphasis on Marketing.
Hobbies: In her spare time, Stacy writes fast-paced urban fantasy novels, crafts small-batch artisan soap, and is always up for hiking or off-roading through the Arizona wilderness with her husband of 23 years.
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