By RACHEL ADLER
Los Alamos

I am writing to voice my support for Lauren Coupland in the upcoming election for the Los Alamos school board. I have been a resident of Los Alamos County for 13 years. Throughout the eight years I have known Lauren, she has shown a deep commitment to the community of Los Alamos, and especially to creating and supporting opportunities for our community’s children.

Lauren stepped in to take a leadership position at the Los Alamos Jewish Center’s religious school in 2017 when the school was in a time of transition. Under her direction, the religious school thrived, with increasing enrollments, class offerings and community involvement. Lauren was instrumental in making sure the school came back stronger after being shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic, all while ensuring the safety of students and teachers remained the highest priority. Thanks to Lauren’s hard work, the school continues to thrive, providing a safe and welcoming space for Jewish children in Los Alamos to explore their heritage and develop a sense of pride and belonging in the unique community that is Los Alamos.

Lauren has consistently demonstrated her commitment to creating an environment where children look forward to learning. However, perhaps more important than the education they are receiving at the religious school, is Lauren’s development of a space where these kids feel comfortable in their identities, not in spite of their status as a religious minority, but because of the sense of community and support the religious school fosters. I know as a member of the school board, Lauren will fight to ensure all the children of the Los Alamos Public Schools feel confident and supported.

Lauren has always been a tireless advocate for the differently-abled in the community, fighting for visibility, accessibility and representation in all aspects of life in Los Alamos County. She will provide a much-needed voice on the school board for those children who often find themselves underrepresented or overlooked as a result of their differences.

I know she will bring her fierce support of all the children in the Los Alamos Public Schools to her position as a member of the school board and I look forward to the progress that the board will make with her help.