“We’re a small town school, but we have big city ideas,” a Pleasant Hill yearbook student shared with us during a recent Lookout classroom visit. 

That sentiment, that students everywhere have important ideas and perspectives to share, is what drives my work with Lookout in the Classroom. When students are connected to local news and the world around them, they’re better able to see themselves as part of it. It strengthens their readiness for college and career pathways, and most importantly, builds confidence in their own voices and sense of place.

During the past several months, I’ve had the privilege of visiting high school classrooms across the county, from Springfield to Oakridge to Eugene to Pleasant Hill. A number of Lookout correspondents have joined me, to explain their career paths and how they do the work of local journalism.

We are continually inspired by the exceptionally insightful and engaged students of our community, supported by their equally engaged teachers. At Lookout, we’ve known that teachers play a major role in motivating students and just since last November — seven months after Lookout launched — we’ve connected more than 400 Lane County educators with free access to trusted local news through Lookout for Teachers, the companion initiative to Lookout in the Classroom. But we’re not stopping there.

How can you help us reach hundreds more?

Through our One-for-One membership program, you can directly connect a Lane County educator with the local reporting they need. Every annual membership you purchase at $365 — just $1 a day — gives you access to all of Lookout’s coverage and provides a free Lookout membership for another local teacher. It’s that simple: you join, a teacher gets access.

Become a One-for-One Member Today

Many of you have already come forward to support this work as One-for-One members. Thanks to your commitment, along with generous community support from Emerald Broadband and local philanthropic partners — including the Chambers Family Foundation, the Mehlum Family Foundation, the Baker Family, and Dan and Peggy Neal — we’ve been able to provide these memberships to hundreds of teachers.

As we approach the next school year, we want to bring Lookout for Teachers to hundreds more educators. Will you help us get there? Join as a One-for-One member today and put trusted local journalism directly into the hands of a Lane County teacher. Current members can upgrade to a One-for-One membership here.

Teachers and school staff: sign up here using your .edu email address to receive your free membership. Lane County high school and college students also can receive free four-year memberships with their student email address, found here on the Lookout in the Classroom page.

Students: Don’t miss the annual Journalism Scholarship Challenge! The application deadline has been extended through Friday, May 15. We’re asking students to profile an “unsung hero” in their community. The top 10 entries will be published on Lookout, with three submissions receiving a $500 scholarship.

As the 2025-26 school year winds down, I’m grateful to be part of a community that invests in students, teachers and trusted local journalism. If you believe, as we do, that informed students and supported teachers strengthen our entire community, please join us as a One-for-One member. 

Thank you, Lane County, for your commitment to know more, every day.

With appreciation,

Olivia Desgrange
Community & Student Engagement Manager
olivia@lookoutlocal.com