Perspectives with Dr. Ward - Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools

Two Schools, Two Juniors, One Honest Conversation

• Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools • Season 1 • Episode 4

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Two schools, two juniors, and one honest conversation about high school life and preparing  for senior year and life after graduation. In this episode, Dr. Ward sits down with Eastlake North’s Drew Dingeldein and Willoughby South’s Maddie Crook. Together, they’re opening up about the people and the moments that shaped them, the teachers who impacted their journey and the extracurriculars where they found a real sense of belonging. Keep listening for a genuine glimpse into the laughs, the lessons, and the future hopes of the next generation.

Speaker

Welcome to Perspectives with Willoughby Eastlake City School Superintendent, Dr. Patrick Ward. Two schools, two juniors, and one honest conversation about high school life and preparing for senior year and life after graduation. In this episode, Dr. Ward sits down with Eastlake North's Drew Dingledine and Willoughby South's Maddie Crook. Together, they're opening up about the people and the moments that shaped them, the teachers who impacted their journey, and the extracurriculars where they found a real sense of belonging. Keep listening for a genuine glimpse into the laughs, the lessons, and the future hopes of the next generation.

Speaker 2

And so today I'm joined on our Perspectives podcast by two distinguished guests from the Willoughby East Lake Schools family. And so we have with us both a South and a North student today. And so we have Maddie joining us and Drew. And why don't we just start here? Maddie, we'll start with you. Tell us a little bit about yourself, what you're involved in, and a little bit about your background.

Speaker 1

So I'm a junior at Willoughby South. I play volleyball for South, and I play club volleyball, so that kind of keeps me busy throughout the year. My favorite subject at South is probably AP biology. And I came to South as a freshman, so I haven't been in the district long. So I feel like that kind of biases my perspective a little bit.

Speaker 2

Great. What about volleyball? Pretty pretty uh uh skilled and aggressive sport there. So uh when did that call to you?

Speaker 1

Um I started playing volleyball in third grade for CYO. I kind of bounced around sports for CYO. I did a lot, but that's kind of the thing that really stuck with me.

Speaker 2

And then you mentioned AP Bio. Um that's uh kind of like off the norm a little bit. Tell tell me why AP Bio.

Speaker 1

Um I just really like the content. I'm really interested in it all, and I love Miss Mormino. I think she's a great teacher, and she really keeps my interest in the subject and makes me want to be there every day.

Speaker 2

So like when you feel that connection uh to the content in the teacher, it kind of helps, doesn't it?

Speaker 1

Yeah, for sure.

Speaker 2

And so a little fun fact, I was an AP bioteacher, so um I can really track with this idea that that's the best subject out there. No offense to the other subjects, but certainly uh I enjoy the sciences. So welcome to the podcast. Thanks for uh uh being willing to share your perspective today.

Speaker 1

Yeah, thank you.

Speaker 2

And let's start over here, Drew.

Speaker 3

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your story. I'm Drew, I live in Willock. I'm a junior at North, if you couldn't tell from the color coding. Wait, the orange? Is that yeah, I got it. Okay. Yeah, yeah. Uh I've b lived in the district pretty much my entire life. Uh I moved here before kindergarten for mentor, uh, and I've been in the school ever si in the school system ever since. Uh I'm in the marching band. Uh been in it for the past two years now, going on to my third and senior year. Uh had a lot of fun, gotta say though. Uh I think North South Day's definitely been the favorite, though.

Speaker 2

So North South Day, we're gonna unpack that at some point. Let's let's uh let's talk about the marching band for a second. Like, why that particular opportunity, what about that kind of drew you uh into that activity?

Speaker 3

The biggest thing for me has been the community. Uh it's such a great place filled with a lot of great people. Like I've never met someone in marching band that I wouldn't be comfortable just talking to, at least for some duration. Uh and it it just every Friday I just get to look forward to going out, playing my instrument, having fun with a hundred or so other people.

