Led by self-determined students, the Pennsylvania Youth Leadership Network (PYLN) has promoted encouragement, dedication, and of course, leadership at BHS through their empowering actions while helping those in need.

Active leaders in PYLN are junior Sophia Genteel (President), junior Erin Champa (Vice President), and junior Isabel Smith (Secretary/Treasurer). These individuals have changed the lives of those with disabilities by demonstrating acceptance.

PYLN’s main focus is developing leadership skills for youth with disabilities. For three years, PYLN has touched the hearts of others in the community. So far, this year they have done fundraisers for the National Diabetes Association, Autism Awareness, and Slater Family Network, and are currently selling homemade cookies in the hallway outside of guidance.

“The work we put into these fundraisers felt like such an accomplishment. It was amazing to see such a small group of students accomplish something so big,” Genteel said.

Last year, PYLN successfully raised over $1,000 for Autism Speaks by hosting several fundraisers such as car washes, bake sales, and selling autism awareness merchandise.

“When we raised over $1,000 it felt so surreal. Our goal was $500 but yet we excelled beyond what we believed we could,” Smith said.

In addition, PYLN participated in Night to Shine, a prom for children with disabilities, organized a wheelchair basketball game between the Lehigh Valley Freewheelers and our senior athletes to benefit Slater Family Network, and collected coats and cold weather gear that were donated to Safe Harbor in Easton.

As a whole, PYLN’s expectations and goals for this year are high, as they plan to spread their selfless actions to other schools.

“We are trying to branch out to another neighboring school districts to introduce and help start up another PYLN affiliate,” Genteel said.

PYLN not only leaves a positive impact on BHS students, but their actions go beyond school walls as well. Working diligently, they strive to raise awareness for disabilities through inclusionary practices, and organizations within the community that benefits everyone.

While trying to bring awareness of ‘invisible’ disabilities; meaning intellectual disabilities and perhaps mental health, PYLN is trying to spread the acknowledgement that having a disability does not always mean being in a wheelchair.

PYLN has overall impacted the lives of individuals in the community by the evident amount of work they put in to raise for disabilities.