Meet Molly, a 10th grader at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute and a current Peer Leadership Fellow. Read about Molly’s experience in 4Front programs and what she’s gained from her participation.
“I originally got involved in 4Front because my brother did it, and after doing Teen Service Council last year, I wanted to stay involved in a deeper way. Peer Leadership Fellows felt like the perfect next step because it gave me the chance to not only keep serving but also grow as a leader and take on more responsibility.
This program has helped me build really meaningful connections with people I wouldn’t have met otherwise. I’ve gotten to work with people from different schools and backgrounds, and through that I’ve learned how to collaborate better and understand different perspectives. It’s made my community feel a lot bigger but also more connected at the same time.
Through this experience, I’ve definitely grown in my leadership and communication skills. I’ve always been a really talkative person, but this program has helped me turn that into a strength. I’ve learned how to be more intentional with what I say, make sure everyone else feels heard, and balance speaking up with listening. It’s helped me become a more thoughtful and effective communicator, especially in group settings.
One moment that really stands out to me was at the Shabbaton at Pearlstone. Since I’m naturally talkative, I’m usually comfortable jumping into conversations, but this time I challenged myself to not just talk, but to really listen and make space for others. I made an effort to bring quieter people into the conversation and help everyone feel included. That moment showed me a different side of leadership, not just being heard, but helping others be heard too, and it’s something I’ve carried with me since.
Overall, this experience is going to help me a lot in the future, both academically and professionally. It’s taught me how to work with different kinds of people, take initiative, and use my voice in a way that brings others in. I think that’s especially important because leadership isn’t just about being the loudest person in the room, it’s about knowing how to uplift the people around you. Moving forward, I know I’ll be able to apply these skills in school, in future leadership roles, and eventually in my career, whether that’s leading a team, collaborating on projects, or advocating for others. This experience has really shown me the kind of leader I want to be: someone who is confident, but also intentional, inclusive, and focused on making sure everyone feels valued.”
We can’t wait to see where Molly’s 4Front path will lead next. Info Sessions for next year’s cohorts are in person April 14th, and on Zoom April 20th. Register at 4frontbaltimore.org/infosessions. Applications close April 26th. Apply at 4frontbaltimore.org/apply Who will you become in 2026-2027?
