“This is a story of students who are dreamers and doers,” said CHHS Principal Dr. Laura Dubak.

Through the Leaders of Tomorrow program, high school students are stepping into mentorship roles with students at Carrie E. Tompkins Elementary School, building relationships and leading experiences focused on confidence, character, and social and emotional growth. For younger students, it is a chance to learn from peers they admire. For the high school students, it is an opportunity to lead with purpose and make a meaningful impact.

It is a simple idea, but a powerful one. Younger students see what is possible. Older students learn what it means to lead.

For Nicky Mukherjee, President and Co-Founder, the impact is deeply personal.

“When I was at CET, hearing from older students would have made a huge difference for me,” he said. “I really looked up to them. Being able to come back now and be that person for someone else is incredibly rewarding.”

The visits take place approximately once a month, with high school students spending one and a half hours at CET during Tiger Tuesdays, a part of the schedule designed to give students time to pursue interests, collaborate, and engage in experiences beyond the traditional classroom. Tiger Tuesdays reflect a broader district commitment to hands-on, experiential learning, creating opportunities for students to step outside of a traditional classroom setting, explore their interests, and apply their learning in meaningful, real-world ways. 

Each visit follows a natural rhythm. It begins informally, before any structured activity takes place. On the playground and in shared spaces, the high school students jump into the gaga pit, shoot hoops, climb onto the equipment, and move easily into games and conversation. Younger students gather around them, eager to join in. There is laughter, energy, and a sense of familiarity that forms quickly. It is a reminder that, even as they step into leadership roles, they are all still kids. Those moments matter. They build trust. By the time students head into the classroom for more structured lessons and activities, the connection is already there.

CET Principal Kerri Bianchi sees the impact clearly.

“Every single one of the Leaders of Tomorrow has risen to the occasion of being a mentor,” she said. “The younger students are so excited when they come. They have a level of authority, but they’re also attainable. The age gap isn’t so large, and that makes the connection really special.”

That excitement is echoed by the students themselves. A third grader in Mrs. Demasi’s class summed it up simply: “This is the best day.”

In addition to Nicky, the program is led by Vice President Laila Asghar, and Student Advisor Thomas Cornell. Their collaboration has shaped the initiative into one of the most engaging student-led efforts at the high school; nearly 80 students now participate.

In the classroom, those relationships carry over into thoughtfully designed activities. Students lead discussions and exercises that help younger students build confidence and better understand their emotions. In one activity, students compliment one another, reinforcing positive peer interactions. In another, they act out short skits and identify emotions, helping younger students name and process what they are feeling.

“It’s warm-hearted, and it teaches kindness,” said Charlotte, a participating student. “I have a lot of friends in the program, and I really enjoy working together to create the lesson plans and the overall theme.”

For many students, the motivation to join is rooted in a desire to give back.

“I joined because I like working with younger students and I hope I can be a good influence,” said sophomore Demetra.

“There’s a lot of thought that goes into each session,” said Thomas. “We’re always thinking about how to make it engaging and meaningful for the younger students, and how we can keep improving each time we go.”

Behind each visit is a great deal of preparation. The group meets every other week to plan, reflect, and refine their approach, using time built into the schedule during Tiger Tuesdays and Croton Thursdays. Those sessions allow students to think critically about what worked, what could be better, and how to strengthen their impact.

“Something really special about these bi-monthly planning sessions is how uniting they are for everyone,” said Laila Asghar, Vice President. “We have so much to be proud of.”

The program began in the School Counseling Advisory Committee, where members were reviewing data on student behavior at CET. The question was posed to the high school members of the committee: “What would have made a difference for you?” Within a couple of weeks, Nicky and his co-founder, Ellie Schwalb, reached out to CET counselor Robin Woolley with a request to talk further and a proposal for a new program. She saw the potential immediately.

“I’m impressed and excited for what this could become,” she wrote at the time.

Nearly a year later, that early vision has not only come to life, but surpassed expectations.

Woolley, along with co-advisor Tammiann Trudel, both note the remarkable growth of the program. Trudel has been especially struck by the impact on the high school students themselves.

“They have shown such maturity, empathy, and commitment,” she said. “You can see how much they are getting out of this experience. They are growing as leaders in real time.”

What started with just a few students has grown into a thriving program with more than 80 high school participants and connections with hundreds of younger students. More importantly, it has built something less tangible, but even more meaningful: a sense of connection across grade levels and a culture of students supporting one another.

As the visits come to an end, the strength of those connections is unmistakable. Younger students gather around their mentors, hugging them and reluctant to say goodbye, already looking forward to the next visit.

The program was recently highlighted at the April 9 Board of Education meeting as a powerful example of passion-based learning and student leadership. Student leaders shared their work and took questions from Board members, speaking with a level of poise, passion, and clarity that was described as both impressive and inspirational.

When asked how the high school supported them in developing the program, students spoke about the role of faculty and administrators in helping them shape their ideas, structure their lessons, and think through how the club could grow. That guidance, they explained, helped turn an idea into something sustainable.

When asked why the program has grown so quickly, students pointed to the sense of purpose it provides, the opportunity to make a real impact, and the strong community that has formed. While participants can earn volunteer hours, Laila noted that what drives the group goes beyond that.

“Everyone in the club is a leader in their own way and takes initiative, and the members see that,” she said.

Nicky added that the connection goes both ways. “A lot of high school students have siblings at CET or babysit for them,” he said. “As much as the younger students are excited to see us, we’re just as excited to go there.”

Board member Neal Haber noted that he and Anamika Bhatnagar had the opportunity to attend a Learning Walk that the group organized at CET and came away struck by both the organization of the high school students and the genuine connection between the students across grade levels.

“The reactions of the CET students were so heartwarming,” he shared. “You could see how connected they were.”