On April 1st, 2026, Renton School District (RSD) held their 3rd annual “Student Symposium” at the Renton Community Center.
The symposium was created by Vickie Blakeney, RSD Director of Student Support. The event brings together students and allows them to communicate and advocate for how to make the RSD a better place. It uses a mixture of student views and data points to create solutions.
The theme for this year’s symposium was ‘Rooted in Belonging.” Certain students from Lindbergh, Hazen, Talley, and Renton, all high schools, and Nelsen Middle School attended. Each school had about 20 representatives. Tana Peterson, RSD Social Emotional Facilitator, communicated with the schools throughout the preparation period. They each gave presentations about their ideas and what they’d like to implement at other schools.
Lindbergh presented their Student Summit; an event to involve students in how to better the school. Hazen presented Winter Fest, their yearly event to celebrate the season. Talley has Martin Luther King assemblies that inform students about Black History Month. Renton has Multi-cultural week, which promotes representation and community.
Each school made goals they want to work on. Lindbergh wants to integrate Multi-cultural week, weekly news videos, and awards. Hazen seeks longer lunches, peer tutoring, and late start Mondays. Renton wants to include all career fairs and rewards for good participation. Talley pursues collaboration with more schools’ sports teams, staff of the month, and club events.
The symposium is still developing, but its effects show. Blakeney states “schools have implemented plans and strategies that came from the symposium.” Lindbergh had a suicide awareness walk earlier this year and other schools were invited due to last year’s symposium.
All suggestions and feedback is appreciated for the symposium. Some suggest more communication and collaboration. Solyanna Tedros and Vivian Tran, 10th graders at Lindbergh, gave their opinion. Tran says “a networking system would be helpful for everybody”, and Tedros suggests “making sure [further action is] completed and executed”.
Multiple speakers attended including Romell Witherspoon and Steve Zakuani. Witherspoon is an actor and motivational speaker. Zakuani is a former Sounders player, team ambassador and broadcast talent. Both gave speeches about their stories about belonging despite struggles and hardships.
The Student Symposium will continue, changing and evolving as the years go. The objective is to empower students and bring together the RSD, and every symposium pushes them closer to the goal. As Blakeney puts it; “we want to help bring those to reality if we can – to impact not just schools, but the district.”
