our perceptions, and doing so for students, leads to innovation.“ I challenge you to think beyond your own discipline,” he said to the audience of educators.
Presenters represented a wide range of districts and institutions, including South Fayette, Beaver Area, East Allegheny, Elizabeth Forward, McKeesport, Plum Borough, and the Diocese of Pittsburgh, as well as Pitt, Penn State, and the Allegheny Intermediate Unit.
When South Fayette senior Haylie Goforth made the decision to step away from playing softball, she found herself searching for a new and meaningful way to spend her time. What emerged was @ CrowdedMindProject, a growing awareness campaign that combines her passions for mental health and fitness / nutrition.
Haylie originally envisioned a short-term campaign focused on eating disorders, but quickly embraced the broader goal of reducing stigma and providing support both online and in person. Her social media-based initiative has been beneficial from the start.“ I didn’ t realize at first that I was helping myself while helping others,” reflected Haylie.
@ CrowdedMindProject has gained momentum on Instagram and TikTok, where Haylie posts at least once a week. On Instagram, her posts are open to everyone and focus on themes like self-love, body image, and managing mental health. On TikTok, she takes a more personal approach, sharing her own experiences, including her journey with emetophobia, and the strategies she uses to cope.
Throughout the day, collaboration and curiosity fueled every discussion including reaffirming the critical role of the humanities in the age of automation and exploring emotional wellness tools like Lila, a custom AI agent designed for high school students and presented by South Fayette senior Pranita Chakkingal.
This year’ s summit sponsors included Paradigm Cyber Ventures, Magic School, Catalyst Connection, See the Good!, zSpace, Brain Freeze by Airia, The Children’ s Museum of Pittsburgh, Common Sense Media, Film Pittsburgh, Jolt Education, Promethean, SAM Labs, Terrible Workers, and TransformED.
As South Fayette continues to lead the conversation on futurefocused learning, this annual summit reaffirms the district’ s commitment to empowering educators to design classrooms where technology amplifies human connection, creativity, and purpose.
Senior’ s Focus on Mental Health
Word of mouth has fueled the project’ s reach, along with features on SLB Radio and in CanvasRebel magazine, Haylie was included in a Pittsburgh Post- Gazette article about social media accounts with a focus on mental health. Haylie also spreads awareness by participating in local events like Pittsburgh’ s Out of the Darkness Walk and Walk for PKD, and the South Fayette Homecoming Carnival where she partnered with the Chill Project to host an information table.
Since its launch in May 2024, @ CrowdedMindProject has garnered hundreds of followers on Instagram and TikTok, but Haylie says that’ s not what it’ s about.“ If I’ m helping just one person online, that’ s what matters most.”
Looking ahead, Haylie plans to attend a four-year college to study nutrition and dietetics, with the goal of earning her master’ s degree to become a registered dietitian. She anticipates continuing @ CrowdedMindProject throughout college, using the campus as a new platform for spreading awareness.
“ I hope to keep it running,” Haylie said.“ This project has already made a difference, and I want to carry it forward.” outh Fayette SOUTH FAYETTE TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
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