As you trudge through the E-Pod clog and a hundred conversations filter in and out of your ears, everything seems like a blur until your eyes meet a familiar face and a heart-warming smile. The face of almost a dozen clubs, a member of the homecoming court, and a great friend: Avery Brown.
As a senior at North Penn High School, students have access to over a hundred different clubs and activities, but not all students take advantage of these opportunities. During his sophomore year, Brown decided that with the combination of an outgoing personality and joining an abundance of clubs, he was going to leave his mark on this school. One of Brown’s greatest achievements is his involvement in the Student Government Association as a cabinet member and social media coordinator.
“I’m involved in so many different activities. I’m in SGA, cabinet and senate, and basically I’m part of the committee that focuses on school spirit. I think it’s one of the most fun parts of our school,” Brown explained. “I feel like social media is one of the easiest ways to connect with our students because almost everyone is on social media. It makes people feel more comfortable and intune with student government.”
Brown works hard to put his welcoming smile to good use. As a Link Crew leader, Brown is one of many students responsible for helping incoming sophomores become acclimated to the maze that is North Penn High School.
“I’m also in Link Crew, which helps underclassmen. It’s very fun and it makes me feel like a leader or that I can help someone else with things that I needed help with my sophomore year. It feels like such a rewarding experience that I get to pay forward.”
Not only will you hear Brown’s voice laughing in the hallways, but you will also spread awareness for the struggles that minority students face in the public school system and within our community.
“I’m also in student ambassadors, which is a club that typically represents the minorities in our school. I think it’s very important to have a club that’s designed to help us voice our opinions because not many people see our perspectives in school and see what we go through. I think that having the ability to talk to administrators and teachers about our issues is freeing,” Brown shared. “Last year we had this day where we all just sat in the library and talked to older people about what we’re going through and it was great to have someone just listen to us for once.”
Brown is also heavily involved in North Penn’s AAAC, the African American Allies Club, as an officer and social media coordinator. AAAC does fundraising, school-wide assemblies, and monthly information meetings to help inform students on different topics or events that are currently going on in our diverse community.
“I’m also in AAAC where I’m an officer and a social media coordinator as well. I think it’s my favorite club in this school, it’s a place where I just feel so comfortable being myself. It’s a place I’ve found in this school where I don’t mind being a little too loud or having fun,” Brown stated.” We changed it from African American Awareness club to African American Allies club because we feel like awareness makes it feel like we’re here to educate people on why we’re here, but everyone knows we’re here and we shouldn’t have to teach people. It’s a club that we have designed to celebrate black culture in all aspects.”
By becoming a dedicated member to many different organizations within the school, it’s no surprise that Brown has made many genuine friendships. Although It’s hard to believe that everyone at North Penn doesn’t already know him, you can always find Brown making new friends.
“I try to hangout with different types of people because I don’t love having one little group, I guess. I think everyone has different personalities and different experiences and that’s what I love about being friends with so many different kinds of people,” Brown explained.
Being friendly has its perks, and Brown is living proof. With so many different types of friendships, Brown was a shoo-in for the homecoming court his senior year. The court paired 14 students, many of whom had never spoken before. The week-long event raised student spirit and created unforgettable memories.
“Homecoming week was actually the most fun week I have ever experienced. I got closer to different classmates that I wouldn’t have thanks to being on court. Meeting new people, dressing up daily, and the special treatment made it so much fun,” Brown shared. “Being on the court has provided me the chance to not only become friends with classmates and have fun dressing up, but also allowed me to represent people like me. I was the only black guy on the court, so it meant a lot more to me than people think.”
Many may wonder where Brown gets the time for all of these activities or why he does them; the answer is simple: he loves to give back.
“I joined SGA to see what my voice can do, but now that I’ve been in the organization for a few years I’ve started focusing on what I can do for others rather than myself,” Brown stated. “It’s important to see what we can change in the future to help others. My sister is in middle school and my cousins are in elementary school, they’re all in this district and I want to help them have a better school-life than I did.”
“Sometimes people can forget that we’re here for the students and not ourselves,” Brown explained.
Since day one, Brown’s most prominent supporter has been his mother, who instilled the values of community and gratefulness into his life.
“My mom has definitely been inspirational when it comes to giving back to the community, she’s very big on the idea that it’s not just about you, but it’s about the world you live in and the people you’re with. Being grateful about what you have is something big in my house and it’s made me grateful for everything I have and everyone I know,” Brown said.