10/08/2026
Thanks Mr. Schmidt for joining our DMC students in the studio yesterday!
One of my favorite parts of the new Safe Routes to School project near East Middle School is the role student voice played in making it happen.
Years ago, young Trojans spoke up about wanting safer ways to walk and bike to school. They helped bring attention to the problem, adults listened, and people kept working on it. Years later, we’re seeing that vision become reality.
That made it especially fun to be interviewed about the project by Mason and Everly, two seventh graders from Trojan TV and Mrs. Jody Mackey’s Digital Media and Communications class.
They were total professionals — thoughtful questions and clearly well prepared. Thank you both for the invitation!
I also love that the interview happened on National Walk and Bike to School Day and that Mason and Everly helped with Cherry Knoll Elementary’s activities.
We talked about why this project matters not just for East Middle students, but for the surrounding neighborhoods and the broader community. Safer infrastructure creates more options for families and gives students another way to get some movement in before school.
Most of all, I hope this project reminds us that when students speak up, their voices can help shape their community.
Thank you again, Mason and Everly, for highlighting this important project.
Go Trojans! 🖤💛
