ASPIRE Program (Achieving Success through Purpose, Inclusion, Respect, and Engagement)

Community Need: Students transitioning from middle school to high school need opportunities and encouragement so that they get involved in school activities and events outside the classroom.

Target Audience and Location: Middle school students at Canandaigua Middle School who plan to attend Canandaigua Academy in Canandaigua, NY.

Vision: We envision a school culture where every student feels connected and empowered to contribute to a vibrant and thriving student body.

Mission: To help students develop leadership and problem-solving skills through activities that deepen middle school engagement and prepare them for high school, making it a friendly, inclusive environment for all.

Project Description: Scholar Lindsey LeTran and her educator, Ashley Fisher, co-founded ASPIRE, an initiative designed to support a smoother transition into high school through leadership development and inclusive engagement. The project brings together students, educators, and school partners to design and lead leadership workshops, collaborative work sessions, and a culminating activities fair. With support from partners including Student Government, the PTSA, and Unified Sports, students take on meaningful responsibilities ranging from outreach and logistics to curriculum design, using reflection and feedback to strengthen the program and guide future iterations.

As a student leader, Lindsey is most proud of “my team for stepping out of their comfort zones. Each person has taken on something they weren’t initially confident in, whether that meant stepping into new leadership roles or finding the confidence to use their voice.”