Speaker 2

That's pretty awesome. So like things like marching band and volleyball and and like having those connections with AP Bio, like ultimately that's what school's all about, right? It's about those like memorable, lasting uh opportunities we provide kids and then being able to tell that story, right? So thank you for taking some time. We're gonna unpack this north-south thing a little bit today. It's definitely unique uh to Willoughby East Lake. Uh, and I'm again so grateful you guys will shed a little perspective on that today. Uh one of the questions we ask uh guests on this particular uh podcast is about their origin story. Uh we're gonna kind of flip it for you. Like when you think about where you want to be in a couple years career-wise, uh and kind of like areas that that kind of are intriguing to you right now. Um let's kind of let's let's explore that. So, Drew, start with you. What what field area um are you thinking about?

Speaker 3

For the past while I've been thinking about accounting. Uh there's a lot of colleges in the local area that are pretty good with it. Cleveland State's one of the top ones in at least America for accounting as far as I'm aware. And it seems like it'd be a great balance of working but also talking, uh socializing. That's a huge part of it, uh making connections. And it's just something that I've enjoyed pretty much my entire time. So you existing.

Speaker 2

So you'll be a junior. You're junior now, you'll be a senior next year. Yes. So that means these conversations are starting to ramp up a little bit.

Speaker 3

Oh, yeah. I don't think I've gone a day this week without either thinking of what's happening or someone asking me about what my plan is post-high school.

Speaker 2

So I have a junior at home. You're going to inspire me to go home and start asking some more questions. I feel so sorry for it. So thank you for that motivation today, Drew. Um what about you? What's uh the future look like?

Speaker 1

So I know I want to go to school for pre-med. Lately, after like med school, I've been thinking I want to go into emergency medicine because I feel like I want to be able to be there for people when they're going through hard things in their life. But I also don't want that to be the only thing I'm doing to where it makes me like sad all the time for them. So I feel like emergency medicine is good because I get to help people through that and see cool things every day and just really experience a lot of different things.

Speaker 2

That's pretty uh pretty uh outstanding. Tell me about any colleges sticking out right now, early in the process.

Speaker 1

So right now, out of the ones I've looked at, my two favorites are University of Kentucky and University of Tennessee. I really like both of their campuses, both of their facilities. I think they're both really good options for me.

Speaker 2

So it sounds like you guys have a jump on this process. So uh again, I better get motivated myself at home with my uh son. Uh first thing tonight. Um so one of the conversations we have in Will Beast a lot is about future readiness. We talk about preparing students for their future, and we know the world's changing, um, and we know that there's a lot um that we have to do beyond just academics, right? And so I know you guys have been part of the student superintendent advisory group. We've had a chance to have that conversation. Like from your perspective as a student going into the world, right? Like what does future ready mean to you and and what can we be doing as a school system to prepare you for your future? Um start with you, Maddie.

Speaker 1

I feel like being future ready means being comfortable to take the leap and like put yourself out there not knowing what's gonna happen, because at the end of the day, like we are all experiencing for the f this for the first time, like everything's changing. And for us, like things are gonna be different than they were for a lot of our teachers. But it's more like our teachers pouring into us and making us ready to handle not knowing and making good decisions and being comfortable with ourselves to make those decisions rather than like giving us like a set outline of what we need to do. Because no one knows what we're gonna need to do. We just need to be ready to make those decisions that are best for us.

Speaker 2

So is there a particular skill outside of content, like collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, communication, um, resilience, empathy, you know, that that we you would see in our portrait of a graduate that jumps out at you as being something that that really should be intentionally an area of focus?

Speaker 1

I would definitely say collaboration. I think we do a really good job of that already. I feel like if you go into South and you go into a classroom, you'll often see a lot of people working together and helping each other out and really talking through things. Like you're not going to see a lot of silence. I feel like from based on what I've seen, I think we do really well with group work and helping each other out. Like say there's a student next to you who's struggling, I feel like I've seen a lot of people be able to go up to that person and help them. I think no one really is left behind, and I think we do really good with that.

