Our horizons – Our stories

Let the leaders of the Student Council, Prefects, House System, and Broadcasting Team inspire our #HomeOfTheEagles to shape new horizons through the following stories.

Listening before making a decision

Before becoming President of the Student Council, Nguyen Do Tram Anh used to think that a leader needed to know how to make decisions and guide others. But after taking on the role herself, she realized that knowing how to listen can sometimes be more important than speaking up.

“Everyone in the Student Council has their own way of thinking and a different perspective. Sometimes, I thought my ideas were already good enough, but after listening to other members, I realized there were still things I had overlooked. I learned to take the time to listen to everyone, including opinions that differ from my own, before making a decision”, Tram Anh shared.

The former Student Council President learned that listening does not mean agreeing with everyone but rather knowing how to respect and consider each person’s perspective, so that every member feels that their voice matters. 

What is the most important quality of a member of Prefects?

“I used to have quite high expectations of the qualities a Prefect should have, such as courage, confidence, curiosity, and a sense of responsibility”, shared former Head Girl Le Ngoc An Nhi.

However, after experiencing what it was like to be a member of the Prefects, An Nhi realized that the most important quality is the willingness to improve oneself.

“To me, lacking a certain quality does not mean that someone lacks leadership potential. However, without a growth mindset and the willingness to work on themselves, I believe it can be difficult for them to take those first steps toward becoming a true leader”, the former Head Girl reflected.

Finding a common direction for individual personalities

During his time as Ignis House Captain, Nguyen Minh Tri realized that each member of the House had different goals and their own way of developing. Therefore, he chose to focus on listening and understanding each person’s strengths so that responsibilities could be assigned appropriately. At the same time, Minh Tri always sets clear shared goals for the team, so that every member is working toward the same goal. 

“I believe the role of a leader is not to push everyone to move at the same pace, but to help each person grow in their own way while still moving forward together toward a common direction”, Minh Tri shared.

Understanding each other to build a stronger community

Among many memorable moments during her time on the Broadcasting Team, Ly Bao Tran still remembers most vividly the experience of preparing for the “Good Vibes Monday” podcast for Peace Day 2025.

“At that time, I had the opportunity to listen to my friends’ thoughts, stories, and personal experiences – things that we normally did not have the chance to share with one another.

I realized that each podcast episode is more than just something for people to listen to. Through the stories we share, each episode can serve as a bridge that helps the PennSchool community better understand and connect with one another. This experience taught me that the work of the Broadcasting Team is not simply about creating quality content, but also about building a space where everyone can be heard, share their stories, and feel a sense of belonging within the community”, Bao Tran reflected.

Every journey of building a stronger community begins with small things: knowing how to listen, having the courage to change, and continuously striving to become better. We hope the stories of these former student leaders will inspire #HomeOfTheEagles to find their own voice and help build a strong and connected PennSchool community.