Tiger Tuesday at CHHS offers a powerful example of what happens when student leadership, authentic interests, and inspired collaboration converge. From an immersive Health and Wellness Assembly to CHHS student-led leadership lessons at CET, Tiger Tuesday continues to evolve into a force for innovation and student empowerment.

Students and Teacher Co-Design Allied Health Career Pathway Opportunities

An inspired idea that began as a longtime passion project of Physical Education teacher Marty McDonald came to life through student reflections in the CHHS STEM Concentration. That initial spark has grown into a meaningful exploration of career pathways for students interested in the allied health professions.

“I joined the STEM Concentration because I am interested in pursuing a career in medicine,” said tenth-grader Penelope Teague. “We talked about creating opportunities for us to explore potential career paths. When Mr. McDonald proposed a career day in allied health, we worked together to create a Tiger Tuesday program that could interest students outside the concentration as well.”

Penelope, along with fellow tenth-grader Eryanna Decka and Mr. McDonald, collaborated to design and facilitate November’s Health and Wellness Assembly and workshops. To give students a broad view of the many paths available within wellness and medicine, the assembly featured keynote speakers and guest presenters whose professions span fitness, medicine, mental health, and athletic performance, including:

• Eric Stone, Founder & Program Director, The Rewilding School
• Billy Thom, LCSW
• Rachel Wright, Doctor of Physical Therapy
• Lorna Kleidman, trainer, author, and eight-time Kettlebell Sport World Champio
• Lidania Cibere, professional volleyball coach

For Penelope, whose interest in cardiothoracic surgery began early, and for Eryanna, who is exploring a future in obstetrics and gynecology, Tiger Tuesday has opened doors that feel both personally relevant and academically energizing.

“There are career speakers, assemblies, and field trips,” they shared. “It has pushed a lot of students to try things during the school day that they might be more hesitant to explore outside of it. Even in our required health sessions, we’re able to go much more in depth because of the Tiger Tuesday schedule.”

Assistant Principal Ms. Fiorini noted the growing momentum: “Each Tiger Tuesday is becoming richer because we know what students are interested in, and the community is stepping forward to share their knowledge, passions, and professional experiences.”

Both Penelope and Eryanna trace their early passion for health and science back to their PVC years. Penelope’s interest blossomed through her year-long Passion Pursuit Project on human anatomy and physiology, while Eryanna first connected to the field during her eighth-grade Living Environment unit on genetics.

“Eryanna and Penelope are amazing,” said Mr. McDonald. “They helped with organization and spearheaded promotion within the high school on multiple fronts. A career day in the allied health field—sports medicine, fitness, health, and wellness—has been a dream of mine for so long. They share the same enthusiasm and sense of purpose in creating opportunities for all students.”

Tiger Tuesday has also been a source of professional inspiration for teachers. “This designated time allows us to tap into student passions, but also teacher passions,” said Ms. Fiorini. Mr. McDonald agreed: “Our administrative team at CHHS has built an atmosphere of innovation and exploration. That’s what Tiger Tuesday is all about.”

Leaders of Tomorrow: Modeling Vision and Empowerment for the Next Generation

While CHHS students were exploring future pathways in medicine, another group of Tigers was across town helping younger students discover what leadership looks like.

At 12:45 p.m., Leaders of Tomorrow, a CHHS student-led initiative, boarded a bus to Carrie E. Tompkins Elementary School to spend the afternoon working with third- and fourth-graders.

Leaders of Tomorrow emerged from a collaboration between CET Counselor Robin Wooley and CHHS student Nicky Mukherjee, both members of the School Counseling Advisory Committee facilitated by Assistant Principal Mark Maxam. When Ms. Wooley asked Nicky what would have made an impact on him as an elementary school student, he said it would have been seeing older students serve as role models. That conversation continued beyond the meeting, and Leaders of Tomorrow was born. Their mission: to help younger students understand what leadership looks like through role modeling, reflection, and positive example.

During each visit, high school leaders spend time with CET students during recess and lunch before leading classroom activities aligned with the week’s Tiger Tuesday theme. “Spending time with students during recess and in the cafeteria before going into the classrooms has really helped acclimate the students to seeing high schoolers in their environment. It transitions nicely into the classroom experience,” said Laila.

On this Tiger Tuesday, after ice-breakers, games, and shared cafeteria time, the groups moved into third-grade classrooms where they facilitated activities emphasizing listening, attunement, and collaboration.

The Leaders of Tomorrow prepare during structured periods at CHHS, using the monthly Tiger Tuesday theme as their guide. “Today’s lessons were about communication and teamwork,” said Nicky. “Every session we create new lessons and activities that allow student members to practice leadership skills in real time.”

“We come together to plan each activity,” Laila added. “Nicky and I act like administrators—we empower our members to design and lead their own teaching experiences. We want to promote leadership within the group as well. We give them the topic, and they run with it.”

The experience was as meaningful for CET staff as it was for students. Third-grade teacher Ms. Glynn reunited with 12 of her former students during the visit. “It warms my heart to see high schoolers want to come back and give back to this special community,” she said. “Watching one of my former students lead my class today reminded me of the qualities she showed in third grade. It’s incredible to see how they’ve blossomed.”

A District Vision in Motion

Tiger Tuesday offers a living portrait of the district’s commitment to experiential learning, mentorship, and student voice. Whether exploring future medical careers or nurturing leadership in younger peers, CHHS students continue to define what it means to learn with purpose—and to lead with heart.