Two standout students from M.B. Lamar Middle School, Julieta and Amanda, recently took their seats among the next generation of innovators at the Student by Student Technology and Leadership Conference. Hosted by the Region One Education Service Center (ESC), this unique event creates a space where students become the teachers, sharing firsthand knowledge about the intersection of leadership and modern technology.
The conference is designed to be a peer-led experience, allowing younger students to learn directly from their older counterparts. For Julieta and Amanda, the day was filled with insight into how STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) clubs and specialized career pathways can transform a high school experience.
The 8th-grade pair attended sessions where high school presenters shared stories of how these programs opened doors to future opportunities they never previously imagined. The event featured three Laredo Independent School District (LISD) high schools, providing the Lamar students with a clear vision of the academic and extracurricular possibilities awaiting them as they transition to the next level.
The experience was about more than just technology; it was about fostering the confidence to lead. Vanessa Silva, Digital Learning Specialist (DLS) at M.B. Lamar, emphasized the importance of exposing middle school students to these professional environments.
"Watching Julieta and Amanda engage with their peers and visualize their own futures in STEM was incredibly powerful," said Vanessa Silva. "This conference allows our students to see that leadership isn't just for adults, it's something they can master right now. We are so proud of them for bringing that inspiration and forward-thinking mindset back to our campus."
By participating in the Student by Student conference, Julieta and Amanda have become ambassadors for the potential of technology and leadership at Lamar. Their journey to Region One underscores the school’s commitment to providing students with real-world experiences that extend far beyond the traditional classroom.
As these 8th graders prepare for their upcoming high school careers, they carry with them a newfound understanding of how to navigate the digital and leadership landscapes of tomorrow.
Congratulations to Julieta and Amanda for representing M.B. Lamar with such distinction!