From February 27 to March 2, eleven students from Bonner & Prendie joined nearly 100 high schoolers from across the country for the Founding Forward: Spirit of America Youth Leadership program. Held at the historic Valley Forge campus, this immersive experience challenged students to step into roles as civic leaders, debaters, entrepreneurs, and thoughtful citizens.
Students Jazmine Jefferson, Melvin Cambi, Maria Pucha-Sandoval, Junyu Xiao, Joseph Simon, Stefania Montoya, Nora Gilbert, Olu Oyefule, Krystal Wright, Mia Nepomuceno, and Aubrey Holden represented B&P as the only group from a non-military school. They returned with powerful insights and a newfound confidence in their leadership ability.
When asked about the purpose of the experience, AP Seminar teacher, Andrea Ciliberti explained, “We have consistently promoted leadership conferences and decided our AP Seminar class students would attend, as the course emphasizes leadership, public speaking, and stepping outside one’s comfort zone. Our students did not disappoint—they faced their fears head-on and confidently delivered spontaneous performances. We are proud of their efforts and look forward to even greater student involvement in future events.”
Civic Engagement Brought to Life
At the start of the experience, students were divided into groups with kids from other schools. These groups toured historic sites at Valley Forge and Philadelphia to learn about our nation’s history. They also participated in a series of experiential learning exercises, group projects, and engaging workshops led by keynote speakers—including historical reenactors like “Thomas Jefferson,” “George Washington,” and “Martha Washington,” as well as professors, lawyers, and military veterans. Thomas Jefferson’s lesson on how to frame an oral argument and debate respectfully was a favorite.
Students also had the opportunity to join committees based on their interests, including News, Public Speaking, Vespars, Flag, and Awards. The Awards Committee oversaw the Saturday night banquet, where students recognized each other with affirmations like “Kindest Person” and “Best Duo.” Stefania Montoya was honored with the Compassion Award, reflecting her leadership and warmth.
Two favorite exercises included editing and defending mock bills on the Congress floor and creating innovative products in a Shark Tank-style pitch. Joseph Simon’s group won the Shark Tank by pitching Danger Watch, a two-part safety device for adults and kids that sends alerts and tracks heart rate and location. “At first, I wasn’t a fan of my group because I was with people I wouldn’t normally talk to, but it got me out of my shell. We worked together to combine ideas from Life360 and Life Alert—it was about thinking ahead and solving real-world issues.”
Other student pitches included a smart bed that analyzed sleep patterns, a solar-powered lightweight car, and a smart fridge that tracked food inventory and nutrition, and suggested recipes for your fridge content.
History, Leadership, and Self-Discovery
For many, the most impactful part of the trip was how leadership was taught in practice—not as a title, but as a mindset. Stefania Montoya said, “It was interesting how they gave us opportunities to speak up. Once people become comfortable, they started to bloom and express their opinions. It helped me realize how powerful our voices can be in real life.”
Jazmine Jefferson appreciated the challenge of quick thinking during the mock trial exercise: “We had to present on the spot, without any preparation, which challenged me to think fast and stand my ground. It showed me how to be confident and assertive in conversations.”
Students resided in Founding Forward’s Valley Forge dormitories with roommates from other schools. They all agreed that it was awkward at first to be separated from their friends, but it challenged them to initiate conversation and make new friends.
Mia Nepomuceno added, “We were the only Catholic and non-military school there, so we are taught different values than some of the other schools. It took me out of my comfort zone and challenged me to see things from new perspectives.”
Lessons in Free Enterprise & Debate
One favorite activity among students was an interactive lesson on free enterprise. Students were given random items in brown paper bags and asked to trade them. “I started with deodorant,” said Melvin Cambi, laughing, “and I ended up with slime. It taught me how to work hard and negotiate for something better.”
Nora Gilbert reflected on the experience: “We were learning without realizing it. From government to economics, all of it tied into our AP classes. It’s something we can apply and carry forward.
Olu Oyefule said, “I learned how to debate while still respecting others’ opinions.”
Krystal Wright agreed, noting how the program revealed everyone’s unique strengths: “Some of us were writers, others were speakers or idea people. It taught us to value different roles in a team.”
Grateful for the Opportunity
The program was made possible by a generous donation from the Connelly Foundation, and the students were eager to express their gratitude.
“This trip opened my eyes to things I never thought about,” said Jazmine Jefferson. “It helped me grow as a thinker and a person.”
Stefania Montoya shared, “We learned that leadership doesn’t begin at 18. It starts now—with the values we chose and the courage to express them.”
“The Connelly Foundation gave us more than a trip—they gave us an opportunity to really get to know one another and understand what real leadership is,” said Maria Pucha-Sandoval. “We learned that leaders are made, not born.”
“I’m not in the same AP class as some others,” said Aubrey Holden, “but I heard about this experience last year and wanted to go. The experience taught me to speak up and voice my opinion - I’m so glad I went.”
“A big thanks to the Connelly Foundation – it taught us how to collaborate with different types of people. I learned a lot about myself that will profoundly impact my future decisions,” said Junyu Xiao.
The Founding Forward experience wasn’t just about history—it was about building the future. And for these eleven B&P students, who now see their role in history, that future just got a little brighter.
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