Power of Community: KCKPS Celebrates Latino Voices
For more than a hundred Hispanic high school students in Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools, Thursday, September 17, 2026, was more than a gathering — it was an opportunity to be seen, heard, and celebrated by their school community.
Students from across the district gathered at Central Office for the annual Power of Community forum, an event focused on celebrating their accomplishments, honoring their culture, and reminding students that their voices and experiences matter.
The event opened with a welcome from KCKPS Superintendent Dr. Anna Stubblefield, who told students that the district recognizes them not simply for what they accomplish in the classroom, but for who they are as a person.
“We want to let you know that you are valued, respected, and we just wanted to take this time to make sure that we pour into you what’s important for your student-journey while at KCKPS,” said Dr. Stubblefield.
KCKPS School Board President Randy Lopez also addressed students through a video message, focusing on three values he said are especially important to him and to the Latino community: pride, passion, and being present.
Lopez encouraged students to embrace their identity and carry their heritage with them as they move forward.
“Be proud of who you are. That includes your history, your beautiful traditions, your culture, and where you came from. Take pride and never lose that,” said Lopez.
His message also emphasized the district’s commitment to supporting students, not only during their time in KCKPS, but as they look toward the future.
“This day is so important because it’s about you. It’s about all of our students, and it’s about how we can help support you. You are our now, you are our present, and you are going to continue to be our future,” Lopez said.
Students also heard from Alex Villalobos McAnderson, founder of Villalobos Vitality, an organization that helps communities integrate healing-centered, trauma-informed practices that support well-being.
After a brief lunch break, students were asked to get into groups and form a circle. The circle symbolized that no one person held power over anyone else in the group.
While in the circle, students were encouraged to open up to one another, be vulnerable, and share what they were feeling.
Each group was asked to discuss who they were, the importance of their culture, including family, language, and traditions, and how they could find their place in the community.
McAnderson asked students, “What is your story?” The question encouraged them to think about the power they have over their own personal narratives. She reminded students that they should not allow someone else to determine who they are or define them as a person.
For the students gathered in the room, the message of the day was clear: their culture, accomplishments, and voices are an important part of the KCKPS community, and their future is one the district is committed to supporting.
“I’ve seen this program grow in many different ways. My hope is that in the coming years the students are running the show,” said Climate and Culture Coordinator Dr. Lauren Hernandez.
KCKPS also has plans to have similar Power of Community forums for African-American and Asian American and Pacific Islander students.
A photo gallery is available to view the sights of the event.