The CL Compass class at Western Reserve Academy continues to empower students to tackle real-world challenges and explore unique passions. Compass Speaks 2025 showcased the incredible progress and ingenuity of its participants, leaving the community inspired. Judging by the confidence displayed on the evenings of March 5 and March 6, one would never guess these expert presenters are high school students — some even speaking English as their second language! Western Reserve Academy takes immense pride in these Pioneers, knowing this is just the beginning of an impactful journey. The projects, ideas and yet-to-be-imagined solutions will undoubtedly continue to make an impact.
Check out the highlights below!
Keven Gong ’25 | LineCam, a solution for the absence of referees in high school tennis, provides digital line judging using computer vision technology. Keven’s product could be affordably scaled to bring consistency and fairness to the game.
Brooke Schumacher ’26 | Esci is an eco-friendly loungewear brand versatile enough for both athletic and social settings. Committed to practicality, fashion and the environment, Esci strives to responsibly fill a gap in the athleisure wear market.
Evanna Adou ’25 | Around Reserve, an interactive story map featuring interview pop ups of international Reserve students, aims to culturally connect the community in a visual and engaging way. Around Reserve is a tool for prospective families and current community members alike, designed to share WRA’s global footprint.
Raven Wang ’25 | The Reserve Photo Network (RPN) connects student-photographers to school organizations in need of visual documentation. Through capturing school events, RPN fosters community spirit and connects curious artists hoping to improve photography skills. The network’s extensive coverage ensures that events, which might have otherwise gone undocumented, receive visibility and have the potential to spark student interest.
Andrea Zhang ’26 | Coginet is a space designed to foster deep intellectual connections within the Reserve community as members explore thought-provoking questions about life and the world. The platform integrates both online and in-person experiences, constructing shared understanding, which ultimately builds stronger connections through diverse perspectives.
Tessa Lavi ’26 | Indoor Rain is a graphic novel designed for high school students to recognize different symptoms of depression. The written, visual and symbolic aspects of the comic act as creative methods in destigmatizing depression among adolescents.
Daryn Amos ’25 | The Wealth Wise Project strives to provide engaging curriculum, partnerships and workshops in order to build financial literacy and close the wealth gap. By integrating lessons into middle school classrooms, Wealth Wise builds skills during formative years. Through hands-on learning, real-world applications and widespread digital access, the program empowers students with the knowledge and confidence to make informed financial decisions throughout their lives.
Nicole Pae ’25 | Dance and movement is the inspiration behind Revive the Move, whose workshops combine traditional Korean dance with the more accessible contemporary dance. Through this fusion, the program preserves cultural heritage while making it engaging and approachable for diverse audiences. By offering interactive workshops, Revive the Move encourages participants to explore self-expression, connect with Korean traditions and experience the joy of movement in a dynamic and inclusive environment.
Stephanie Qin ’26 | Roommate Finder is a comprehensive web-based matching platform designed to connect future roommates based on compatibility. By considering preferences, lifestyles and habits, the system fosters successful pairings, helping to build positive living experiences and lasting relationships. Through its user-friendly interface, Roommate Finder streamlines the roommate search process, ensuring a supportive and seamless transition into shared living spaces.
Bill Wu ’25 | The WRA Insight Project provides an immersive virtual experience, making Western Reserve Academy accessible to everyone. Through cutting-edge technology, users can explore the campus remotely, gaining a deeper understanding of its environment, culture and opportunities. This initiative ensures inclusivity and engagement, allowing prospective students, alumni and the broader community to connect with Reserve from anywhere.
Claire Hua ’25 | United in Harmony brings live music to nursing homes, fostering community and connection through the power of performance. By sharing music with residents, the program uplifts spirits, encourages social engagement and creates meaningful intergenerational connections. Through these performances, United in Harmony enriches lives and demonstrates the unifying impact of music.
Isabella Haslinger Johnson ’25 | Diverse Discoveries is dedicated to amplifying diverse voices in STEM and inspiring curiosity in young learners, particularly among underrepresented minorities. By providing exposure to STEM fields through mentorship, resources and engaging experiences, the program fosters inclusivity and empowers the next generation of innovators to explore their potential. In addition, Diverse Discoveries is hosting a free pop up event at Old Trail School on Monday, March 10, from 4 - 5 p.m. for students in grades 3-6. This free, hands-on course aims to boost students' confidence in science through exciting, interactive experiments that spark curiosity and creativity.
Quincy Liu ’26 | The Reserve Music Network (RMN) connects the Reserve community with local musical opportunities, performances and experiences. By uniting individuals through a shared love of music, RMN fosters engagement, creativity and accessibility, ensuring that everyone can participate in and enjoy musical expression.
In related Compass news, Riya Hegde ’25 continues to advance her program Python Pals, aimed at empowering middle school girls to code. Stay tuned for free opportunities for girls to develop STEM skills!
Compass is a program spanning civic and global engagement, science, technology, arts, culture and entrepreneurship that empowers students to identify problems and offer solutions, while cultivating unique interests and talents. Participants develop skills in project design, collaboration, budgeting and leadership, applying personal passion to professional context. Our community looks forward to the culminating event – the Compass Expo – on Monday, April 28, from 5-7:30 p.m., in the Murdough Athletic Center Multipurpose Room.
