Children Spotlight of the Week: Jayden Pennyman
This week, we shine our spotlight on Jayden Pennyman, a senior at New Albany High School, Ohio whose leadership, creativity, and service have left a lasting imprint on his school and wider community.
Jayden currently serves as president of the Black Student Association, where he fosters inclusion, cultural awareness, and empowerment among his peers. As co-captain of the varsity track team, he leads with integrity and dedication, promoting teamwork and school spirit both on and off the field.
His creative brilliance was on full display during the school’s Black History Month presentation, where he played a central role in choreography and production. Jayden also contributes to enhancing school communication as a co-director of the school announcements, using media as a tool to inform, uplift, and inspire.
Beyond the school walls, Jayden is deeply committed to youth empowerment. He is president of the Alpha Esquires Youth Development Program in Columbus, a group focused on mentoring and equipping young black men for future success. In addition, he is a mentor with The Ohio State Youth Preparatory Action Research Collective, where he helps design and implement student-led programs aimed at improving student well-being and peer engagement.
Jayden’s passion for storytelling and advocacy found a powerful outlet in his senior seminar project, which explored African experiences in filmmaking. Through insightful interviews with industry experts like Dr. Cynthia Turner and filmmaker Howard Clay, and immersive experiences on a live film set, he gained firsthand knowledge of the film industry’s potential as a vehicle for representation and cultural expression.
Jayden Pennyman is more than a student, he is a changemaker, a visionary, and a role model for his generation. Through every initiative he leads and every story he tells, he continues to champion equity, creativity, and the power of youth leadership.