Speaker 2

So it speaks to a really warm culture uh that supports the skill that's really important to the future, right? Yeah, definitely. Learning to work together, uh, which is something I would agree on. Uh you're gonna have to do no matter what future uh career you take. What about you from a the perspective of future readiness?

Speaker 3

I think it definitely kind of the opposite of what she said, the district it's got to teach kids kind of what they should be able to expect going out in the world. Obviously, like you said, there it there's never gonna be the same experience between two people, but there's gonna be a lot of similarities. Everyone's going to go through college or or finding a job or having to deal with getting someplace to live or a car uh and stuff like that. It's it's the same repeated experience. I feel like it's the job of schools to prepare students for what the outside world's gonna be like. Uh as one of my middle school teachers uh once said, the classroom and to a greater extent the broader district is a microcosm of adulthood, and it's the the job of the educator to get the student ready for that. Uh in terms of like stuff from the porch of the graduate that jumps out at me, critical a mix of critical thinking and empathy. Uh-huh. Because it's imp really important to be able to make your own decisions and make your own informed decisions, but you can't do if you can't think for yourself. But what's the point of you being able to make decisions if you're not able to grasp what the consequences of those are? If you don't have empathy, then you're not going to think about oh, how how much does this affect not just myself, but you know, those around me or those in that I'm gonna meet in the future.

Speaker 2

I mean, there's a lot. I really like that word microcosm, kind of that that's really intriguing. This idea that school reflects kind of the real world in some like uh simulated way where we get to make mistakes, we get to learn and grow into the people we're going to be, and we could be kind of supported and nurtured through that journey. Um Talk to me about the supports that you feel like you have at school as you're going through that growth journey uh to becoming a future graduate that that's gonna leave with a diploma. Um do you feel well supported with the people and the systems around you?

Speaker 1

Yeah, I would say definitely. I feel like the teachers, at least from my experience as teachers at South, I feel like they really pour into their students. And I feel like you can tell they care about what they're doing, which makes you care more as a student. Like I know when I see my teachers putting energy into class and pouring materials into me and doing things that benefit me out of their way that they didn't need to do, I feel very supported. And even when I'm failing or when I need to reach out for help, I feel very supported. I I feel like you can definitely tell your teachers care and they're willing to go the extra mile for you if you're willing to push yourself because at the end of the day, they just want you to succeed. And I feel really supported with all of them.

Speaker 2

That's remarkable. What about you, Drew?

Speaker 3

I I think I have to agree. Uh for the most part, any all the teachers that I've had have done have gone above and beyond in trying to make sure that their students and myself and the rest of them uh succeed. Uh I've had multiple of them say that they'll do anything that they can to work with a student to make sure that they grasp what they're supposed to be.

Speaker 2

I don't disagree. As someone who gets to interact with both campuses a lot and work with uh our educators, definitely a special place from that perspective. Um North and South, two distinct uh campuses. You know, there's this kind of like rivalry week that we have, this really spirited experience that that occurs here and usually in the fall, October. Um talk to me about school spirit. Talk to me about uh what it's like, especially during that particular week, uh, to be a North Ranger or a South Rebel. And um how how have we uh honored those traditions here in Will Beast Like?

Speaker 3

I feel like it's been I mean it's been like this for the past ever. Uh my mother and father were South Rebels, my grandparents were North Rangers. Uh and I feel like there's uh just a weight to it that it perpetuates itself and the spirit week. Like throughout the rest of the year, people usually do not care about wearing North or South Pride, from what I've seen at least. Uh or just I'm not a whole lot about school spirit, but spirit week hits and it's just it's an energy. It's in the air. Everyone feels it. It's exciting. Uh it doesn't matter what the schools do to make it exciting, it's just everyone's looking forward to the big game on Friday.

Speaker 2

It's pretty cool. Maddie?

