WALLA WALLA - Today Superintendent Dr. Wade Smith and students from his Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council met with the Steering Committee from United Way of the Blue Mountains’ Elevate project to provide input and insight. Over a two-hour window, students shared stories, suggestions and unique perspectives, helping provide powerful context from the viewpoint of a youth navigating today's high school experience.
Among many topics discussed, students’ reiterated the importance of career-connected learning, the high cost of college education, the need to better support students and families through post-secondary planning and access, and the significant impact mental health is having on youth today.
“As former Superintendent Dr. Wolf always shared, we are preparing students for their futures and not our past,” notes Superintendent Smith. “It is critical that we promote student voice and agency every change we get so that we are focusing our efforts on the right solutions and strategies for the challenges they are actually facing.” Elevate leaders left the meeting with a profoundly better understanding of the obstacles children now face across our communities, in addition the remarkable young adults and future leaders we are developing.”
Elevate is a community partnership of diverse, cross-sector members working collaboratively to help strengthen the educational pipeline, from cradle through career. The workgroup includes educators, students, government, business, parents and the community at large in its work.
To learn more about Elevate, you can visit their website here: https://www.uwbluemt.org/elevate
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