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North Penn student ambassadors plan video and activities to boost belonging
Summary
North Penn High School student ambassadors presented a video project and proposed activities aimed at increasing middle‑school engagement and addressing disparities in opportunities for students of color.
Shrika Harikrishna, president of the Cultural Proficiency Equity Student Ambassadors (CPESA) at North Penn High School, told the district committee that student ambassadors will produce a video and related activities to encourage middle‑school students to explore extracurricular and academic opportunities at North Penn.
CPESA, a student‑led group that reviews the district'wide belonging survey every two years, identified two main challenges this year: some students report feeling disconnected from activities and the broader school community, and students of color reported limited access to resources and involvement. "Our mission is to lead by example, amplify student voices, and support both new and current students as they navigate high school," Harikrishna said.
The ambassadors plan a three‑phase project: 1) planning and developing the video and selecting a diverse group of student interviewees; 2) filming interviews and gathering footage on pathways including technical programs, arts, theater and advanced academics; and 3) presenting the video to middle school students and following up with panels or Q&A sessions to encourage discussion and collect feedback. The group also proposed an activities fair at North Penn to connect incoming students with clubs and organizations.
Board members and staff praised the student presentation. "No one nailed the mark like you did. It was engaging, it was thoughtful," committee member Mike McBain said. Dr. Bauer told Harikrishna she had represented the student body well and asked the team to return with updates as the project progresses.
CPESA noted North Penn High School enrolls more than 3,000 students and said the project is intended to "break the myth of a one‑size‑fits‑all high school experience" by reaching students before they arrive at the high school. The group emphasized that the video and follow‑up activities are designed to encourage exploration, empower students to define their own paths, and ease transition into high school.
The committee did not take formal action on the CPESA presentation; members asked staff and the student ambassadors to return with updates as the project moves from planning to implementation.