Speaker 1

Yeah, um, I think it's an energy that there's almost nothing like, especially during North South week for football. I feel like it brings a sense of community that is hard to find elsewhere because even the people you don't have much in common with and you wouldn't usually talk to, you guys are all like there some or at least for us, not you guys are all there supporting South. You guys are all wanting South when you guys are all pushing for that. And it just gives some everyone something in common that we can all kind of come together with. And I feel like, especially with United Way and fundraising, I feel like that puts us miles ahead of where we could be, just by allowing us that like sense of community and that pride for ourselves that we carry with us throughout the year.

Speaker 2

Yeah, there's an overwhelming history of generosity during that week as well, when I think about how much uh many dollars we've raised for uh you know good causes that we've given back to the community. So it's definitely a source of pride from my perspective. We often uh talk here, and we'll be like about one graduate, right? We have one graduate, two schools. Um, but it it's unfair not to name uh that spirit week really purposely here, because it is a special week for sure. Um so let's stick with the theme of North and South. So think about your experience at school. And if you had to come up with three things you'd want to share with just someone listening today about what makes your campus that you attend special from a high school perspective, um let's kind of unpack that a little bit today. So uh we'll start, Maddie, with you. Um what would be those top three things when you think about it? You've been at South for a couple years. Like what would you want to tell uh some of our listeners?

Speaker 1

I feel like my first thing would definitely be the opportunities. I would say if you're looking for a school to go to, if you're in the Willoughby South district, or Willoughby So I would say definitely take advantage of the opportunities you're presented with. Even if you feel like it's gonna be a challenge, you have so many supporters, everyone's there wanting you to succeed, you have so many resources, take advantage of them and use them when you can. I think we offer a lot of great opportunities class-wise with AP, honors, flex, power, all these new ideas. In tech, I feel like there's so many opportunities for each person, no matter who you are, what you want to do. So I definitely say take advantage of those while you can.

Speaker 2

So so you'd say that um there's so many opportunities that exist that we can match like the unique needs uh and areas of interest to the individual learner?

Speaker 1

Yeah, I think there's definitely something for everyone for sure.

Speaker 2

That's that's pretty neat to hear. Drew.

Speaker 3

It's not an issue of not having anything to point out as stand out, just there's so much in the school that stands out. Uh I think though for me it's easily the community. Uh like you hear about all the time in other schools how there's so many issues with students fighting all the time or just not being able to be in the same room as each other for more than two seconds and be friendly. But like there's nobody at North that I could see being like that. I mean, even people that are visibly at odds with each other and just have a history of not liking each other can at least be friendly for a little bit. There's no crazy long-standing animosity between anyone.

Speaker 2

That's outstanding. So you you talked about like the heart of the school community. Uh and I agree, uh, when I visit North High School or South High School, like it's just warm and I'm always feel welcomed. And we have we have some remarkable students here, and we'll be s like and again, I could brag a little bit here because I get the chance to visit all of our campuses uh and talk to our amazing students. And uh again, uh I I would put you guys uh second to anyone uh you know in the United States. So um community spirit, right? When you talk about opportunities, you you mentioned um like flex. Like what is flex?

Speaker 1

So flex are classes where you are in the room for part of the time learning, and then on flex days, your teacher lets you out in the room, out of the room into like a hallway or communal workspace to work through it with yourself and your peers, but they're still available if you need help. Like if you're struggling in the class on flex days, they'll usually keep you back there to give you more one-on-one help to make sure you're getting the help you need.

Speaker 2

So it provides more of that like individualized kind of opportunity to have a conversation with your teacher if you needed it. Um because sometimes in high school, if you if you get stuck on a math problem, you have to wait until your teacher's free, you're free, you have to find that time. But flex provides you with that opportunity to just get the help right there?

Speaker 1

Yeah, absolutely.

Speaker 2

That's pretty cool. Let's pivot a little bit and talk about like the role of technology in your life. Have you what what what role does technology, cell phones, uh computers, AI play in your life as you as you're growing up and going through these school years?

