It's probably been too long since we've updated this site with a new blog... since our team is so heavily involved in student activities, it stands to reason that with the return of the school year we are becoming more and more active within our communities, with our young leaders and with promotion opportunities.

Team members, Dr. Bullock and Stephanie, recently sat down on the What's In Your Bag Podcast to discuss an amazin...

My favorite video on YouTube isn't about cats or people falling. In fact, it isn't funny at all. I want to tell you about the man who's in it.

It's a video of a gray-haired man speaking without notes to the families of veterans who never made it back home. And it will make you cry. The man speaks with a sincerity that is unusual for gray-haired men in dark suits. He has an authenticity that has clearly been earned from hardshi...

Mr. Mewinney

You know that oxymoronic trope about the the son of a policeman? They're always the one getting in the most trouble, doing things unbecoming of their parent given their occupation? That was me, only I was the son of a teacher.

Now I didn't really get into horrendous trouble, but boy, oh boy, did my buffoonish behavior try the patience of those who were, essentially, my dad’s colleagues and friends. I would do ANYt...

I was only about seven years older than my students when I stepped into my first classroom as a sophomore English teacher. Wanting desperately to be taken seriously, I took pains to dress the part of a matronly curmudgeon.  Glasses perched just so on the bridge of my nose.  Scarf knotted smartly around my neck.  Shapeless dress.  Cardigan. Sensible shoes.  I methodically dismantled my identity as a fresh-faced twenty-something...

On Friday, April 3rd, Liberty High School's leadership students organized a dance at the Hillsboro Elks Lodge for students in the life skills program.  This is the second year the dance has been held at Hillsboro Elks Lodge.

Rick Shipley, a lodge member and the vice president of the Oregon State Elks Association Metro District, said the lodge sponsors the dance as part of a $2,000 Promise Grant from the Elks National Fo...

Be Batman, not Superman.

Have you ever noticed that Batman's movies fare considerably better than Superman's? Part of that has to do with Christopher Nolan being a slightly better story teller than Bryan Singer or Zach Snyder, but part of it has to do with the fact that people like Batman more.

That seems weird to say, like it almost feels wrong to say out loud. Some people have a problem acknowledging it BUT it's true so it...

Let’s face it, growing up is tough. There’s the expectations from parents, teachers, coaches/instructors, peer pressure, and let’s not forget the media telling us what we’re supposed to look like.  During our early teen years, we almost all go through a phase where all we want is to be accepted and fit in.

My self-consciousness began in 6th grade.  The older brother of a boy I had a crush on said I had a big nose.  Before then...

Ever the proponent of empowering young people to lead lives of leadership and love, Jon Bullock brings his unique stylings to the Oregon Association of Student Councils conference titled: "For the LOVE of Leadership"

His speech on "What's In Your Bag?" has been rapidly gaining attention as it calls for all people to examine themselves in a new way.

Never afraid to take the mic, Rhett joined with the Special Olympics Oregon and Valley Catholic high school to kick off diversity week. A week dedicated to the inclusion of all with a focus on those with intellectual disabilities.

The biggest thing is getting the kids to see a personal connection. So Rhett and team shared their experiences like how he grew up with a brother who has Asperger’s syndrome. And so, by giving...

If I had a dollar for every time I ‘failed’ at something, I would be a pretty wealthy person.

Sunday morning I received a text that read “Steph I am so sorry! Are you ok?” Yesterday I got home and my mom asked with a sympathetic voice “How’re you doing?”  I responded “Good! I’m fine” to both of these questions. I had just competed for the job of Miss Oregon on Saturday night for the last time, and ‘failed’ again.

Let me take y...