At the recent Thriving Schools Summit hosted by Kaiser Permanente, attendees gathered to explore ways to improve health and wellness in school communities. On a powerful panel titled Fight, Flight, or Flourish: Mitigating Fear for Better Health, two peer leaders from Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) joined Assistant Principal Samantha Tolan to share the story of their school’s journey with Sources of Strength.
Their voices reminded everyone in the room of a truth we hold dear: when students are given the tools and trust to lead, they flourish—and so do their communities.
A Panel Fueled by Lived Experience
The panel brought together educators, health professionals, and students, including:
- Gabriela Espinola, Student, FCPS
- Annie Pinto Kossa, Student, FCPS
- Samantha Tolan, M.Ed, Assistant Principal, FCPS
Representing both student and staff perspectives, this trio spoke about the profound impact Sources of Strength has had on their school community. “I walked away feeling incredibly honored, inspired, and grateful,” Samantha shared. “It was the best way to celebrate my birthday.”
Gabriela and Annie brought their full selves to the conversation, sharing how their experiences as peer leaders have shaped their confidence, connection, and hope for the future. As Gabriela said, “With these opportunities as young women, it only makes me believe that possibilities are endless.”
How Sources of Strength Is Shaping School Culture
Since implementing Sources of Strength, this FCPS community has seen real, measurable change:
- More students identifying trusted adults in the building
- Increased peer-to-peer support and openness during challenging times
- Stronger connection between staff and students
- More joy, more impact, more leadership—especially among peer leaders
“Our peer leaders have not only connected with students they might never have otherwise,” Samantha said, “they’ve created school-wide activities that truly bring people together.”
When asked whether the greater impact came from planning or executing these campaigns, Annie responded confidently:
“Both. We knew we were doing something good when we came together to plan. But when we saw the joy and connection the event created—it was incredible. That joy spread to every student who took part, and to all of us who made it happen.”
A Model That Works—for Everyone
Sources of Strength’s peer-led, strength-based model isn’t just powerful for students—it changes the game for adults, too. As Samantha reflected:
“In every training I’ve led, any hesitation melts away by the end. One staff member said it best: ‘This is one of the coolest things I’ve ever been lucky enough to experience. The sense of an even playing field between students and adults created something truly special.’”
Ready to Learn More? Let’s Connect
If you’re an educator, district leader, or community organization looking to foster connection, resilience, and mental wellness, Sources of Strength is ready to partner with you.
Whether you’re just starting your journey or looking to expand to more schools, we offer tailored trainings, Discovery Sessions, and ongoing support to meet your goals.
🔗 Explore the Secondary Program
📅 Register for an upcoming Discovery Session
📞 Schedule a conversation with our team
Let’s keep growing a movement where student voice leads, wellness is woven into school culture, and every young person knows they are not alone.