Speaker 1

I definitely think it can be a tool. And I think, at least with my experience with South, I feel like teachers have done a really good job balancing technology and work without it, because I feel like we can't over-rely on technology, especially with all of AI coming out. We still need to be able to do things for ourselves. So I feel like they've also done a good job providing options because some people learn better writing with the pencil, and some people learn better typing at a computer. I personally like using pencil and paper better, and I feel like my teachers have done a very good job accommodating that. So the person next to me who does better typing things out and using their Chromebook can have easy access to what we're doing, and I can also have easy access to what we're doing through papers, and we'll still get the same quality learning, same quality results. And I think that's really great.

Speaker 2

So balance is the word. That's that's pretty uh insightful.

Speaker 3

What about you? Role of technology? Aaron Powell For me, I think it's both as an incredibly useful aid and tool. Uh having t used both a graphing a physical like TI-80 graphing calculator and Desmos, it's like night and day the difference between the two. Uh I cannot imagine having to go through uh any any of the math really that I've done in high school. Uh having to use like a physical graphing calculator, or God forbid, like a slide rule uh just to solve things when I can plug things into Desmos and it's visualized right there, and I can use that to help work out why this I got to this from this. Uh it's the same with AI. Uh like it at this level, most teachers they don't so much care about the answer as how you got there. Uh in chemistry and math, for example, both of my teachers they give you partial credit as long as you d show your work. Because I mean, it's they're both meant to both teach critical thinking, and the only way you could do that is by seeing where you went wrong in the logical process. And AI can be a great tool for that. It doesn't just tell you the answer, it shows you how it got there.

Speaker 2

So kind of like your personal assistant, coach, tutor, right there all the time, helping you uh through the thinking process, right? Which is a theme that came up on a previous podcast. We talked a lot about like making sure you don't offload all the thinking to the machine. That you do the hard part first yourself, right? I think there's some merit in that, right? Yeah. It sounds like that balance that you talked about is really uh how you get there, right? Paper and pencil works still, right? Um we we also have done on this podcast this kind of um uh exchange around it, giving advice to certain groups, right? And so we're gonna try this. We'll see how it goes, all right? And so let's start with if you were sitting at a table with the superintendent of Willoughby East Lake Schools and you had a chance to give him any piece of advice or insights, like what would that advice or insight be? Um and so I'm gonna start with Drew. What do you got?

Speaker 3

I the biggest one is just keep keep taking the path that you've been taking. I mean, I've not heard a bad thing about you from anyone in the district. Nobody is complaining about where it's going, from what I've heard, at least. And it's a random student, so who knows?

Speaker 2

Uh you're not a random student, you're a very important key communicator and stakeholder right now.

Speaker 3

But regardless, uh like and I've seen visible growth and change in the district for the better.

Speaker 2

You know, I tell people all the time. Certainly not my school district, right? Belongs to uh the 66,000 people uh that live on the western end of Lake County. Uh this is their school. And so what do we want for our children, right, in our future? It's uh so I I appreciate your feedback and we'll keep working on that. What about you?

Speaker 1

I haven't been here as long, so I can't speak on how it's changed, but based on what I've been here, I would say definitely keep focused on community building. Because the community I've found here since I've came here has actually been remarkable. I've never walked into a room and worried about not having a friend or not having someone to talk to, whether it be like a teacher or a classmate, there's always someone for everyone. There's always someone there for you, and you know someone has your back. And it's feels really comfortable having someone have your back when you're taking leaps and doing tough things.

Speaker 2

So I think you speak to the heart, right? Like the heart of who we are as a school district and as someone who's got children in the school system and someone who's lived here a long time. Um I can't agree more. Like the adults in this system care deeply, uh, and s our students uh certainly um should know they belong here because uh it is a special place for sure. Uh and so I appreciate that that heartfelt testimony, and I appreciate the opportunity for you to just give me that straight talk because theoretically you are sitting at the table with the superintendent and and so like That's pretty neat to have that conversation, right? Uh let's take the advice outside of this room. If you could give the any advice uh or insight to a uh incoming middle schooler who's going to high school, so you think about eight to nine, like what would you tell an eighth grader coming to high school next year at either one of your high schools so that that they could be most prepared for what's next?

