09/30/2026
Congratulations to Jayelyn Christensen, senior at Warren Area High School, as the Northwest C.L.A.S.S. Act Emerging Leader nominee for the month of September 2026.
Jayelyn joins sixteen (16) other students nominated by their districts within the IU5 to be considered as the selected candidate for the September Northwest C.L.A.S.S. Act Emerging Leader $1200.00 scholarship and the potential at earning another $5500.00 at the end of the 2026-2027 school year.
Criteria for being selected for the Northwest PA C.L.A.S.S. Act Emerging Leader includes the following:
• Effort – works hard and is persistent
• Character through compassion, honesty, trustworthiness, optimism, and responsibility
• Good citizenship
• Demonstrates responsibility
• Respectful to peers and teachers
• Serves as a positive/influential representative of his or her school community
If you are truly looking for someone who embodies these characteristics, Jayelyn Christensen is the obvious choice. Jayelyn is not a student who commands attention; she stands out because of what she stands for and that is something worth noticing.
As Jayelyn prepares for school, she begins receiving messages from classmates, though not the typical messages exchanged between teens. As Captain of the Protective Services program at the Warren County Career Center, she helps manage attendance and serves as a leader among her peers. By 7:40, she is at Warren Area High School for Madrigals, an audition-based singing group that represents the highest level of the choral program and performs throughout the school and community.
By 8:30, Jayelyn arrives at the Career Center where she spends the bulk of her day, but she does not sit in class merely listening. She works alongside her instructor to deliver instruction to her classmates. Her position as Captain was earned through an application, interview and selection process conducted by community members involved in public safety. She is well prepared for this responsibility. For four years, Jayelyn has served with the Starbrick Volunteer Fire Department. This is not just a line on her resume; she has earned her EMT certification and responds to calls outside of school hours.
At lunch time, Jayelyn heads back to Warren Area High School to complete her academic day in her core college preparatory classes where she is actively engaged and maintains high grades. When the 3:15 bell rings, Jayelyn’s day continues as a WAHS cheerleader through both football and competitive cheer seasons.
Jayelyn's focus is not recognition; she wants to help people and solve problems. Her goal is to work for a local EMS agency, gain experience and ultimately become a paramedic. She also understands the importance of inspiring the next generation of first responders. In 2025, she co-founded the Warren County First Responders Camp, a three-day summer camp introducing local youth to police, EMS and firefighting. Jayelyn helped develop the curriculum, organized speakers and work directly with campers to show them the opportunities available through service.
Jayelyn is not simply involved; she is committed. She balances academics, leadership, and public service while consistently putting others first. She demonstrates that leadership is not about seeking attention—it is about being dependable, stepping up when needed and making a difference.
