Student leadership in action is the highlight of this episode of Learning in Lake Oswego. Several of our high school students are members of the Oregon Youth Leadership Alliance (OYLA), a student-run organization dedicated to youth leadership and networking across Oregon. Recently, they helped organize and host the 2026 BIPOC Student Leadership Conference at Lakeridge High School, bringing together students, nonprofit leaders, and elected officials from across the Portland Metro area to focus on leadership, advocacy, networking, and belonging.

Tara Reddy and Layla Riquelme-Cheung are two of the student organizers behind the conference. They share what it takes to plan a regional, student-led event, why creating spaces for BIPOC students and welcoming allies matters, and how young leaders are building connections and shaping their communities.

Dr. Jennifer Schiele, Superintendent, LOSD

Mary Kay Larson, Executive Director of Communications, LOSD

Tara Reddy, Student, Lakeridge High School

Layla Riquelme-Cheung, Student, Lakeridge High School

To learn more about the topics we discussed, ask a question, or share ideas for future episodes, please visit LOSDSchools. org. And remember to like and follow us wherever you get your podcasts. Thank you for engaging with Learning in Lake Oswego. We appreciate your support and look forward to having you with us for our next episode.

Reading is foundational to everything we do in schools. Across Oregon and the nation, too many children are struggling to meet early literacy benchmarks. While our teachers and families are working incredibly hard to support young readers, literacy is not something schools can do alone. It takes time, consistency, partnership, and a shared belief that reading opens doors.

In this episode, we explore one powerful example of that partnership in action: the SMART Reading program.

Active in one of our elementary schools and serving children across Oregon for more than 30 years, SMART Reading connects trained volunteers with students to build confidence, skills, and, most importantly, the joy of reading.

Together, we discuss why early literacy matters now more than ever; how consistent one-on-one reading time makes a difference; the power of community volunteers in supporting student success; and what it looks like when a child discovers the joy of reading. This episode is a reminder that literacy is a shared responsibility, and when schools and community partners work together, students thrive.

Dr. Jennifer Schiele, Superintendent, LOSD

Mary Kay Larson, Executive Director of Communications, LOSD

Lisa Stephens, Instructional Specialist, River Grove Elementary School

Kevin Faris, SMART Reading Volunteer and Lake Oswego Resident

Lukas Gardner, Kindergartener, River Grove Elementary School

To learn more about the topics we discussed, ask a question, or share ideas for future episodes, please visit LOSDSchools. org. And remember to like and follow us wherever you get your podcasts. Thank you for engaging with Learning in Lake Oswego. We appreciate your support and look forward to having you with us for our next episode.

In this episode of Learning in Lake Oswego, we’re diving into speech and debate in middle school, one of the most powerful ways students build confidence, sharpen critical thinking, and learn how to communicate respectfully, even when perspectives differ.

Joining us are Jay Ashiknos, a teacher at Lakeridge Middle School, and Connor Rozgo, a seventh grader experiencing speech and debate firsthand. Together, they share what speech and debate looks like in middle school classrooms, why it resonates with students, and how it supports skills that extend far beyond the podium. Tune in to hear how students are learning to think deeply, speak confidently, and engage thoughtfully with the world around them.

Dr. Jennifer Schiele, Superintendent, LOSD

Mary Kay Larson, Executive Director of Communications, LOSD

Jay Ashkinos, Teacher, Lakeridge Middle School

Connor Rozgo, Student, Lakeridge Middle School

To learn more about the topics we discussed, ask a question, or share ideas for future episodes, please visit LOSDSchools. org. And remember to like and follow us wherever you get your podcasts. Thank you for engaging with Learning in Lake Oswego. We appreciate your support and look forward to having you with us for our next episode.