Speaker 3

Yeah, let's go there. Get involved. That's the most simple thing. Oh no. Sorry. But yeah, just getting involved in sports or clubs or marching band. Shameless plug. Shameless plug, marching band, color guide clinics are going on right now. Anyways, uh just getting involved in stuff. That's the easiest way to find where you belong. Even if you don't like it at first or if you just don't enjoy what you're doing, there's always more options. And you never really need to worry about affordability either, because there's reduced prices depending on what uh if you get reduced lunch or free lunch. There's not and most clubs either have their own money or don't need it. There's no limitation.

Speaker 2

To get involved. To get involved. Yeah. I like that. You want to know why I like that? I would tell when I was high school principal, I would tell families there's three keys to success. And one of those keys were make sure your child gets involved. So we're trekking on that one. What about you? Other than he stole that one from you.

Speaker 1

I hate to copy, but I would definitely continue with the get involved because coming from a private school, I didn't really know anybody in the district. And I was so scared starting my freshman year. I was so worried I wouldn't have any friends. And that first day was looking really scary for me. But getting involved, especially with volleyball over the summer and starting lifts for that over the summer, where I was introduced to so many people from so many different sports, I feel like that really helped me find people that I could rely on, especially during that first year and even now. Like the friends I've made through volleyball and through the weight room and through all the activities I've picked up, I still have today, and they're really my people. So I just I really recommend that anyone find something, get involved with, try out different things. Like not everything might be your thing, but you can't say you didn't try.

Speaker 2

So I like that. So you guys doubled down on get involved, which like I said, it's one of my three keys to success, right? You might be wondering like what are the other two, right? So that I'm just gonna tell you and have you react to it because you kind of touched on it, right? You touched on the idea that every person deserves an advocate and a champion, right? Like so I tell like uh students coming into high school, like make sure you get connected to one adult that will be your champion, someone who will s go go to bat for you, someone that will be that person who when when things get tough you can talk to. Um we talked a little bit about that sense of connection. Like, do you feel like in your classrooms and in your in the school communities that you're part of that you have that one advocate or champion that that's in your corner?

Speaker 1

Yeah, definitely. I would argue that I have multiple. I feel like all of my teachers I can go to with a problem, and I know they'll be there for me personally and as a student. Even if it is a personal problem, I don't feel comfortable going to anybody else, I know I can rely on at least one or two of my teachers to carefully like keep that information themselves and help me through that. Because they're really here for you at the end of the day. And I know each and every one of them care about me so much, and I care about them too.

Speaker 2

That's outstanding. And so you're two out of three. The third is choose your peer group wisely. So but we'll leave that one for a future conversation. Drew, we're gonna we're gonna pivot now because recently you were a guest columnist uh in our uh community uh you know update, yes?

Speaker 3

Uh yeah, just a minor little thing.

Speaker 2

Any, you know, I just want to call attention to your famous now. So um anything in that article stick out that you want to share with our listeners today?

Speaker 3

I mean, really, I already said it, just get involved in stuff. Uh there's nothing to ever regret about doing something new in this district. Even if it's for one day you go to one practice for a team and you decide to drop it. You still tried something new. It's a you've discovered things and you know for the future, hey, I don't enjoy this. Or maybe you really loved it. It's how you learn and how you find everything.

Speaker 2

So I'm gonna tell you right now how proud I am of both of you guys. Like you came here today, we asked you to come on a podcast, you guys were like, sure. Uh you didn't even hesitate. Um and you you literally uh have sat here and endured this wonderful conversation and and spoke from your heart about your experience, I know, very difficult, but we we got uh we made some serious uh headway today. I have two final thoughts that I kind of want to pack here and and and then we can kind of wind this down and uh hopefully get you back to some learning or something today, you know, and uh or something like that. But I always like to ask people generally about what they're feeling hopeful about. And so and that can be about your school experience, that could be about going into your senior year. Um there's really no parameters on that, but what but what hope can you offer us? Because um I think hope's a powerful, a powerful thing. So let's start with uh Maddie this time, so that uh this time Drew doesn't steal your answer.

