Leander ISD set the tone and led the way for students across Texas during PTA Rally Day at the Texas Capitol.

Students across LISD visited the Capitol Dome to speak with elected officials about the legislative session and with peers across the state of Texas about political activism. The group attended seminars led by elected officials, young professionals who work in state politics and peer students for a morning of learning on Feb. 25 before joining a procession of students and parents to the Capitol steps.

“Advocacy is the core of our PTA mission,” said LISD Council of PTA President Kathleen Schoening. “I watched Leander ISD students give their voices, listen and sit in reflection. I saw hope in their eyes that their voices mattered, were heard and could influence our legislative lawmakers. The Leander ISD Council of PTA’s would like to thank Leander ISD. Together, as partners, we will continue to back the future of every child.”

Leander High School senior Bri Branscomb set the tone for the afternoon, sitting on a panel discussion with students from Harlingen and Allen to talk to a room of 1,000 students about activism. Then, the state-champion Vista Ridge High School marching band led the procession down the Capitol lawn to the south-side steps of the building.

“I liked being able to speak to some of the senators and even students who had the same views as me as well as people who had opposing views to mine,” said Glenn High School student Adison McFall. “I think it was interesting to see another perspective.”

In the afternoon, the elected officials met with the LISD group to discuss legislative priorities and to take questions from students about safety, mental health, finance and special education. Legislators who spoke with students include:

 “I liked getting to talk to the representatives and senators about the current issues that are affecting us in our daily lives as a means of making those issues better for future students in our schools,” said LHS senior Mackenzie Jones.

In addition to the students and parents, LISD Trustees Grace Barber-Jordan, Trish Bode, Gloria Gonzales-Dholakia,  Pamela Waggoner, and Elexis Grims. The Leander ISD Board of Trustees adopted Legislative Priorities in November 2018 for the 86th Legislative Session.