An artist whose name will not be mentioned once said the prophetic words, “Listen to the kids bro.” For our Feb. 4 Respond to Racism meeting, we will be doing just that. This special community meeting will feature a packed panel of students from both Lake Oswego and Lakeridge High School who are heavily involved in equity work in their respective schools and communities.

The fact is, too often we find ourselves talking about young people but not talking to them, and perhaps more importantly, listening. As a concerned community, it’s understandable that we spend so much time discussing what’s happening in the schools. Young people are often facing the brunt of institutional racism and inequity. They are also, more often than not, the vanguard of enacting change on these issues. This is no different here in LO.

On Feb. 4, we will be dedicating the entire meeting to giving students from both high schools the platform to share their stories, discuss their work, and enlighten concerned community members on how we can better support them. Whether you’re new to RTR or a regular attendee of our monthly meetings, you will not want to miss this!

Meet the panelists:

Natalie Goldberg Lakeridge High School

Junior Groups: Lakeridge HS Equity Council; Youth leadership council; Students for change

Mya Gordon Lakeridge High School

Junior Groups: President of Lakeridge HS Equity Council; Diversity Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee to the School Board

Sera Lew

Lake Oswego High School

Junior

Groups: Diversity Council; Unity Club; ASB

Max Herrera Lakeridge High School

Senior Group: Lakeridge HS Equity Council

Penelope Spurr

Lake Oswego High School

Junior

Groups: JSU; School Board Student Rep; Co-founder Students for Change; Editor of Lake Views; Student columnist for the LO Review

Claire Fennell Lakeridge High School

Junior Groups: Lakeridge HS Equity Council; Youth Leadership Council

Margo Sidline

Lake Oswego High School

Senior

Groups: Secretary of the Lake Oswego Youth Leadership Council; Secretary of the LOHS Diversity Council; Editor-in-Chief of Lake Views; Student columnist for the LO Review

Lucy Adams: Lakeridge High School

Senior Group: Lakeridge HS Equity Council

Anna-Marie Guenther Lakeridge High School

Junior Groups: Lake Oswego School Board Member; Lakeridge HS Equity Council; Youth Action Council

Evan Melendez Lakeridge High School

Junior Group: Lakeridge HS Equity Council

Janelle Pranger

Lake Oswego High School

Sophomore

Groups: BSU; Link Crew Leadership

Anushka Nair

Lake Oswego High School

Senior

Groups: Enough is Enough Director; Co-Chair Diversity Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee to the School Board; Founding member of LOHS Diversity Council, and STEM Mentor to Under/Unrepresented

As per usual, the Feb. 4 RTR monthly meeting will run from 6:30-8:30 pm at Lake Oswego United Church of Christ. Attendees are invited to arrive at 6:00 for mingling and refreshments. If you haven't already, make sure to register (as always, registration is free).

#youth #respondtoracism #lakeoswegohighschool #lakeridgehighschool #racism #equity #institutionalracism #overtracism #intersectionality #education