Speaker 1

Um I feel really hopeful for my future. I feel like my teachers and my community have prepared me for it. I feel well prepared to make decisions and to be confident in them, and I feel like I've made good connections that'll last me past high school that I know I can count on.

Speaker 2

That's uh I mean how do you not leave this conversation feeling hopeful about that? Hopeful, uh Ness.

Speaker 3

I'm hopeful for like what everyone else is going to be doing after high school. I don't I I don't think I've met a single person that I haven't thought you're gonna do great things someday. There's so many amazing, wonderful people in this district that are just so bright and that I future is in good hands. That's all I can think.

Speaker 2

Well I mean I think you're leaving me with some uh really encouraging uh things today uh about uh the Willoughby-Eastlake experience collectively. And so final parting thoughts that you'd have today. So we'll give you a second to kind of you know muster up those thoughts. Um again, can't can't be more appreciative of your time today, uh representing the South community, representing the North community, but most importantly, representing the Will Be Slake uh student and the experience we try and provide here. You know we tell people all the time we're not perfect, right? We are a work in progress, uh as uh we should be. But I know this for sure that we have people showing up every single day to make sure the experience you have is the best. Uh and so what what parting words of wisdom or thoughts would you want to share with uh our listeners today as we uh wind this conversation down? And again, I'm gonna start with Maddie so that uh you know Drew doesn't steal the the wisdom. Go ahead.

Speaker 1

I'd say enjoy it while you can. It goes fast, and high school can be rough. There's a lot of changes, but just embrace the changes and try to live in every moment because even the hard things will teach you a lesson. And just really try to leave with no regrets because this is just a chunk of your life and you want to go learning from it, but also remembering it fondly.

Speaker 2

I think no truer words have been spoken. Like it goes fast, so enjoy the ride, especially the high school years, because they should be uh amazing and fantastic years. Um Drew, what do you got?

Speaker 3

Hate to beat a dead horse, but get involved. Get involved.

Speaker 2

Wait a minute, wait, get involved. I got that message long and clear to me.

Speaker 3

But but specifically, get involved in student leadership stuff.

Speaker 2

Okay.

Speaker 3

It being in all the student leadership things I've been has been the single greatest opportunity I've ever had. It's opened my eyes on just how things work.

Speaker 2

So how important is student voice from your perspective? I thought I I said I was gonna stop, but uh let's just go there real quick.

Speaker 3

Student voice is what's been guiding this district for the past what three years now, two years, four years now? However long you've had the uh s advisory committee going on. Uh and without uh the student's voice, you just get a soulless school where it's you just walk between rooms and hear people rabble on. It's boring, it's not fun, and it leads to stagnation, which is the death of progress.

Speaker 2

Profound and weighty right there and heavy for this late conversation. What about student voice from your perspective, Maddie?

Speaker 1

I think it's really important because you can't please the people if you're not talking to the people. And I mean, we are the ones experience it, we're the ones who are gonna use it later in our life. So I feel like our voice in our education is very important, and I'm very grateful that we've been able to place our voice in our education because I think that's definitely made it a place where the majority of people are much happier to be.

Speaker 2

Well, boy, that's some great insights for the superintendent today to walk away from. The idea that people's voice matters and you gotta listen more and you gotta get out there and make sure that you continue to do this important work. I want to thank both uh Maddie and Drew for your time today and uh coming on the podcast to share your insights. And I want to also spend a few minutes today thanking everyone who's listening or watching. We appreciate uh your continued um presence here on the Perspectives Podcast. See you soon.

Speaker

Thanks for joining us on this episode of Perspectives. Today's conversation reminds us that the high school years are filled with opportunities for students to expand their thinking, explore their interests, and plan their next steps after graduation. We learned how they built friendships, relied on the adults in their lives for advice and support, all while discovering more about themselves to chart their paths for the future. We appreciate Drew and Maddie for sharing their time, their experiences, and their hopes. And we thank you for taking the time to listen and reflect with us.